Veil makes her rounds in Kholinar’s markets, delivering scarce food to Grund and others, building a folk-hero reputation that beggars call the “Swiftspren.” Pattern questions her motives and reminds her of truths, while corrupted spren swirl, underscoring the city’s decay.

Hearing the Cult of Moments chanting, Veil adopts a sprenlike illusion—golden tassels trailing—and moves with the parade. Their surrendering fervor nearly overwhelms her as a whisper urges her to give in, until she snaps free and publicly rebukes them while posing as a spren. She commands them to shed costumes and return home, and the crowd scatters.

Shaken by how easily she was carried along, Shallan wanders and briefly spots Wit leading songs and laughter, but retreats. She returns to the safehouse, wrestling with Veil’s street-hero urges and Radiant’s fidelity to Adolin. Hungry and exhausted, she finds Elhokar tallying potential troops and worrying about the Oathgate and his son.

Shallan promises to reach the Oathgate soon, then sketches Elhokar as a battered yet noble king, restoring his resolve. Later, Ishnah arrives with a secret note addressed to the “Swiftspren,” inviting her to the borders of the revel—on the next Everstorm—telling her to come alone with food and join the feast, opening a path onto the Oathgate platform.