Chapter 90

Szeth completes a trial in the Lightweaver monastery by identifying the true form of Herald Shuln among thirty illusory copies, aided secretly by Syl. Meanwhile, Jasnah uses logical analysis in a temple to recognize a critical flaw in their understanding of Odium's assault on Thaylen City—the incoming fleet may not carry actual troops, but rather be a deception to divert their forces.

Szeth faces a puzzle in the Lightweaver monastery where thirty nearly identical illusions of Herald Shuln are displayed, and he must identify the one that is Moss in disguise. Unable to distinguish them visually, Szeth calls upon Syl for help. Though Nale forbade Kaladin's aid, Syl argues she is a god and therefore permitted to assist through prayer. Together they analyze the figures' traits—eye color, hair parting, bow styles—and initially identify one with the rarest attributes. However, Syl and Szeth recognize this solution feels too obvious and suspect Moss, being clever, would have designed the puzzle so he cannot lose regardless of the player's choice. Reconsidering Moss's original statement that he is hidden behind a face that is 'perfect,' they realize the answer lies not in the illusory figures but in the ancient mural of Shuln depicted on the floor itself—that which is stone and truly perfect. Szeth stabs through the mural's eye, causing all the illusions to collapse and revealing exhausted acolytes beneath them. He discovers Moss has already evaporated, leaving behind only his Blade with wave patterns and a distinctive round hole in the pommel. In Thaylen City, Jasnah retreats to a restored temple to think through Odium's strategic intentions. Using logical analysis and economic theory to examine incentives, she initially hypothesizes the attack is a diversion meant to overcommit their resources. However, as she tests her premises, she recognizes a critical flaw in their assumptions: they have been assuming troops are actually coming. She realizes the incoming ships may carry only people in costumes, not actual soldiers, and that the fleet itself—slowly approaching—is designed to make their enemies commit resources to a city that is not truly under threat, while Odium's real armies strike elsewhere. She resolves to send Windrunner scouts to get close enough to verify this hypothesis.