Chapter 96

This chapter is a flashback set sixteen years before the main timeline, depicting young Szeth on the day he begins his pilgrimage to train as an Honorbearer. After a final meditation interrupted by his sister Elid, Szeth confronts the emotional weight of leaving—including his father Neturo's plan to accompany him and the family fracture caused by their mother's departure.

Szeth meditates in the monastery's rock garden on the morning of his pilgrimage, communing with the Voice—a spren that assures him his life has purpose and warns him that the coming journey will be difficult. His sister Elid interrupts, revealing that their father Neturo plans to follow him, and urges Szeth to convince him to stay and maintain his role as mayor of the city they now inhabit. Elid expresses frustration that Szeth doesn't condemn Neturo's relationship with Sivi, a Willshaper, and reveals she sacrificed her own life to support their father after their mother abandoned them. She accuses Szeth of being their father's favorite and declares she hates him. Later, at the bridge where Szeth is meant to begin his solitary pilgrimage, Neturo appears despite Szeth's initial request that he stay behind. Szeth learns from Neturo that their mother was happy to leave, that the family's struggles predated Szeth's discovery of the stone, and that Neturo struggles to connect with Elid. Neturo insists on accompanying Szeth, saying it is the only way he knows how to help. Szeth accepts, grateful not to travel alone.