An epigraph hints that Honor is changing. A day after her apparent murder, Shallan feels the oppressive presence lift, though she still worries about the Unmade glimpsed in a mirror. She checks mirrors in the tailor’s shop, sketches the creature, and warns her companions.

In Yokska’s kitchen, Elhokar presents a map and a plan. Believing Aesudan compromised and Gavinor captive, he directs Shallan to infiltrate the Cult of Moments on the Oathgate platform and, if possible, activate the gate to Urithiru. Failing that, Elhokar and Adolin will solicit support from city lighteyes—revealing themselves if necessary—to assemble a force to seize the palace. Kaladin will investigate the mysterious Azure and the Wall Guard, and he urges tracing the city’s grain, suspecting hidden supply or a Soulcaster.

Veil goes to the market for a new coat and to gauge the city’s mood. She observes House Velalant soldiers running grain rationing from a seized Thaylen bank: lines are chaotic, the poor are harassed or excluded, while well-off servants collect rations for lighteyes. Veil shares food with a disabled boy, notes the soldiers’ likely collusion with local elites, and wonders where the grain originates as anger and exhaustion spren pool around a despairing populace.

Overwhelmed, Veil follows a voice and finds Wit performing. He recognizes her despite her Lightweaving and tells the story of Mishim and Queen Tsa with uncanny smoke illusions. Tsa and the moon swap places; Tsa charms Salas and Nomon, returns with a child of faintly blue skin—explaining Natanatan’s hue—and Mishim learns mortal loss.

The crowd drifts away as Wit, exhausted, refuses encores. Shallan praises the tale; Wit deflects meaning, laments missing his flute, and invites her to buy him food. Shallan glimpses a small sealed jar in his pack, mostly black with a white side, before he closes it.