Adolin and Shallan meet Ialai Sadeas, where a scarred soldier—Mraize—stands among her guards with a strange green chicken. Ialai pointedly compares whitespines lingering by their kill to the Kholins returning after Sadeas’s murder. Adolin cuts through politeness to insist Dalinar was not behind the killing, a frankness that earns him a seat but not Ialai’s trust.

Sent to fetch tea, Shallan confronts Mraize in a side room. Dropping his act, he says the Ghostbloods are watching Ialai but have not recruited her, and claims morality is irrelevant to them—only loyalty and power. He asserts Shallan’s indebted membership, then assigns her a task she already senses: secure Urithiru by finding and removing a growing “darkness,” so neither side gains dominance as the Voidbringers rise. He offers payment in information, whispering “Helaran,” leaving Shallan shaken.

Back in the meeting, Ialai argues the killer likely came from Kholin ranks—someone acting on assumed orders—then ends the audience. She reveals her chosen investigator: Meridas Amaram, who arrived quietly with the last caravan and has been sheltered by her. Adolin notes the political challenge this poses to Dalinar and predicts conflict with Kaladin, while Shallan privately reels, recalling Amaram’s connection to her brother’s death.

Departing, Adolin frets over his political missteps, but Shallan suggests multiple killers may be involved, referencing what she learned the previous night. A sudden commotion interrupts them; scribes rush toward Ialai’s rooms. A guard reports urgent news from the coast: a stormwall has been sighted in New Natanan—the highstorms have returned.