Difference between revisions of "Summary:The Way of Kings"

;Five and a half years ago:

Brightlord Roshone and his son Rillir were attacked by whitespine while on a hunt for them. TheyRillir areis bothmortally wounded, Rillir fatally so. Lirin tries to save Rillirhim, but realizes it is hopeless, and so he turns his attention to Roshone, who tellsdemands himthat tohe go back to helping his son. Lirin refuses, explaining the guidelines of a surgeon with two patients: Ifif the wounds are equal, treat the youngest first.; Ifif the wounds are not equally threatening, treat the worst wound first. AThe third guideline supersedes the first two: a surgeon must know when someone is beyond their ability to help. While stitching up part of Roshone's wound, Lirin's knife is dangerously close to a major artery. He hesitates and his hand shakes, but he continues and saves Roshone's life.

While stitching up part of Roshone's wound, Lirin's knife is dangerously close to a major artery. He hesitates and his hand shakes, but he continues and saves Roshone's life. Kaladin asks Lirin later why he didn't cut the artery and let Roshone die, as it would've solved all of their problems. Lirin says it would've have been murder, and he is not a killer. Even if the lighteyes don't care about life, somebody has to start caring. Kaladin realizes that, given the option, he would've have let Roshone die. He decides that just as some body parts are beyond repair in a surgery, some people need to be removed.