Interlude 8

Interlude 8 shifts perspective to Taravangian, now god Odium, as he deliberates between his intellectual and emotional sides regarding whether to continue his war or seek peace. He ultimately decides to pursue conquest and visits Dova (Herald Battah) in Kharbranth to recruit her expertise and loyalty to his cause.

Taravangian, having become the new god Odium, allows his intellect to rule first and examines his situation logically. He considers Cultivation's argument to end the war early through negotiation with Dalinar and other monarchs, but concludes this path is actually illogical: his forces are likely to win, off-world intervention is unlikely, and the power of Odium itself—which feeds on rage and conflict—refuses to accept peace. The power cannot be changed and abhors subtle emotions, preferring anger and passion. Taravangian realizes he must continue the war to keep the power satisfied and prevent it from abandoning him for another vessel like Ba-Ado-Mishram. He decides his best strategy is conquest of the cosmere, which requires building a command staff of capable, long-lived individuals he can predict and control. To this end, he travels to Kharbranth and the Palanaeum, where he takes time to appreciate the library's accumulated knowledge before visiting Dova's offices. He finds the ancient Herald Battah—now called Dova—managing his daughter's kingdom from the shadows. When he manifests before her, she immediately recognizes him as the new Odium. Taravangian proposes recruiting her crystal spike expertise, which can partially restore sight to the blind through sensing Investiture. Dova, motivated by wealth and compound interest despite her immortality and existing riches, initially hesitates at serving Odium, the being she was created to fight. However, when Taravangian offers her a planet of her own, she accepts immediately and agrees to gather her things.