Dalinar visits the Nightwatcher. She does not understand his request for forgiveness, and her “mother,” Cultivation, appears. She offers Dalinar not strength nor aptitude, but a “pruning” to allow him to grow—this is the loss of his memories of Evi and his complicity in her tragic end. Cultivation claims it will make Dalinar a weapon for “him,” Odium, but that “ALL THINGS MUST BE CULTIVATED” (1079). She promises that what she takes will eventually grow back; that is the cost. When Dalinar leaves the forest with no memories of Evi and an inability to understand her name when spoken, he realizes he was given the boon of peace, but he still has work to do; he still feels his desire to numb the grief of failing Gavilar. He now believes himself weak for needing the aid of the Nightwatcher, and he vows to conquer his alcohol abuse and follow the Codes of War.

The listener invasion begins; Dalinar watches as their ships approach during the Everstorm, which Odium controls. Amaram’s soldiers move onto the field in front of the city.

Kaladin and the others watch from Shadesmar in despair as the spren army and the waiting Fused descend over Thaylen City.