Dalinar plays with young Gavinor, who solemnly asks if his father was brave and whether his mother was evil. Dalinar reassures him that Elhokar died bravely and that Aesudan was controlled by the enemy, affirming that Gavinor’s mother loved him. The weary child clutches his wooden sword and turns in early, underscoring his lingering trauma.

Leaving the home, Dalinar reflects on the Azish unease with Alethi families at war and spends the day smoothing tensions after Jasnah’s public duel with Ruthar. He confirms the legality of her actions, speaks with Relis to secure loyalty, and arranges for Ruthar to be housed under watch in Azimir. He notes Azish distaste for trials by sword and worries over Jasnah’s intent to neuter the Alethi monarchy. At the Windrunner stewfire, Dalinar tacitly approves the tradition and joins Renarin.

Renarin raises his recent “episode,” lamenting that his former blood sickness was cured only for a more dangerous fits-like futuresight to replace it. Dalinar urges that even suspect information can be useful. They walk into the dark outskirts, where Renarin says he can deliberately summon the captured vision so he can describe it accurately.

In Renarin’s stained-glass vision, Dalinar appears in white Plate, pierced by a black arrow, while Odium dominates as a fractal, sunlike window. Renarin interprets this as Dalinar fighting distractions while Odium avoids committing to a contest he could lose, intending to stall terms and sustain endless war. They discuss the broken Oathpact and how Fused now return without check; Dalinar considers restoring the Oathpact or finding a new deterrent. Odium is not omniscient but likely sees possibilities, as Renarin does.

Renarin identifies a spreading blackness as himself—his bond with Glys creates futuresight that alters his choices and obscures Odium’s view, shielding those near him. Dalinar embraces this as a blessing and encourages openness. Renarin reports Sja-anat has changed only a handful of consenting spren and may be pursuing peace, though she is currently silent and perhaps nearby. As the vision crumbles, Dalinar asks Renarin to bring future episodes to him. Comforted, Renarin leans on his father while Glys urges finding more like them, and Renarin considers a perfect candidate.