Chapter 227

This chapter intercuts three major confrontations: Szeth faces his father Neturo and other Honorbearers in combat while Kaladin attempts to convince the Herald Ishar to release Shinovar; Dalinar meets his opponent on the rooftop of Urithiru and discovers it is the resurrected Elhokar, champion of Odium; and Adolin fights the Fused Abidi in the throne room without Shards, discovering an unexpected advantage in unconventional tactics.

Szeth arrives at Ishar's location with Kaladin and Syl, where the Herald reveals he has been the Voice guiding Szeth all along and intends to make him a new Herald to prepare for coming cataclysm. Ishar claims he rejected the spren because they rejected him, and now plans to command Fused and spren armies with Szeth as his first recruit. Nin, revealed to be the weakened Herald Nale, arrives and tries to warn Ishar but is deemed unfit. Six Honorbearers—Moss, Pozen, Elid, and three others including Neturo, Szeth's supposedly dead father—claim Honorblades from the wagon. The swords are arranged in a circle with Taln's blade notably present after long absence. Ishar demands Szeth be humbled through combat against all six Honorbearers together, refusing interference from Kaladin and Syl. Szeth devises a plan: he will deliberately lose the fight to fulfill Ishar's requirement while Kaladin attempts to convince the Herald to release Shinovar. This would allow Szeth to ascend to his next oath. When combat begins, Neturo attacks viciously despite Szeth's non-violent approach, and all six beat him down. Meanwhile, Dalinar ascends to Urithiru's rooftop carrying The Way of Kings, finding confidence in his spiritual journey. Taravangian stands waiting in yellow and gold robes with a golden crown, claiming friendship was real but necessary to betray. He summons his champion through a perpendicularity—Elhokar, alive and carrying Oathbringer, Dalinar's own Shardblade. In the throne room, Adolin fights Abidi, a skilled Fused wearing newly-acquired Shardplate. Adolin, without his own Shardblade or Plate, can only dodge and parry with his side sword. Initially overwhelmed, Adolin realizes through Zahel's past training that he must account for his peg leg rather than fight around it. He gains confidence and precision in his movements. Abidi reveals he wants Yanagawn as his servant, unaware the emperor stands outside the throne room. Adolin, seeking an advantage, feints a negotiation while scooping up an ornate aluminum candelabra and uses it to parry Abidi's direct Blade strike.