AFTERWORD

Chapter 29

Interlude 3

Overview

This is Interlude 3, split between two locations. In the first section, Shallan infiltrates a Ghostblood meeting in disguise, discovering critical intelligence about their plans to pursue Mishram's prison in the Spiritual Realm and develop weapons using anti-Stormlight to kill Radiants. In the second section, Dalinar and Navani prepare to enter the Spiritual Realm themselves to uncover truths about Honor's death, with Wit's guidance.

Summary

Shallan, disguised as one of Mraize's masked operatives, enters a Ghostblood safehouse filled with trophies and descends to a meeting chamber. She observes Mraize conducting a demonstration with a hand ballista—a medieval siege weapon—while explaining how technological advancement can shift warfare dynamics. The meeting includes eight Ghostblood operatives from various nations. Mraize reveals that Felt, one of Dalinar's soldiers, is actually a spy and has been communicating through a seon named Ala. Felt reports that Restares has revealed Mishram's prison is hidden in the Spiritual Realm. Mraize announces he and Iyatil will enter the Spiritual Realm to pursue this lead, leaving the Azish vizier Zora in command. When questioned about how this serves Master Thaidakar's goals, Mraize deflects. Shallan realizes the hand ballista demonstration had a sinister purpose: the weapons are being designed to deliver anti-Stormlight as payload, creating a tool to kill Radiants and their spren. As Shallan sends a warning via spanreed, Iyatil approaches and whispers to her in an unrecognized language, suggesting her cover may be compromised. Meanwhile, in a garden chamber at Urithiru, Dalinar and Navani discuss his potential Ascension to replace Honor. Navani fears he will lose his humanity and insists on accompanying him into the Spiritual Realm as a scholar to help interpret what they witness. Wit arrives and explains the plan: they will open a perpendicularity using their Bondsmith powers and enter the Spiritual Realm to experience past events through Connection, beginning with a test in a safer location within the tower before attempting longer journeys into events Wit hasn't witnessed.

Characters

  • ShallanInfiltrates the Ghostblood meeting disguised as a masked operative; struggles to maintain her cover while gathering intelligence on Mishram's prison and weapons designed to kill Radiants
  • ShadeGuides Shallan and other newcomers down into the safehouse
  • MraizeLeads the Ghostblood meeting; demonstrates a hand ballista and reveals plans to enter the Spiritual Realm to find Mishram's prison; instructs operatives on their roles during his absence
  • IyatilObserves the meeting from the north wall as the true leader of this Ghostblood cell; approaches Shallan and whispers to her in an unknown language
  • Sja-anatAppears as a reflection in the glass cases, studying Shallan and smiling knowingly before vanishing
  • The actorAn acolyte Ghostblood who was sent to spy on Dalinar; studies the trophy cases with Shallan
  • AikaThaylen trader and Ghostblood operative; questions Mraize about the urgency of the meeting
  • The other ThaylenGhostblood operative who remarks on how long it has been since the group assembled
  • The Azish vizier (Zora)Ghostblood operative in Azish regalia; is appointed by Mraize to lead the cell in his absence and report to Master Thaidakar
  • Icy Tongue (Veden woman)Ghostblood operative who questions Mraize about the hand ballista and how his plans serve Master Thaidakar's broader goals
  • Chain (Alethi soldier)Ghostblood operative who discusses the tactical limitations of crossbowmen against Shardbearers
  • FeltAppears as a glowing sphere spren; revealed to be a Ghostblood spy who has been watching Dalinar and gathering information from Restares
  • AlaA seon working with the Ghostbloods; communicates through Felt and requests a pony as compensation
  • RestaresHerald held captive by the Ghostbloods; has been providing information about Mishram's prison location
  • DalinarPrepares to enter the Spiritual Realm with Navani to uncover truths about Honor's death; discusses his potential Ascension to replace Honor
  • NavaniInsists on accompanying Dalinar into the Spiritual Realm as a scholar; expresses concern about what his Ascension will mean for his humanity
  • WitAdvises Dalinar and Navani on their plan to enter the Spiritual Realm; explains the mechanics of Ascension and offers to guide them through the experiment