While Shallan recovers from her near-poisoning and thinks over recent events, she comes to the realization that Jasnah has the ability to transfigure matter without external help. Shallan’s experience with the realm of beads is probably a similar ability.

Shallan confronts the princess about her discovery. Jasnah is at first incredulous so to convince her Shallan willingly enters the glass bead realm. She feels lost, but then Jasnah arrives and brings her out. The princess is angry and claims that visiting the realm, called Shadesmar, is incredibly dangerous. Convinced of Shallan’s abilities and her desire to learn more, Jasnah shows her the research she has been doing on the Voidbringers.

Szeth is sent to kill King Taravangian. He makes it into the palace and the king’s quarters, but a surprise waits for him there. The person giving him orders was Taravangian all along. He is a cunning man, pretending to be simple-minded. The king tells the Shin that the reason behind all the assassinations is not revenge, but a desire to create a more stable Roshar. The king takes him to a secret hall in the hospital where hundreds of sick people are located. However, instead of healing the patients, the healers are draining them of blood.