Chapter 64

Navani witnesses the Shin people crossing through Ishi'Elin's portal into Roshar while in the Spiritual Realm, makes detailed observations about the portal's mechanics, and obtains a ribbon from the young Shalash as an anchor to the Oathpact's founding. Meanwhile, Adolin tends to wounded soldiers in the field hospital and encounters the Heralds Ash and Taln, then prepares for an anticipated enemy assault on Azimir.

Navani stands in the Spiritual Realm near the portal watching refugees cross from another world. She observes that Ishi'Elin maintains the portal through continued effort, and theorizes about its mechanics—how people seem to fall through space rather than step through a doorway. A faceless Wit appears and warns her not to attempt crossing, explaining that the vision is Roshar-specific and she cannot leave it without unraveling the vision's structure. When the king Jezrien and his daughter Shalash initially seem wary, Navani slowly approaches them peacefully, and the young Shalash eventually reaches out to touch her hand. As the vision begins to dissolve, the Wind—which Navani recognizes as a form of the Stormfather—advises her to take Shalash's ribbon as an anchor to the Oathpact's founding, suggesting she can use this connection to jump forward in time. Navani takes the ribbon just as the vision bursts into Stormlight. In Azimir, Adolin wakes refreshed and learns that the Azish reserve forces have been delayed by an enemy raiding party, setting reinforcements back at least two days. He visits the field hospital, speaking encouragingly with wounded soldiers and meeting with the Truthwatcher healer Rahel. He discovers Ash sitting beside Taln's bed; she questions whether the soldiers are worth the price Taln paid on his distant world to earn them this peace. Adolin receives word of another minor skirmish with low casualties and believes the enemy will soon attempt a Castle Down—a delayed attack designed to catch defenders when they've let their guard down. He predicts the assault will come between an hour and a half and two hours from now, then prepares to visit a friend among the imperial leadership.