37. A Matter of Perspective

During a break in a tense meeting of highprinces discussing the Assassin in White, Adolin provokes the dueling champion Relis into a confrontation and successfully arranges a duel with Relis's cousin Elit, hoping to climb the dueling rankings toward his real target: Sadeas. After a dangerous confrontation with Sadeas himself nearly turns violent, Adolin spots a striking red-haired woman of apparent Veden descent approaching his father and learns she has news about Jasnah.

The chapter opens with an epigraph about the Stonewards and their Herald patron, then transitions to Adolin leaving a grueling two-hour meeting where highprinces debate responses to the Assassin in White. Adolin realizes nothing productive will emerge and instead focuses on what he can control: training and dueling. His father has asked him to wear regular clothes rather than Plate to project confidence. Adolin observes the numerous Shardbearers present and absorbs reports of the assassin's devastation across Roshar, including the slaughter of kings and Shardbearers in distant lands. Seeking distraction, Adolin approaches Relis, the current dueling champion and son of Ruthar, and needles him about his claimed willingness to fight the assassin. Relis refuses to duel Adolin, citing protocol and the need for Adolin to work through the brackets. When Adolin escalates by wagering five Shards (his own Plate and Blade, his brother's Plate and Blade, and the Shard won from Eranniv) against Relis's two, Relis still refuses. However, Relis's cousin Elit, a lesser Shardbearer hungry for full-Shardbearer status, accepts the wager. A duel is set for seven days hence, though Adolin pushes for tomorrow. Relis insults Dalinar, goading Adolin, but Adolin maintains control, recognizing this as an attempt to provoke him into an unwise action that would void the agreement. Adolin then encounters Sadeas, the man he holds responsible for the deaths of thousands at a past battle, and barely restrains himself from attacking when Sadeas makes cryptic remarks about giving Dalinar a merciful death. Amaram intervenes, physically stopping Adolin and counseling restraint. As Amaram walks Adolin through the party, Amaram explains his continued service to Sadeas as necessary to bridge the divide between Sadeas and Dalinar, claiming an 'understanding' with Sadeas. Adolin spots a striking red-haired woman with pale skin and light blue eyes—clearly not Alethi—gliding through the room. Amaram identifies her as likely Veden with Horneater blood. The woman approaches Dalinar and Navani, and Adolin hears her expressing condolences about Jasnah going down with a ship.