Kaladin languishes in his cell, slipping into the hopelessness that once defined his life as a slave. Desperate not to regress, he reaches for a distant lamp and—after a silent prayer—successfully draws in Stormlight, briefly lifting his mood. Syl appears, concerned and warning that Kaladin is “growing dark,” though her attention flits to a striking red-violet cremling. A guard later notices the dun sphere and replaces it, unaware of what happened.

Meanwhile, Shallan—disguised as Veil—senses Amaram approaching the room holding the madman. She Lightweaves herself into an all-black silhouette and hides in a corner. Amaram enters with Bordin, an Alethi darkeyes in Kholin livery. Kneeling to the madman, whom he calls “Great Prince,” Amaram speaks reverently and, upon hearing the man’s familiar ramblings, declares his intent to recover “the Honorblades,” a supposed cache of Shardblades mentioned once before. He pressures Bordin to take him to the place immediately.

After they leave, Shallan rejoins Iyatil, feigning innocence for the nearby ardents. She covertly passes Iyatil a written record of the madman’s words and explains that Amaram intends to act on them. Iyatil, impressed, questions Veil’s true identity; Shallan answers that she seeks the truth above all.

That night, Shallan sends a full spanreed report and receives Mraize’s reply: truth destroys more than it saves, but she has proven herself. He grants her Ghostblood protection, requires a loyalty tattoo, and welcomes her into the organization, deepening her entanglement even as her information sets Amaram in motion.