Chapter 83

Adolin accepts Notum, a honorspren who has arrived at the war effort, as a captain in his messenger corps despite Notum's refusal to bond as a Radiant. Elsewhere, Sigzil scouts the Shattered Plains and discovers a massive enemy reinforcement army of Regals emerging from an Elsegate portal, accompanied by Moash—now apparently bearing an Honorblade and exhibiting Voidlight in his eyes.

Adolin meets with Notum, Colot, and May in his command tent. Notum explains that he came to join the fight after hearing a mysterious feminine voice (possibly Maya, though he cannot confirm) calling him to arms. He resisted the mind-dampening effects more quickly than expected—adjusting in only one day—and flew to the camp to aid Adolin's cause. When May questions how Notum can function without a Radiant bond, he insists he can help the war effort without bonding himself, refusing to give any human power over him. Adolin respects this choice and offers Notum a field commission as captain of the messenger corps, which May approves as advantageous. After the meeting, Adolin reflects on his anxiety about Shallan's secret mission and his fear of being insufficient. He then heads to a dinner with Emperor Yanagawn.

Meanwhile, Sigzil scouts the Shattered Plains with squires Leyten and Weiss. Following Heavenly Ones' patrol patterns, they locate a gathering army north of the Plains—hundreds of Regals assembling beneath constant red lightning. The group questions how the enemy transported these reinforcements, as no conventional means seem possible. When Sigzil flies higher to investigate a violet light at the army's center, he discovers an Elsegate—a portal enabling the enemy to bring in troops. Sigzil and his spren Vienta speculate whether this means the Fused have regained control of Dai-Gonarthis or if the enemy possesses an Elsecaller Honorblade. Using a spyglass, Sigzil spots a distinctive Fused kneeling by the portal, then sees a familiar figure emerge from the gateway: Moash, wearing a black uniform and carrying a Honorblade, with eyes glowing violet from Voidlight.