At the monastery, Syl notices that Moss’s test used real acolytes beneath the illusions, which troubles her even after Szeth wins another Honorblade. While freed servants gather around Szeth, Syl keeps turning over the exact wording of the Lightweaver’s riddle. She realizes the warning was carefully phrased: twenty-nine of the people standing were harmless, but one standing person could still be deadly. Concluding that a second attacker has been hidden among the acolytes, Syl grabs Kaladin and warns him in time.

Kaladin immediately trusts Syl, summons her as a spear, and kills a matronly woman just as she summons a Blade to strike Szeth from behind. The woman vanishes in smoke, revealing herself as another Honorbearer. Nale calmly accuses Kaladin of helping Szeth cheat, but Szeth challenges him by pointing out that the pilgrimage never had fixed rules, especially since Szeth has already faced multiple attackers and attacks outside monastery bounds. Faced with that logic, Nale admits Szeth is correct, says the pilgrimage will continue, and leads them on.

As they depart, Syl notices that their count of recovered swords does not match the expected total. Nale explains that Jezrien’s Windrunner Honorblade was taken by Odium and corrupted after Vyre killed Jezrien. After Nale leaves, Kaladin and Syl discuss how unstable and broken Nale seems. Kaladin also admits deeper fears: with only four days left until the contest, he likely will not reach Ishar in time to help Dalinar, and his concern for Szeth is turning into the same consuming isolation he once felt for Bridge Four. Syl reminds Kaladin that both of them are still learning balance, and Kaladin resolves to help without making saving others his entire identity.

The scene shifts to Shallan, Renarin, and Rlain waiting in a Spiritual-realm version of Shallan’s old rooms in Sebarial’s warcamp. Renarin and Rlain discuss how strange the realm feels, and Glys explains that anti-Light does not easily kill ordinary humans because their souls are not concentrated enough in Investiture. However, anti-Light can injure or kill spren, and if a wounded person tries to heal with Stormlight while anti-Light remains in the body, the interaction could be fatal. That gives Shallan a new possible method for killing Mraize, though she knows he is the better fighter.

Shallan worries that Mraize’s earlier deception and Iyatil’s unseen plans mean the Ghostbloods are still outmaneuvering them. Rlain suggests a new strategy: instead of entering the next vision directly, Shallan could send in a Lightwoven avatar while the group watches from outside and waits to strike with an advantage. The others agree that the plan might work, especially because Lightweaving is subtle enough not to attract the dangerous forces hunting their spren.

While preparing, Shallan is shaken by memories of the people she has killed and by Formless’s claim that she destroys those who trust her. Pattern counters that belief by pointing out how selective and false her thinking is: among all the people close to Shallan, only a few have died by her hand, and most people she loves are still alive. He insists that Formless twists truth into a lie, and both he and Testament still trust and love her. Reassured by Pattern’s faith and humor, Shallan returns to Renarin and Rlain ready to proceed with the new plan.