54. Veil’s Lesson

Shallan, disguised as Veil, meets with Mraize and the Ghostbloods in the Unclaimed Hills to deliver sketches of Amaram's locked room and maps she obtained during a break-in. Mraize is impressed by her artistic skill and offers her a place in the organization, but Shallan realizes she has made herself a target by revealing her exceptional memory and drawing ability. After leaving the meeting, she discovers the carriage she hired has been burned and its driver and parshmen killed—a message from the Ghostbloods that they can reach her.

Shallan travels to the Unclaimed Hills dressed as Veil to meet Mraize and other Ghostbloods. She presents detailed sketches of Amaram's room and wall maps drawn from memory, which impresses Mraize and leads him to believe she killed her former master Tyn to advance in the organization. Mraize offers her a position in the Ghostbloods but also makes it clear she is not yet one of them by allowing others to see her as a threat. Realizing the danger, Shallan uses her Lightweaving to hide in a boulder illusion while sending her carriage on a false trail with Pattern's help. Mraize is overheard discussing his search for information about Amaram and mentioning other mysterious figures in his network. Hours later, after her Stormlight reserves are depleted maintaining the illusion, Shallan walks back toward the warcamps only to discover her hired carriage burned and the coachman and parshmen porters slaughtered—a clear warning from the Ghostbloods that they can target her. She realizes her actions have led to innocent deaths and struggles with the moral weight of her infiltration.