31. Daughter of Traitors

Shallan discovers that Beryl is the spy communicating with Mraize through a magical cube, confirmed when Mraize reveals knowledge she hadn't explicitly shared. Meanwhile, Adolin and his party explore a Shadesmar coastal town and encounter a mysterious human caravan from Tukar or Marat, then confront Notum, an honorspren who reveals he has been exiled for two centuries for allowing Syl to escape.

Shallan receives a communication from Mraize via a magical cube, during which she experiences fragmented memories of her past—specifically moments involving her mother's death and training as a Knight Radiant. She struggles to maintain focus, oscillating between her identities as Veil and Shallan. During the conversation, she deliberately feeds Mraize false information about seeing "gloryspren" watching their group, and he unknowingly confirms it by specifically naming them. This revelation allows her to identify Beryl as the spy within their group. Later, Shallan sketches the cube repeatedly and discovers through precise artistic detail that someone has been moving it. Pattern expresses concern about Shallan's mental state, noting he sometimes sees something different looking out of her eyes when discussing her past. Shallan suggests there may be another truth or identity she's not fully accessing. Adolin and Godeke investigate a suspicious caravan of humans dressed in Tukari or Marati clothing who arrived in Shadesmar without obvious means. The strangers refuse to communicate and carry concealed weapons. Adolin recognizes them as possibly connected to the Herald-led state of Tukar. Upon returning to the barge, Adolin encounters Notum, the honorspren captain from his previous visit. Notum initially greets him with disdain, rejecting Adolin's diplomatic mission to Lasting Integrity. In a bitter conversation, Notum reveals he was imprisoned for five months and permanently demoted and exiled for allowing Syl to escape during Adolin's previous journey. He is now condemned to patrol the lands between the coast and Lasting Integrity for two centuries, forbidden from entering the fortress. Despite the severity of his punishment, Notum confirms that Dalinar was ultimately saved through their sacrifice. Adolin, initially devastated by this revelation and Notum's rejection, resolves to find a way to persuade the honorspren to listen to his diplomatic mission despite the impossible odds.