Navani’s Notebook: Dagger

In this interlude chapter from Navani's notebook, Venli practices her Surgebinding powers and communes with the stones of Urithiru, reconnecting with her cultural heritage through her mother's songs. She then orchestrates the rescue of an Edgedancer Radiant from imprisonment, risking exposure to help save Kaladin's life.

Venli kneels in a secluded hallway of Urithiru, communing with the ancient stones and recovering memories of her childhood with her mother and sister Eshonai. Through the stones' whispers, she realizes how Odium's influence has stripped away her capacity for love and family connection. She discovers and attunes to the tone of Cultivation, creating a small stone sculpture of her ancestors walking toward freedom. Later, she meets secretly with Leshwi, reporting that the Pursuer has found Kaladin's parents and posted guards at the infirmary as a threat. Leshwi warns that Raboniel operates on a grander scale than typical Fused politics, and they must watch her to preserve the world itself. Venli then discovers Kaladin is dying from untreated wounds and internal bleeding. Lirin refuses to help unless Kaladin accepts potential execution afterward, while Hesina agrees to assist. Inspired by Timbre's excitement, Venli offers to rescue an Edgedancer whose healing powers still function. She uses her Surgebinding abilities to breach the stone cell holding the girl, explaining she will pose as a human Stoneward. Dabbid creates a distraction with the guards, and the rescue succeeds. The Edgedancer agrees to help save Kaladin. Rlain thanks Venli for her heroism, but she remains uncertain about her true nature. Timbre indicates it is not yet time for Venli to speak certain words.