Dalinar accompanies Queen Fen through Thaylen City’s temple tour, noting catastrophic damage and crowded makeshift hospitals. Confronted with the scope of suffering, Taravangian appears, weeps, and requests a spanreed to summon Kharbranth’s surgeons via the Oathgates; Fen—still noncommittal politically—allows it. Dalinar offers troops for rebuilding, but senses hostility among her officers, especially her son.

Seeking a decisive demonstration, Dalinar provokes a duel with Fen’s son under alternating advantage. He lets the young man run him through, then heals with Stormlight, declines his turn, and declares he doesn’t want their city. Though the crowd is awed, Dalinar feels ashamed that he led with fear rather than trust.

With the words “Unite them” echoing, Dalinar perceives the temple’s fractured spren yearning for wholeness. Embracing his Bondsmith nature, he heaves the fallen lintel back into place and uses Stormlight to knit the cracked carvings, fully restoring the entrance. He immediately calls for Renarin to aid the wounded.

Dalinar then helps reassemble a toppled statue at another temple while Renarin heals recent injuries, delighting citizens and reframing the Radiants as builders and caretakers, not conquerors. Fen watches as her son, now respectful, assists in the work.

Dalinar appeals to Fen for true partnership, arguing he needs non-Alethi perspectives to face an unprecedented enemy. Fen agrees to join a coalition with Dalinar and Taravangian, will allow Alethi troops to help in Thaylen City, and will write the Prime of Azir—warning that Vorin-style forcefulness will backfire there and recommending a softer approach.