Eight years earlier in Kholinar, Dalinar stands watch at Gavilar’s meeting with highprince heirs, noting the king’s age and feeling the weight of his own trauma from destroying the Rift and losing Evi. Sadeas has spun events to the crown’s advantage, and Gavilar’s censure keeps the Blackthorn leashed. The sight and smell of fire trigger Dalinar’s panic, and he flees the den.

Passing his rooms, the scent of Renarin’s incense—Evi’s scent—drives Dalinar away again. He searches the servants’ stores for wine and finds none, his mind filling with weeping children and self-directed anger that twists into blame for Evi. In a corridor, he encounters Adolin, who eagerly invites him to watch a ranked duel. Dalinar responds with stiff formality but promises to attend, then hurries on.

Desperate, Dalinar goes to the Beggars’ Porch and drinks with the ragged beggar Ahu. Ahu speaks of “voices” and names entities—the Black Fisher, the Spawning Mother, the Faceless, and Moelach—claiming people invite such madness and pay the price. Dalinar drinks heavily, briefly quieting his inner screams.

Returning drunk, Dalinar pauses at the wrong door and overhears Adolin, Elhokar, and Gavilar discussing him. Adolin defends his father; Elhokar derides him as a drunk; Gavilar silences them both and proposes a trip—perhaps to Azir—to distract Dalinar. Dalinar reaches his room and collapses, his pain momentarily muted by drink but unresolved.