84. The One Who Saves

Shallan discovers and activates the Oathgate portal to Urithiru by inserting Renarin's Shardblade into an ancient mechanism, while Adolin duels Eshonai on the battlefield and is saved from falling into the chasm by bridgemen. Simultaneously, Kaladin, brutally beaten by Moash and Graves, speaks the Third Ideal of the Windrunners and manifests his Shardblade as a full Knight Radiant, causing Graves and Moash to flee.

Shallan and Renarin open an ancient sealed building containing a magnificent circular chamber with a ten-pointed star mosaic representing the ten orders of Knights Radiant and an eleventh section depicting Urithiru. Pattern warns that two storms—the Everstorm and a highstorm—are converging and will collide above their location with catastrophic force. Shallan deduces that the ten-pointed star metal disc on the wall is an Oathgate mechanism and directs Renarin to insert his Shardblade into the slot-shaped keyhole. The metal flows to accommodate the Blade's shape, suggesting the mechanism has engaged. She orders soldiers to inform Dalinar to gather all armies on this plateau for safety and calls for Navani's assistance to fully operate the device.

On the battlefield, Adolin fights Eshonai in the storm. He maneuvers her toward the chasm's edge, feigning weakness to lure her into overconfidence. When she strikes at his damaged helm, he uses a headbutt to throw her off the plateau into the chasm below. The impact destroys his helm and momentum carries him toward the void, but Skar and Drehy grab his armor's skirt and hold him back with help from other soldiers. After regaining his footing, Adolin spots the building red lightning and expanding storm column, grows concerned about coordination with his father and other commanders, and encounters a cloaked figure who reveals himself as the Assassin in White.

In the palace, Kaladin lies broken on cold stone after Moash delivers a devastating punch that shatters his ribs. Graves argues with Moash about finishing Kaladin to prevent him from betraying their conspiracy. Though nearly defeated and unable to hold his dropped knife, Kaladin remembers his purpose: protecting those who cannot protect themselves, regardless of personal feelings. He struggles to his feet and places himself between Elhokar and the assassins with only a side knife. Syl's voice urges him to speak the Words. Kaladin whispers the Third Ideal—"I will protect even those I hate, so long as it is right."—and the Stormfather accepts his oath. Syl manifests as a Shardblade of brilliant blue light, infusing Kaladin with power. He erupts with Stormlight, filling the hallway with white brilliance and causing frost to crystallize in a glyph-shape behind him. Graves, panicked, reveals that their plan focused on separating Kaladin from Dalinar, not on preventing his ascension to Knight Radiant. Both Graves and Moash flee. Kaladin realizes with dread that the enemy's intentions regarding his separation from Dalinar suggest a greater threat.