57. Child of Odium

Venli inspects the unconscious Radiants held in the tower and discusses plans with Dul to potentially awaken a Windrunner to aid their escape. She later encounters Deepest Ones searching for the nodes powering the protective shield around the crystal pillar, inadvertently helping them deduce the nodes' likely location near windows where Stormlight naturally infuses. The chapter ends with Mazish arriving to report that another listener has been found.

Venli moves through a chamber where approximately fifty captured Radiants lie unconscious, each labeled with their order. She notes that the Windrunners are stirring more than other orders, likely due to one awake Windrunner roaming the tower. Meeting with Dul, one of her trusted followers, Venli proposes they attempt to wake a Windrunner to use as a distraction and advantage in their planned escape. Though Dul initially resists, he agrees it could help their cause. Venli offers to find a surgeon—a human in hiding—to care for the deteriorating Radiants, which would provide cover for gathering supplies. She then ascends to the second floor where she encounters four Deepest Ones (ancient Fused with pale skin and milky eyes) searching for the nodes that maintain the protective shield around the crystal pillar. The Fused explain that secretspren are useless in the tower and standard searching would take months. When asked where she would place the nodes, Venli considers suggesting they be placed where Stormlight naturally recharges them near windows, but catches herself and refuses to help. The Deepest Ones independently reach this same conclusion and depart to search the outer walls. Venli realizes that without secretspren, Radiants could use their powers undetected in the tower—a realization she and Timbre find both exciting and frightening. As she contemplates the weight of her leadership over her followers, Mazish arrives in distress to report that another listener has been discovered.