21. The Seething Knot

Radiant oversees her Lightweaver team's training while wrestling with the question of which agents to bring on the Shadesmar mission. She, Veil, and Shallan disagree about whether to include suspected spies, ultimately deciding to bring them along. Veil discovers a mysterious cube left by Mraize in her chambers that will allow communication during the mission.

Radiant inspects her twenty Lightweaver agents training in the reservoir chamber beneath Urithiru, dressed in traditional Veden warrior garb. She reflects on the compact among Shallan's three personalities: Radiant prioritizes harmony and function, Veil pursues the Ghostbloods' agenda aggressively, and Shallan harbors deep fears about her loved ones discovering her crimes. The team will journey to Shadesmar to negotiate with the honorspren while also fulfilling Mraize's undisclosed task. Radiant observes her agents Beryl and Darcira, cautioning them about being controlled by the faces they wear rather than controlling them. She considers which three Lightweavers to bring on the mission alongside herself, Adolin, and three other Radiants. Veil emerges during deliberation, convinced a Ghostblood spy exists among the agents—someone who participated in the warcamps mission and murdered Ialai. Despite Radiant's objections, Veil argues for bringing suspected traitors close to watch them. Shallan takes control to break the tie, and after internal debate, agrees with Veil's strategy. She selects Ishnah, Vathah, and Stargyle—all suspicious candidates—for the mission. Late that evening, Veil finds a green feather in her chamber and discovers a metal cube from Mraize in her dresser. Pattern reveals the cipher message: the cube allows communication across realms and must not be opened or exposed to light. Veil determines to use it to contact Mraize once in Shadesmar, resolved to hunt rather than flee.