69. Free Meal, No Strings
Contains spoilersOverview
Kaladin tests Stormlight use in Kholinar and learns that Lashing draws screaming spren and a Fused, while Lightweavings and merely holding Stormlight do not. Adolin and Elhokar pursue allies at lighteyed parties as cover. Avoiding his assigned tent, Kaladin scouts the wall, is taken for a deserter when his illusion fails, and accepts a "free meal" with the Wall Guard to glean information about Highmarshal Azure.
Summary
Kaladin cautiously draws Stormlight in a crowded plaza and performs a minimal Lashing on a stone. Screaming yellow-white spren arrive, soon followed by a flying Fused with spear and shield. Unable to locate the tiny charge, the spren disperse and the Fused withdraws when the Wall Guard approaches. The team concludes that Lashing attracts detection, but simply holding Stormlight and Shallan’s Lightweavings remain unnoticed; earlier, summoning Syl as a Blade did not trigger the screamers.
Back at the tailor’s, Adolin embraces lighteyed fashion while Kaladin grumbles about parties amid crisis. Elhokar’s plan uses such gatherings to reach Kholinar’s lighteyes. Shallan disguises Adolin as Captainlord Meleran Khal and Elhokar as General Khal, and conceals Kaladin’s slave brands, tying each illusion to a sphere. On the way, Adolin urges Kaladin to broaden his training beyond the spear, arguing versatility and insight into opponents’ weapons.
At a modest lighteyed home hosting a party, assignments are set: Adolin and Elhokar seek allies inside; Skar and Drehy canvas the darkeyed guard tent for rumors about the Cult of Moments and other oddities; Kaladin is to visit the lighteyed guard tent and inquire after Highmarshal Azure. Uncomfortable with the role, Kaladin borrows Skar’s spear and instead walks the perimeter to survey the city wall and gauge the Wall Guard.
By the wall, a patrol confronts Kaladin and assumes he is a deserter. Realizing his illusion must have failed, Kaladin reveals the shash brands beneath his hair. Rather than arrest him, the Wall Guard lieutenant offers a free, no-strings meal for deserters at their barracks. Seeing an opportunity to learn about the Wall Guard’s leadership—and Azure—Kaladin retrieves his spear and goes with them.
Who Appears
- Kaladin
Tests Stormlight use; learns Lashing draws screamers; refuses party tent, scouts wall; brands exposed; follows Wall Guard to gather intel on Azure.
- Adolin Kholin
Secures party invitations, adopts a fashionable disguise, mentors Kaladin on weapon versatility, and canvasses lighteyes for allies.
- Elhokar Kholin
Directs the party-based outreach strategy; takes on a general’s disguise to probe lighteyes for support and information.
- Shallan Davar
Provides Lightweaving disguises, hides Kaladin’s brands, and confirms Lightweavings remain undetected by the screamers.
- Skar
Accompanies as guard; banters with Adolin; lends Kaladin his spear; gathers rumors in the darkeyed guard tent.
- Drehy
Accompanies as guard; trades jokes; investigates the darkeyed guard tent for leads, including the Cult of Moments.
- Sylphrena
Scouts ahead; earlier summoning as a Blade did not attract screamers, informing Kaladin’s assessment of risks.
- Yokska
Tailor who outfits Adolin, advising on current fashions and fitting his disguise.
- Wall Guard lieutenant
Patrol leader who mistakes Kaladin for a deserter, offers a free meal, and unwittingly opens a path to intel.
- Fused warrior
Flies in armed with spear and shield when screamers respond to Kaladin’s Lashing, then withdraws as Wall Guard approach.
- Pattern
Confirms Shallan’s disguises are quieter to the screamers than Kaladin’s Surgebinding.
- Meleran Khal (cover identity)
Adolin’s assumed persona to mingle among Kholinar’s lighteyes at parties.
- General Khal (cover identity)
Elhokar’s assumed persona to approach lighteyes while avoiding recognition.