Chapter 91

Szeth completes his second monastery trial by discovering that one of the acolytes is actually an assassin in disguise, with Syl's help allowing Kaladin to intervene. Nale initially objects that Kaladin's assistance violated the pilgrimage rules, but Szeth logically refutes him, forcing Nale to concede. Meanwhile, Shallan strategizes with Renarin and Rlain in the Spiritual Realm on how to combat the Ghostbloods, devising a plan to watch their visions from outside while sending in Lightweavings as avatars.

At the monastery, Szeth unwraps his newly acquired Honorblade while Syl contemplates Nale's role in the test. Syl initially struggles with the puzzle of how Moss used real people behind illusions, but her mind latches onto the riddle's exact wording: "twenty-nine of those standing here are innocuous; one of those standing here is deadly." She realizes the Lightweaver himself wasn't standing—one of the acolytes must be the hidden threat. Syl alerts Kaladin, who summons his spear, and together they kill a matronly woman who attempts to assassinate Szeth from behind. The dead woman evaporates into smoke, revealing herself as a Truthwatcher Honorblade holder. Nale accuses Szeth of cheating by accepting Kaladin's help, but Szeth logically argues that Pozen told him there are no set rules for the pilgrimage, meaning the intervention violated no actual laws. Nale acknowledges his error and concedes, though Syl grows frustrated with his contradictory nature. Nale reveals that the Windrunner Honorblade is corrupted after Vyre killed Jezrien and Odium claimed it, explaining why only nine Honorblades remain to be found. Szeth thanks both Kaladin and Syl before departing with Nale. Kaladin expresses frustration that he won't return in time for the contest and worries he's becoming obsessed with helping Szeth at the expense of other concerns. Syl reassures him they're both on journeys of self-discovery. In the Spiritual Realm, Shallan paces her sitting room with Renarin and Rlain, discussing the nature of Investiture and how anti-Light might affect the Ghostbloods' spren. Glys reveals that anti-Light could wound or kill spren if isolated from their human hosts. Shallan realizes that wounding Mraize with anti-Light while he attempts to heal with Stormlight could be fatal. Rlain proposes an alternative strategy: instead of entering visions directly, they could send Lightweavings as avatars while observing from outside, allowing them to ambush Mraize with the advantage of surprise. Renarin and Rlain consult with their spren, who approve the plan. Meanwhile, Shallan practices sleight of hand with spheres, triggering memories of those she's killed. Pattern comforts her by pointing out she's actually killed very few people compared to those she's protected, and that her concerns about hurting others are statistically unfounded. Pattern demonstrates newfound skill in human conversation, making jokes and offering mathematical reassurance. Shallan accepts the encouragement and returns to plan the next encounter with the Ghostbloods.