103. Hypocrite

Dalinar experiences what appears to be a vision of Nohadon in an ancient market city, but it differs significantly from their previous encounter. As they shop together, massive stone creatures approach, forcing Dalinar to confront uncomfortable truths about his principles and hypocrisy. He awakes in Urithiru to discover it was not a true vision, and a suppressed memory from Gavilar's funeral suddenly becomes vivid in his mind.

Dalinar awakens in an unfamiliar stone chamber after three days of drinking himself into stupor following his excommunication from the Vorin church. He recognizes the room from a previous vision of Nohadon, author of The Way of Kings, but this encounter differs from the last. Rather than the young, warlike king Dalinar previously met, he encounters an elderly, whimsical Nohadon who insists on taking him shopping for ingredients to make Shin loaf bread. They descend from a balcony overlooking a vibrant, colorful ancient city and enter a market tent. Throughout their interaction, Dalinar notices enormous shadows passing overhead—stone creatures he instinctively recognizes as threats, though Nohadon seems unconcerned. Nohadon shares a story about learning to make bread from a cook woman during a military campaign near Shin, then deflects when Dalinar asks what happened to her. When Dalinar confesses his despair about ruling justly while facing constant demands for decisive military action, Nohadon challenges him philosophically: asking what the cost of a principle truly is, and whether Dalinar expects life to become easier for doing what is right. As dozens of thunderclasts surround them, Nohadon explains that all things exist in three realms—Physical, Cognitive, and Spiritual—and tells Dalinar he has forgotten something essential about the journey he has undertaken. Dalinar awakens in his bed in Urithiru, realizing the encounter was not a true vision sent by the Stormfather. An empty wine bottle sits nearby. As he processes this, a suppressed memory from the night of Gavilar's funeral suddenly becomes vivid and clear in his mind.