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Difference between revisions of "Summary:The Way of Kings"
→Chapter Four: The Shattered Plains
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===Chapter Four: The Shattered Plains===
Kaladin is sitting in the slave wagon, waiting for the caravan to stop for lunch. The windspren that has been following him asks him why he doesn't cry at night, while all the other slaves do. He replies that he doesn't cry because it wouldn't change anything.
Kaladin notices that it's well after the time that the caravan usually stops for lunch. After a few minutes, he realizes that it is because Tvlakv is lost. Tvlakv remembers that Kaladin was once an Alethi soldier, and might have knowledge of the lands. He asks Kaladin where he thinks they should go, and Kaladin asks for Tvlakv's map, which, when given, he promptly tears to pieces. Tvlakv then offers him an extra meal each day if he'll lead the caravan out. He also tries to persuade Kaladin that it's in his best interest to reach their destination, because Tvlakv won't let him escape but perhaps some other master would, allowing Kaladin to seek vengeance on Tvlakv and his previous masters. Kaladin responds that he doesn't want vengeance.
Kaladin also makes the point that Tvlakv doesn't actually believe what he's saying, or he'd never be able to sleep due to worrying so much about former slaves of his seeking him out. Tvlakv laughs and says that perhaps Kaladin is right, and perhaps Tvlakv just thinks Kaladin will seek out the first man who sold him into slavery, [[Highlord Amaram]]. Kaladin struggles to control his reaction, but fails. Tvlakv notes his anger at Amaram.
Kaladin realizes that if Tvlakv knows about Amaram, then he also knows that Kaladin isn't actually a deserter, as the official story given when he was sold says. Tvlakv acknowledges this, but says that it's the story they will stick to because men who are guilty of high crimes are difficult to sell at a good price.
Kaladin then tells Tvlakv that he doesn't know where they are or how to get where they're going, wherever that may be. Tvlakv shrugs and says he'll have to trust his memory, and leaves.
***
Kaladin and the rest of the slaves are huddled in the slave wagon during a highstorm. The wagon leaks, letting in wind and rain, with lightning occasionally giving them light to see by.
The side of the wagon opens a few minutes before the end of the storm, when the rain and winds are no longer deadly. This is because Tvlakv wants the slaves to be clean. When Kaladin notes that they are being let out a little earlier today and asks about it, though, all he receives as a reply is that Tvlakv wants them to be extra clean today. Kaladin realizes that they must be approaching their destination.
The windspren comes back. She had apparently left during the highstorm, but now tells Kaladin that there is a large group of people not far away. A few minutes later, Kaladin realizes that it's an Alethi war camp, and that their destination is the [[Shattered Plains]].
The other slaves are all excited, realizing that they will receive wages, and possibly be able to work their way free eventually. They also feel that maybe they will be treated more fairly by their masters here than they have been before. Kaladin mentally expresses his doubts, thinking of several lighteyes – Roshone, Amaram, and Katarotam are the exact names he uses – who have shown themselves to be corrupt rather than the honorable men they pretended to be.
He realizes that the one thing he still hopes for is that he'll be allowed to fight, to carry a spear, and maybe become again the man he had been before. In his own words, a man who cared. The chapter ends with Kaladin thinking that this is the only place he might find that still.
===Chapter Five: Heretic===
===Chapter Six: Bridge Four===
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