During the Weeping in Kholinar, Dalinar fixes a smoky flue and sits with his pregnant wife, Evi. They discuss spren, change, and faith, highlighting Dalinar’s restless curiosity versus Evi’s serene devotion. Dalinar recalls Navani’s recent, passionate talk about spren that Gavilar ignored, underscoring his isolation and brooding.

Evi urges Dalinar to seek peace and contentment, even suggesting the Valley and the Old Magic, which Dalinar rejects. Their contrasting worldviews frame Dalinar’s inner conflict: he lives for battle yet longs to become better.

Gavilar arrives with urgent news: Rathalas—the Rift—is rebelling and demands Dalinar’s Shardblade, claiming Tanalan’s heir survived and deserves it. Confronted, Dalinar admits he spared the boy years ago, giving him to his mother to hide. Evi praises this mercy, and Dalinar feels pride despite the political risk.

Gavilar refuses to send an army, insisting on a political solution to prevent Alethkar from fracturing into perpetual regional conflicts. Dalinar, craving the fight yet outwardly compliant, doubts unity without force but refrains from contradicting Gavilar, crystallizing the tension between his violent instincts and the kingdom’s need for lasting stability.