Chapter 111

Kaladin comes to terms with not being the Radiant champion needed for the contest, finding peace through music and stew-making. He counsels Szeth on the burden of following Nale's orders, and encounters a struggling highspren seeking guidance. Meanwhile, a massive convergence of spren appears on the horizon, signaling that crucial events are unfolding at the remaining monasteries. In a parallel thread, Shallan, Renarin, and Rlain search Shadesmar for clues about Mishram's prison, discovering that Dalinar and Navani have found their way to the moment of Mishram's original capture.

Kaladin arrives near the Dustbringer monastery on the seventh day, accepting that he will not return in time for the contest. He plays his flute for fallen friends and finds unexpected peace. When Nale dismisses his music, Kaladin turns his attention to Szeth, who is conflicted about following Nale's orders to kill. Rather than being direct, Kaladin prepares stew and tells the story of Goshel, a slave-soldier who killed his commanding officer rather than commit atrocities. Szeth recognizes the parallel and admits he is struggling with the moral cost of his obedience. A highspren named 12124, bonded to assist in the orders, appears seeking help. Conflicted by expectations from other highspren and his own discomfort with command-based relationships, 12124 is relieved to discover that Kaladin's "therapy" simply involves listening and asking questions rather than giving orders. The Wind then speaks to Kaladin directly, showing him fragments of Nale's heroic past—moments across millennia where the Herald saved the innocent. She reveals that the Heralds are connected to Honor and may hold power over both Honor and Odium. When Szeth alerts Kaladin to a stream of glowing spren moving northeast toward the remaining monasteries, Nale confirms that the gods have gathered to witness decisions and determine the salvation of the land. In Shadesmar, Shallan, Renarin, and Rlain search for clues about Mishram's prison within visions. Renarin reports that he confronted Mishram, who claimed to have shown herself so they could find and destroy her. The group realizes they must locate the prison before the Ghostbloods do. While reviewing recent visions for clues, Shallan reluctantly admits she changed her intended vision to avoid reliving the day she killed her mother. Glys then alerts Renarin that Dalinar and Navani have reached the moment when Mishram was originally imprisoned—a time linked to Honor's death and Odium's fear of her. Renarin prepares to send them into that vision to join the action.