28. Another Option

Dalinar faces rejection from Azir and struggles with his failed coalition plans, but discovers his lost Shardblade Oathbringer at the tower's base—apparently discarded by a murderer. After a philosophical conversation with Taravangian about justice and morality, Dalinar realizes the Stormfather can show visions to other people during storms, offering a solution to meet distant monarchs in person.

Dalinar receives word that Azir has sealed their Oathgate and refuses to join his coalition, leaving him with only Kharbranth, Jah Keved, and New Natanan. He pins his hopes on Queen Fen of Thaylenah, but she harshly refuses his pleas, citing legitimate fear of Alethi conquest given his history. Her rejection devastates Dalinar's hopes for a unified Eastern coalition. While investigating strange holes in Urithiru's walls (prompted by Shallan's disturbing sketch), Dalinar discovers his legendary Shardblade Oathbringer embedded in stone near the tower's base, apparently dropped from a window by the recent murderer. Despite the Stormfather's objection to him carrying a dead Blade, Dalinar retrieves it and returns it to Ialai Sadeas. When confronting Amaram, who stands beside Ialai, Amaram defends his past murders of the bridge crew, arguing that Dalinar is a hypocrite whose moral code is built on a foundation of conquest and bloodshed. Shaken by this accusation, Dalinar retreats to his chambers, where he finds King Taravangian warming himself by Navani's heating fabrial. The two engage in an extended philosophical discussion about justice, drawing from The Way of Kings, debating whether a ruler should hang four men when three are guilty but one innocent cannot be identified. Taravangian argues for hanging all four as the least evil option; Dalinar resists certainty. After Taravangian leaves, Dalinar steps onto his balcony and mentions to the Stormfather his wish to rewatch the Nohadon vision. The Stormfather then reveals he can show visions to any person during a highstorm, not just Dalinar. This revelation immediately solves Dalinar's greatest problem: he can now meet with distant monarchs like Queen Fen through shared visions during storms.