At dawn outside Kholinar, Kaladin’s group observes refugees being admitted while the main gates remain shut. The palace stands unnaturally shadowed, prompting Shallan to suspect an Unmade. Shallan crafts disguises: Kaladin as a hideous old man, Adolin as a vigorous elder, and Elhokar as a highborn woman. Elhokar privately admits his failings and orders Kaladin to open the Oathgate and extract the queen and prince if he falters.

At a side gate, a Wall Guard captain refuses further entry, citing rationed quotas under Highmarshal Azure and strained food and shelter. He offers immediate entry if Skar and Drehy join the defense and indicates Queen Aesudan is not in command. Before negotiations continue, Syl spots a formation of Fused; alarms sound and the guards rush to the wall.

The refugees surge forward. Adolin drags Elhokar inside while Kaladin wrestles with the urge to reveal himself and fight. The Fused raid is brief and probing; they withdraw after testing the defenses. The team moves deeper into the city to avoid attention and to establish a base before attempting the palace or Oathgate.

Within Kholinar, doors are barred, refugees crowd courtyards, and public order feels thin except in wealthy districts with private guards. Adolin explains that fliers like the Fused cannot hold a city without infantry. The group witnesses performers mimicking spren and sees distorted, red-tinted spren that alarm Syl and Shallan, evidence of something malign influencing emotions.

Adolin leads them to a courtyard entry and knocks at a back door. Kaladin, glimpsing his own grotesque illusion in a metal plate, protests Shallan’s tactics. A Thaylen tailor and a burly companion admit them after Adolin reveals himself. Inside the tailor shop, now their safehouse, the team secures a foothold to begin covert reconnaissance of the palace and the city’s mysteries.