Szeth-son-Honor guards Dalinar and young Gavinor in an Emuli clearing, forcing himself to appear relaxed while obsessively scanning for threats. He converses with his talking sword and recalls Shinovar, feeling kinship with the traumatized child yet fearing his own instability. Szeth wants Dalinar to be an unshakeable moral anchor, but worries about Dalinar’s doubts and suspects Taravangian is plotting.

A highspren opens a rift and meets Szeth. Praising his vigilance a year into his oath, the spren approves Szeth’s planned crusade—cleansing his homeland—and insists on accompanying him to judge the truth. It warns that to progress, Szeth must become the law rather than rely on Dalinar, and that he may soon need to abandon his current duty for a greater purpose. Szeth accepts.

Returning, Szeth finds Dalinar speaking with a messenger about Taravangian’s requests. Dalinar mercifully allows items like paper, food, and light, though wary. Gavinor approaches Szeth and offers his wooden sword, a moment that both touches and unsettles Szeth.

The messenger then mentions Taravangian’s odd request: a perfectly round stone with a vein of quartz. Szeth recognizes it as an Oathstone, recalling his past as Truthless bound by such a token. Alarmed, he connects the request to potential manipulation.

Shaken, Szeth declines Dalinar’s invitation to practice. Gripping the wooden sword, he resolves to learn Taravangian’s plan and stop him before he can endanger Dalinar.