61. Nightmare Made Manifest

Kaladin and his group disguise themselves as refugees using Shallan's Lightweaving and enter Kholinar through the city gates. As they navigate the overcrowded, resource-strained city, they witness a strange procession of people dressed as spren and glimpse shadowy Voidbringers attacking the walls. Adolin leads them to a safe house—his tailor's shop—where they can set up operations to scout the palace.

Kaladin's team observes Kholinar from a distance and notes the enemy is allowing refugees to enter the city, likely to drain resources. Shallan creates illusions to disguise Kaladin and Adolin as old men, and transforms King Elhokar into a lighteyed woman. The group approaches the city gates as refugees, but Elhokar demands entry and clashes with the guard captain, who explains the city is at capacity due to food shortages and overcrowding. During this confrontation, Voidbringers attack the walls; Kaladin struggles against his instinct to help while Adolin persuades him that the raid is merely a test of defenses, not a full assault. They enter the city and traverse streets packed with desperate refugees, passing into wealthier districts. Shallan notices disturbing processions of people dressed as spren moving through the city—performing strange, disjointed phrases and drawing prayers from onlookers. She identifies the phenomenon as spren imitation and warns that something is profoundly wrong. The group narrowly avoids Elhokar nearly giving away his identity by offering a sphere to an exhausted refugee woman. Adolin leads them through a courtyard garden filled with refugees to a small door belonging to his tailor, a Thaylen woman and a Horneater man. When Adolin removes his disguise, revealing his true identity, the tailor quickly ushers them inside to safety.