An epigraph notes contact with Endowment but failure to relocate Invention. Aboard the peakspren barge on the second day in Shadesmar, Radiant holds the body while Shallan retreats. Radiant assigns Beryl and Ishnah to record observations and Vathah to assist the sailors, then studies Ialai’s book, inferring that Thaidakar leads the Ghostbloods and that they fixate on Ba‑Ado‑Mishram, likely seeking the gemstone that imprisons her and links to offworld Stormlight ambitions.

Shallan urges finding the spy, but Radiant admits espionage is not her strength. The Three vote to end Veil’s punishment. Veil takes control, apologizes for violating their compact, and deliberately sketches poorly to draw Shallan out. Concerned by the threatening, amorphous Formless, Shallan reemerges, chooses to pause the spy hunt, and embraces drawing Radiant spren to stabilize herself.

Hours later, Adolin brings food. In an easy exchange that calms them both, Shallan admits she originally set out to rob Jasnah’s Soulcaster. Adolin’s good‑humored acceptance deepens their trust. Shallan outlines a natural history project to sketch male and female variants of Radiant spren, and Adolin helps with details, agreeing to worry less about the honorspren until they arrive.

When the mistspren Dreaming‑though‑Awake stops by, Shallan asks about Ba‑Ado‑Mishram. The spren knows little but says Heralds—specifically Nale and Kelek—were present at the binding and suggests asking them. The hint links Shallan’s Ghostblood and Sons of Honor investigations to the Heralds, giving the expedition a fresh lead as Shallan resolves to unravel these mysteries without unraveling herself.