Chapter 129

Nine and a half years before the present, Szeth returns to the Windrunner monastery as the new Honorbearer after Tuko's death. He discovers that Tuko had assembled ten rejected shamans in preparation for rebellion and learns that the other Honorbearers serve an Unmade called 'the Voice.' Szeth declares the Desolation has arrived and mobilizes the shamans to prepare for war.

Szeth arrives at the Windrunner monastery and commands the ten shamans gathered there to walk with him. Lead shaman Faraz-daughter-Daraz informs him that the ten have requested reassignment as traveling shamans, a significant demotion. Through questioning, Szeth deduces that all ten are skilled warriors and scholars who were rejected by other monasteries for rebellious attitudes, and that Tuko deliberately assembled them. Szeth reveals that Tuko had been planning a rebellion but backed down, waiting for Szeth's arrival, presumably believing Szeth could defeat him. In the monastery's well-stocked armory, Szeth discloses to the shamans that the other Honorbearers serve one of the Unmade, an entity called 'the Voice.' He declares that the Desolation has arrived and the Voidbringers have returned, and announces it is time for war. He expresses hope of recruiting one or two of the other Honorbearers while preparing the rest of their people for conflict, urging speed before the other Honorbearers can move against them.