Chapter 89

Szeth approaches a monastery to complete a Radiant pilgrimage trial against the Lightweaver Herald Moss-son-Farrier, who presents him with an illusory puzzle where he must identify and kill the true Moss among thirty identical illusions of the Herald Shush. In a parallel storyline, Venli leads a group of listeners and chasmfiends through the Shattered Plains chasms, following a mysterious rhythmic song, while wrestling with her guilt over past actions and her brother Thude's cautious reconciliation.

Szeth journeys down a ravine toward the monastery with Kaladin, Nale, and Sylphrena, carrying half of a collection of Honorblades. During the walk, Nightblood engages Szeth in conversation about morality and whether he is evil, pressing him on the difficulty of separating good from evil actions. Szeth reflects that most people pretend morality is simple, but complex circumstances—killing innocents to save others, acting as an instrument of perceived higher law—make judgment impossible. Upon reaching the monastery, Szeth finds it supported only by a few empty keeper homes. Kaladin attempts to stop him, but Szeth insists he must proceed alone, handing his pack of swords to Kaladin. Inside the grand hall, Szeth discovers thirty identical illusions of the Herald Shush, created by Moss. Moss reveals himself to be hidden among them, invisible behind a "perfect" face, and explains the trial: Szeth must identify and strike the true Moss through the eye with his Shardblade, killing him to claim Moss's Blade and prove worthy. Touching any illusion or guessing wrongly will result in failure and the end of his pilgrimage. In the Shattered Plains, Venli leads twenty listeners and five chasmfiends deeper into the chasms, following a discordant, chaotic rhythm she barely hears. She reflects on how her past resentment of Eshonai was built on hollow memories, realizing the truth rotted away inside. Thude expresses hope that Eshonai might have survived, but Venli reveals she witnessed her sister's corpse and learned from Timbre that Eshonai had broken free of Odium's control before death. When Venli suggests joining the human-singer conflict ahead, Thude refuses, arguing their numbers are too small and fragile. He urges Venli to let go of her guilt and move forward. Venli accepts his decision and they continue through the chasms in secret, staying hidden from Heavenly Ones and Windrunners patrolling above.