67. Song of Stones

Dalinar demonstrates his new Bondsmith ability to perceive the Connections binding all things, seeing thin white lines radiating from a soldier. He then visits the imprisoned Taravangian and confronts him about his betrayal, learning that Taravangian visited Cultivation and was granted one day of transcendent brilliance, during which he saw no viable path to victory against Odium and chose to preserve what he could rather than risk everything on impossible odds.

Dalinar practices his developing Bondsmith powers with the Stormfather's guidance, learning to perceive the Connections—the vast web of bonds linking people, spren, and reality itself. The Stormfather explains these connections exist but cannot easily be exploited by most people. Dalinar reflects on his separation from Navani and Adolin, resolving to master his powers and focus on the larger struggle against Odium. He then visits Taravangian in his guarded confinement in Emul. Taravangian reveals that he consulted Cultivation at the Old Magic and was granted a single day of transcendent brilliance. During that day, he perceived the future and saw no possible path to victory against Odium. Convinced defeat was inevitable, he chose to save what he could—particularly Kharbranth—by allying with Odium. Dalinar challenges this logic, arguing that no one can predict the future with absolute certainty and that Taravangian's true motivation was the desire for power and the role of a sacrificial leader. Taravangian counters that a king cannot make binding oaths without risking the greater good. Their debate centers on whether victory can be achieved through moral means. Dalinar insists that methods must align with ideals, while Taravangian argues that such purity is impossible for those in power. Ultimately, Dalinar decides to keep Taravangian alive as a prisoner, offering him the "gift" of being proven wrong when Dalinar defeats Odium. Szeth warns that Taravangian continues plotting, but Dalinar acknowledges the difficulty of trusting anything the prisoner says.