35. The Multiplied Strain of Simultaneous Infusion

Adolin struggles with mastering his Shardblade after the assassination attempt, then witnesses Soulcasters creating a windbreak structure while learning that the Radiants possessed extraordinary abilities. Meanwhile, Navani successfully tests her conjoined fabrial invention, demonstrating a gravity-manipulation platform, before departing with Adolin for a highprinces meeting about the assassin's return.

Adolin practices with his Shardblade on the Shattered Plains, frustrated by his inability to control it properly after years of mastery—likely stemming from psychological strain from the previous night's attack by the Assassin in White. He reflects on his near-death experience and his distrust of Kaladin, the darkeyed bridgeman captain. He then observes Soulcasters performing daytime infusion work, something previously done only at night, to meet increased demands for magical construction. Kadash, one of Dalinar's ardents, reveals they must train multiple ardents on each fabrial and work in shifts. The Soulcasters successfully create a wedge-shaped windbreak, but Adolin notices one of their fabrials' gemstones have shattered from the strain. When Adolin presses Kadash for information about the Radiants' abilities in response to the assassin's supernatural feats, Kadash reveals that historical accounts credit the Radiants with powers matching what the assassin demonstrated, including defying gravity. This revelation troubles both men, raising the possibility that the Radiants are not truly dead.

Navani conducts a test of her conjoined fabrial technology from her observation platform in the engineering grounds. Using split gemstones linked in reverse pairs, she successfully demonstrates a gravity-manipulation platform that can raise and lower weight proportionally. One parapet rises fifty feet into the air unsupported, proving the concept viable for battlefield applications. Adolin arrives and recognizes the parallel to the assassin's gravity manipulation. After dismissing her scholars, Navani explains the technical details to Adolin in simplified terms. They discuss potential military applications and Navani's broader ambitions for the technology. Adolin asks whether she's encouraging Dalinar's romantic advances, and they discuss the tension between Dalinar's enforcement of social codes and his own violation of traditions regarding Vorin propriety. Navani dismisses her concerns about Adolin's betrothal situation given Jasnah's disappearance. They then prepare to depart for a meeting with the highprinces regarding the assassin's return.