Taravangian, frail and on a compassion-heavy, low-intelligence day, hesitates before sending orders for Jah Keved to betray the coalition. He revisits an edited fragment of his Diagram, weeping over past manipulations and fixating on its note about Renarin Kholin being invisible to prediction.

Odium appears in a blazing golden vision and commands Taravangian to proceed. As they speak, Taravangian presses about mercy and observes flickers of vulnerability in Odium’s light. Odium boasts of long-laid plans, his failure to claim Dalinar as champion, and his intent to preserve Kharbranth while consuming other humans in war.

Seizing a chance, Taravangian produces his Diagram fragment, goading Odium into destroying it and showing off his vast, paneled plan. In the display, Taravangian spots an expanding black scar where Renarin’s futures cannot be seen—and glimpses his own name near it. He deduces that proximity to Renarin clouds futures, meaning Odium cannot currently see Taravangian’s choices.

Reading Odium’s fears, Taravangian identifies a tightly written knot around the name Szeth—the Assassin in White—and realizes Odium fears Szeth’s sword. He infers Dalinar has secretly brought Szeth, explaining the link to Renarin’s masking effect. Taravangian notes Odium’s loneliness and pride, concluding the god can be tricked.

Returned to his wagon, Taravangian sends the spanreed command: “Do it,” initiating the Veden betrayal to preserve Kharbranth’s bargain. Dalinar’s soldiers—prepared for treachery—swiftly arrest him. Accepting near-term capture and likely execution, Taravangian resolves to covertly oppose Odium, armed with the knowledge of the Renarin blind spot and Odium’s fear of Szeth.