34. Blossoms and Cake

Shallan discovers that Tyn is an assassin hired by the Ghostbloods to kill Jasnah Kholin, and when Tyn learns Shallan's true identity as Jasnah's ward, she attempts to murder her. Shallan summons a Shardblade for the first time and kills Tyn in self-defense, then agrees to meet with the Ghostbloods despite the danger.

Shallan receives news through spanreed correspondence that Highprince Valam may be dead, which could affect her family's debts in Jah Keved. Tyn suggests they travel to Jah Keved after the Shattered Plains, claiming Shallan's knowledge of the region will be useful. Shallan becomes troubled when Tyn reveals plans to turn in Vathah and his men for the bounties on their heads, violating Shallan's promises to them. Tyn lectures Shallan about the dangers of believing in her own lies, warning that con artists who develop attachments to their fabrications often die. The spanreed then delivers devastating news: Tyn's mission in Amydlatn was to assassinate Jasnah Kholin, and the operation appears to have succeeded—the ship The Wind's Pleasure was lost with all hands. Before Shallan can react, the spanreed reveals that Jasnah took a ward named Shallan before leaving Kharbranth. Recognizing Shallan's identity, Tyn violently attacks her, demanding to know if Jasnah survived. Pattern, disguised as Shallan, speaks in Jasnah's voice to distract Tyn. During the struggle, Shallan summons a Shardblade and kills Tyn by driving it through her chest. When Vathah and the other soldiers arrive, Shallan coldly commands them to search the tent for evidence of who hired Tyn. She then uses the spanreed to respond to Tyn's Ghostblood contacts, agreeing to meet with them. The chapter ends with Shallan aware that the Ghostbloods—the same organization that killed Jasnah and threatens her family—are searching for information about the city of Urithiru.