Editing Summary:The Sunlit Man

Nomad shares observations about local meteorology with Aux. It dawns on him that his driver and the captured Charred share enough features to be related. When his driver makes contact with her base, Nomad finds he can understand, and learns her name is Rebeke. The Charred is Elegy, and the redheaded man is Thomos. Rebeke's radio contact is Zeal. From other language cues, Nomad and Aux surmise that this planet is a Threnodite settlement. They arrive at base, another flying settlement named Beacon. It is less put together than the Cinder King's city. Zeal, who is a little person, orders aid for Thomos, and tries to hand off Nomad to a tall fellow named [[Adonalsium-Will-Remember-Our-Plight-Eventually]]. Nomad, pretending he does not understand them, follows Zeal and Rebeke down the street to their meeting with the Greater Good.

As Nomad approaches, he notices that Wit is an illusion, allowed to appear by Aux's reinforcement of Nomad's [[Connection]] to him. The two discuss various topics, including Wit initially giving Nomad his Dawnshard, the chase by the [[Night Brigade]], Wit's lack of regard for Nomad, Wit's childhood, the value of the Torment, and the merits of questions and answers. Throughout this, Nomad disparages Wit. Before he fades away, Wit sincerely expresses regret for his actions, surprising Nomad. With Aux, Nomad resolves to help the Beaconites find the door that corresponds to the Scadrian key in order to get a power source that would allow him to Skip offworld. He returns to the building he had left and proposes that they help each other.

When Nomad walks back in, able to speak perfectly in the language of Canticle, the Beaconites proclaim him a Sunlit Man, something they remain convinced of throughout the ensuing conversation. They continue to consider the prospect of this Refuge underground. Nomad, at Aux's urging, does mention that it is unlikely that it will be what they expect. However, the Beaconites believe that it is their only hope, and decide to present this idea to the people. Nomad and Aux discuss the outcome of the conversation with Wit, particularly in relation to Nomad's aging. The Greater Good also considers Rebeke's punishment for disobeying, with Nomad interjecting in her defense. He compares its leadership to that of the Cinder King, referencing his long life as the grounds for his understanding of tyranny. Finally, as part of Rebeke's punishment, the Greater Good asks her to fulfill Nomad's requests for accommodations.