68. Aim for the Sun

Shallan meets with Wit in a quiet tavern to discuss her mission to infiltrate the Cult of Moments and activate the Oathgate. Through their conversation, Wit reveals hints of his ancient nature and offers cryptic guidance on power, change, and how to approach the cult's leadership.

Shallan arrives at a nearly empty tavern where Wit has arranged to meet her. The innkeeper complains that Wit failed to bring customers as promised, but Wit produces Shallan as his lone "subject." They take a private room where Wit immediately recognizes Shallan's disguise and notes flaws in her portrayal. When Shallan asks if Wit is a Herald, he deflects humorously but then reveals himself to be vastly older than the Heralds themselves—ancient beyond measure. He cryptically describes himself as "the bones of a foreign species left drying on the plain." Their conversation turns playful as they debate stupidity, and Shallan learns that Sadeas is dead, though Wit missed the event. Shallan presses Wit about why he's in the city; he says he knows where he's supposed to be but not always what he's supposed to do there. Shallan shares her goal to open the Oathgate and save the city. Wit warns her about the responsibility of power, describing three types of people in relation to time's unstoppable momentum—those who resist (and are crushed), those who claim credit (and crush others), and the rare few who subtly redirect its course (and terrify him). He probes Shallan's understanding of power as the ability to change others' lives. Over food, Wit explains that the Cult of Moments is led by factions including common street members and those on the platform who commune with the Heart of the Revel, an Unmade. He advises that infiltration is possible: the cult eagerly takes new members and feasts nightly driven by the Heart's influence. Simple Soulcast grain won't suffice—Shallan must bring better food, and Wit can arrange her entry through his contacts. When Shallan asks Wit to join her, he declines, stating he came to the city for a different purpose. He leaves her with the cryptic instruction to learn why she changes the world, not just how. He then slips out unnoticed while the innkeeper re-enters, leaving Shallan to pay a tip and return to plan her next moves.