AFTERWORD

Chapter 149

Chapter 226

Overview

As Stormfall approaches, Kaladin and Szeth arrive at a rock formation in Shinovar to confront Ishar, while Adolin fights Abidi in the Bronze Palace throne room, and Shallan discovers Mishram's prison in the Spiritual Realm. Dalinar returns from his journey through the Spiritual Realm and departs to face his final confrontation.

Summary

Kaladin, Szeth, and Nale travel by wagon toward Ishar's location. Nale explains that Ishar took control of Roshar's power approximately three hundred years after the Shin attacked, becoming connected to the land itself and eventually viewing himself as its god. Kaladin learns from Syl that an ancient force called the Wind preceded Honor, Cultivation, and Odium on Roshar. A paradox emerges: Szeth cannot speak his Fourth Ideal unless he completes his quest of defeating Ishar, but Kaladin cannot restore Ishar to sanity without the power Szeth would release upon speaking the Words. Nale expresses remorse for abandoning Taln, and Kaladin offers compassion rather than condemnation. They reach the rock formation where Ishar stands with an Honorblade, and Szeth approaches him alone with Kaladin, the spren, and the Wind following.

Adolin and his team infiltrate the Bronze Palace through a hidden tunnel. Recognizing the suspicious quiet, Adolin deduces they are trapped—troops surround them at three positions. Yanagawn mentions a hidden door that is jammed shut. Rather than retreat, Adolin speaks of the fourth way a smaller force defeats a greater one: the human spirit's unpredictability. Adolin then discovers Abidi the Monarch sitting on the throne in Adolin's stolen Plate, holding the Blade of Memories. Adolin enters the throne room alone; the doors lock behind him with aluminum preventing him from summoning Maya.

In the Spiritual Realm, Shallan endures visions attempting to make her believe she kills those she loves. She recognizes these as lies and rejects them, drawing on her expertise in deception. The visions fade, and she emerges to find Rlain and Renarin waiting. Together they decipher that Mishram's prison is rooted in her mindset—her fear of deserving abandonment and imprisonment due to betrayal. They discover Melishi's corpse in a childhood room within the Spiritual Realm, with Mishram's heliodor prison cracked and smoking at the chamber's center. Mraize appears in the corridor; Shallan exits to confront him while the others remain with Mishram's prison.

Dalinar returns to Navani at the tower's top. He has lived through the memories of Tanavast and feels changed but uncertain of victory. Navani reassures him and urges him to trust his own judgment rather than the gods' influence. Dalinar thanks his supporters and ascends the stairs to the roof, carrying a copy of The Way of Kings.

Characters

  • KaladinTravels with Szeth toward Ishar; considers how to restore Ishar to sanity while grappling with uncertainty about his own final Ideal
  • SzethDrives the wagon and approaches Ishar to confront him; faces the paradox that he cannot speak his Fourth Ideal until defeating Ishar
  • NaleExplains Ishar's origins and his connection to the land; expresses regret for abandoning Taln during the Desolation
  • SylRemains in human form accompanying Kaladin; discusses the ancient Wind that preceded Honor and Cultivation on Roshar
  • IsharStands at the rock formation as the Herald the group approaches to confront
  • AdolinLeads infiltration of the Bronze Palace; deduces the trap and enters the throne room alone to face Abidi in single combat
  • YanagawnEmperor of Azir; accompanies Adolin's team and helps unlock the throne room, though the hidden door jams
  • NouraProvides knowledge of the palace layout and assists Adolin's team
  • Abidi the MonarchAppears in Adolin's stolen Plate on the throne; challenges Adolin to combat in a room lined with aluminum
  • ShallanEndures and overcomes visions in the Spiritual Realm; discovers Melishi's corpse and Mishram's cracked heliodor prison
  • PatternGuides Shallan in recognizing that her personas are tools for coping, not signs of psychopathy
  • RlainWaits with Renarin for Shallan's emergence from the Spiritual Realm; enters Mishram's prison chamber with her
  • RenarinGreets Shallan upon her emergence; helps identify clues about Mishram's nature and imprisonment
  • MraizeAppears in the corridor as a shadow; Shallan exits to confront him while others remain with Mishram's prison
  • DalinarReturns from the Spiritual Realm to Navani; shares what he learned from living Tanavast's memories and prepares to ascend to face his final confrontation
  • NavaniReceives Dalinar upon his return; reassures him and urges him to trust his own judgment rather than act on the gods' will
  • JasnahPresent in the meeting room but isolated, feeling the weight of her failure in Thaylen City
  • WitObserves Dalinar's return and bows his head in respect
  • SebarialWitnesses Dalinar's return; exchanges words with him about becoming a good man
  • NightbloodLeft with the wagon to guard the Honorblades; protests being left behind during Szeth's confrontation with Ishar
  • The WindAn ancient force that whispers to Kaladin; joins the group approaching Ishar and hints at Kaladin's future role