Shallan, seeking data on Kholinar’s odd spren, deliberately injures and embarrasses herself to attract painspren and shamespren, taking Memories of their corrupted forms. Pattern cautions her, but she heals with Stormlight and continues sketching, confirming that some common spren now appear twisted.

In the back room, Yokska recounts the city’s collapse: Queen Aesudan publicly executed an ardent before the Everstorm; proclamations labeled parshmen Voidbringers; the Palace Guard withdrew into the palace; the City Watch was ordered inside and vanished. The Wall Guard, under a highmarshal, restored minimal order and exiled parshmen before the Everstorm, then focused on the walls. Lighteyes who challenged the queen disappeared, the Vorin hierarchy splintered, and the Cult of Moments spread. Critically, using any fabrial summons screaming yellow spren that draw flying foes to seize devices and sometimes kill users.

After giving Yokska a respite, the group synthesizes the intel. Elhokar asserts measured action and proposes a ruse: Shallan will pose as a messenger bearing his sealed letter to probe palace response and quietly assess access to the Oathgate. Shallan, citing her prior encounter with an Unmade and her escape options, volunteers, with Pattern pledging vigilance. Kaladin will shadow her for extraction; Adolin suggests a meeting point at the grand steps.

Upstairs, Shallan confronts team dynamics and reveals to Red, Vathah, and Ishnah that Veil is her persona, finding acceptance rather than betrayal. She sends Ishnah to inform Kaladin of an adjusted rendezvous, then slips out the window, beginning her reconnaissance of the city.