Chapter 224

Adolin, recovering from near-death at Azimir, finds renewed purpose when Yanagawn refuses to flee and instead proposes using his thieving skills to sneak into the palace and seize the throne before Dalinar's confrontation with Odium concludes. A small force assembles to attempt the mission, with Windrunners Skar and Drehy agreeing to create a diversion. Dalinar, meanwhile, returns to Urithiru where Wit explains that the Stormfather holds Tanavast's memories, then walks with him through the mountain while speaking of a king's failed wager about noble breeding.

Adolin struggles with purpose and fatalism following his near-death experience defending Azimir. Maya reassures him that his life has meaning because he restored her, and that not needing help from others is pointless. Windrunners Skar and Drehy arrive with five squires, reporting devastating losses across all fronts—Sigzil is powerless, Leyten and Deti are dead—and the defense has failed everywhere. Adolin finds unexpected hope in his father Dalinar's impending confrontation with Odium. When Noura insists Emperor Yanagawn flee to safety, the young emperor refuses, declaring Azir still stands and he must remain to fight. Recognizing that Yanagawn was once a thief who infiltrated the palace with Lift, Adolin proposes sneaking into the palace to seize the throne room. Noura vehemently objects until revealing her maternal concern for Yanagawn's safety, but the emperor commits to leading the mission himself. Adolin assembles a small force from available survivors including Windrunners Skar and Drehy, blacksmith Sarqqin, warrior Kushkam, scribe Zabra, and others. Skar and Drehy volunteer to lead the Heavenly Ones away as a diversion. Yanagawn strips off his imperial robes to become a thief once more. Simultaneously, Dalinar arrives in his Urithiru chambers where Wit is waiting. Wit confirms that the Stormfather is a cognitive shadow of Tanavast holding all his memories, something Wit himself did not initially know. Wit then Lightweaves them unseen through Urithiru's corridors while telling an elaborate parable about a king who wagered he could raise a lowborn child to nobility—a story whose ending haunts Wit. As Dalinar walks, he feels a deep connection to the people of Urithiru and senses their souls, understanding he has become their champion.