Shallan isolates herself, sketching vivid scenes of Jasnah’s killings despite not having consciously memorized them. She studies competing moral philosophies but cannot shake the horror. In a jolt, she realizes she has drawn an unfamiliar image of a wealthy man dead on a floor, which panics her and drives her from her room.

In Jasnah’s quarters, a master-servant brings a flashing spanreed. Using a code phrase, Shallan contacts Nan Balat and confirms she has stolen the Soulcaster. She argues that fleeing would confirm guilt and that her only hope is to stay, deflect suspicion—likely toward the ardentia—and face consequences quickly if discovered. Nan Balat warns time is short and that the men tied to their father’s fabrial have asked after her again.

Anxious, Shallan checks the hidden compartment, then moves the Soulcaster to her safepouch, reasoning it is safer there. A palace maid arrives to clean, and soon after Shallan receives a basket from Kabsal with bread and bluebar jam. Deciding to avoid him and clear her head, she heads outside.

In the secluded palace gardens, she relaxes by sketching shalebark, snails, and cremlings, noting apparent symbiotic cleaning behaviors and drifting lifespren. Still burdened by betrayal, she decides to test the Soulcaster in private. She straps it on and attempts to transform shalebark—commanding smoke, crystal, then fire—then tries other targets, but nothing happens.

Frustrated, she hides the device again, eats Kabsal’s bread and jam, and weighs options: continue research in the Palanaeum, cautiously ask Kabsal, or even trade the Soulcaster to the Veden king or ardents for protection. None feel right, and her guilt intensifies. She resolves to wait and see how Jasnah reacts while quietly seeking a way to make the Soulcaster work.