Chapter 205

In a flashback set nine years before the present events, a young Szeth is judged by the Honorbearers after leading a failed rebellion against them. Despite his father Neturo's pleas for mercy, Szeth is declared Truthless and bound by an Oathstone, surrendering his agency to whoever holds the stone. He is banished eastward with his Honorblade, beginning his long servitude.

Szeth sits by a fire as the Honorbearer council debates his fate following his attempt at rebellion. His father Neturo has recently been given a Bondsmith Blade and participated in the council's planning, which Szeth only now learns. The Voice speaks to Szeth mentally, expressing disappointment that he did not kill his father to truly start a revolution, and cryptically states it will "harden" him over the next decade before vanishing. The council members—Pozen, Sivi, Moss, Vambra, Gearil, and Dulo—argue that Szeth must be punished to prevent further rebellions. They discuss having learned from the spirits of the stones that there are no Voidbringers and no Knights Radiant remaining; the true threat is war with other worlds. Neturo initially objects to harsh punishment, but when Szeth himself recognizes the logical contradiction—either his rebellion was justified and he should kill them all, or there were no Voidbringers and he committed terrible sin—he accepts that he must be declared Truthless. Szeth willingly surrenders his Honorblade and accepts the Oathstone, finding relief in no longer having to make his own decisions. The Voice inexplicably orders that Szeth keep his Blade despite the danger. After swearing the binding oath, Szeth is banished eastward and sold to a stonewalker. His father Neturo, devastated, embraces him one final time before soldiers separate them. Szeth resolves never to look back or question again.