52. Into the Sky

This chapter follows three parallel narratives: Kaladin practices Lashing abilities in the chasms and achieves flight over the Shattered Plains; Shallan infiltrates Highlord Amaram's manor disguised as a maid and discovers his secret room filled with maps and writings about the Parshendi and Voidbringers; and Kaladin returns to find Shen/Rlain departing, revealing his true name before leaving. Shallan also learns that Amaram killed her brother Helaran.

Kaladin begins his night by jumping into a chasm, practicing Lashing—the ability to change which direction gravity pulls him. Initially struggling with the unnatural sensation, he gradually masters jumping between chasm walls and floors. He eventually Lashes himself upward multiple times, achieving flight over the Shattered Plains. Rising high above the warcamps, he experiences exhilaration and freedom, accumulating windspren around him. When he descends, he contemplates confronting Amaram but decides against it, returning to the warcamps.

Shallan, disguised as a darkeyed messenger boy, enters Sadeas's camp and infiltrates Amaram's manor. After a tense encounter with guards and nearly being stopped by the cook, she uses Pattern to unlock Amaram's secret room. She discovers extensive maps of the Shattered Plains and writings in stormwarden script revealing that Amaram is actively researching the Parshendi and appears to be trying to facilitate the return of the Voidbringers. When Amaram returns unexpectedly, Shallan invents a cover story through Hav about a messenger. She then uses Pattern to impersonate Amaram's voice to intimidate the cook into silence. As Shallan leaves, Amaram summons a Shardblade—one she recognizes as belonging to her brother Helaran, confirming Amaram killed him. He claims he obtained it from an assassin with red hair who attacked him. Shallan leaves devastated by the confirmation of her brother's death.

Kaladin returns to his quarters late to find Shen waiting. The parshman reveals his true name is Rlain and announces he must leave immediately, though he cannot explain why. He thanks Kaladin for treating him as a free man and departs into the night. Kaladin doesn't stop him, understanding the parshman's need to go. Kaladin also reflects on his reluctance to tell Dalinar about the men Moash introduced him to, and nearly walks toward Sadeas's camp to kill Amaram before deciding to wait.