Summary:The Way of Kings

This page contains a chapter by chapter summary of The Way of Kings. We hope this summary will make it easier to find specific areas of the book, as well as providing a quick plot refresher for anyone who doesn't want to take the time to reread the entire book. Similar summaries will be completed about future books in the Stormlight Archive.

Editing Note from Andrew: I'm posting these as I read the chapters on my re-read, and they're bound to be messy. If you want to clean them up in any way, feel free.

Prelude to the Stormlight Archive

Kalak, one of the Ten Heralds of the Almighty, is walking a torn landscape after one of the Desolations. He is on his way to meet up with whatever of the other Heralds survived the battle. He contemplates simply walking away in order to avoid the torture the Heralds are forced to endure between Desolations.

Instead of the other nine Heralds, Kalak finds only Jezrien waiting for him. Jezrien tells him that only one of the Heralds, Talenel, was killed. The other nine have decided that they will walk away, leaving Talenel to uphold the Oathpact alone.

The Heralds abandon mankind, leaving them in the care of the Knights Radiant and Talenel. They tell the men who fought with them that they have finally beaten the Voidbringers for good, and leave Talenel and mankind to their respective fates.

Prologue: To Kill

The prologue begins 4500 years later with Szeth, a Truthless Shin assassin, waiting quietly in a large room, watching the Alethi celebrate the signing of a peace treaty with the Parshendi. He leaves the room, noting that his Parshendi masters will soon withdraw. Szeth notes that the Parshendi insisted he wear white, as their custom dictates, so that Gavilar could see him coming.

When he reaches the area just outside the King's quarters, Szeth uses his abilities as a Surgebinder to fight his way past the guards. As he reaches the king's quarters, he is confronted by a Shardbearer as the King flees.

Szeth fights his way past the Shardbearer, but soon realizes that the Shardbearer, not the man he's chasing, is King Gavilar. He eventually defeats him by causing the balcony to fall, though Szeth is nearly killed in the fight. When Szeth tells Gavilar the Parshendi sent him, Gavilar is confused and says, "The Parshendi? That makes no sense."

Gavilar then gives Szeth a strange black sphere and tells him, “You must take this. They must not get it.” He then instructs Szeth to tell Dalinar that he must “find the most important words a man can say.”

Because the Shin consider a dying wish to be sacred, he leaves a not for Dalinar written in Gavilar's blood. He takes the sphere and leaves.

Part One: Above Silence

Chapter One: Stormblessed

Five Years Later

Cenn, a new recruit in Brightlord Amaram's army, is terrified. He is about to face his first battle and has no real idea of what to expect. Cenn is pulled into a new squad, that of Kaladin Stormblessed, at the last minute for reasons he doesn't understand.

Dallet, a sergeant, picks Cenn up and returns him to the squad. They are soon joined by Kaladin, who asks Dallet to take care of Cenn during the battle as he won't know the group's signals. They then fall to discussing tactics.

The opposing force arrives and the battle begins. Kaladin's squad does not lose a single man. At one point, Kaladin singlehandedly fights off six enemy spearmen to save Cenn. When an enemy Brightlord appears, Kaladin and his squad attempt to take him out. They are hindered, however, by the arrival of an enemy Shardbearer. Cenn is killed by blood loss, and the scene cuts out.

Chapter Two: Honor is Dead

Eight Months Later

Kaladin is now a slave in a caravan, waiting to be sold, and struggling to retain his ability to not think like a slave.

When approached by another slave about escaping, Kaladin blatantly tells him that he has no plans to escape, because it doesn't work. A second slave approaches Kaladin and asks how he came to be a slave. When Kaladin doesn't respond, the other men tell their stories. It eventually comes out that Kaladin killed a man, but the one he didn't kill is the reason he's a slave.

Kaladin idly toys with a leaf of blackbane, contemplating using it to poison Tvlakv. A windspren in the form of a slender young woman, but only a handspan tall, speaks to Kaladin and wants to know what the blackbane is. Kaladin is surprised because she knows his name. In the ensuing conversation, he observes that she is much more intelligent than a typical spren. When she asks why he doesn't fight anymore, he responds that he's failed.

Kaladin sees Tvlakv going to inspect a sick slave, and tells him that the man has the grinding coughs, and will survive if given extra water. Tvlakv removes the man from the rest of the slaves, and Kaladin thinks he is going to give him water. Instead, Tvlakv brutally murders the man. Kaladin is upset over his failure to save the man.

Kaladin then realizes that in his anger at the other slaves' murder, he crushed the blackbane against the bars of the wagon, losing most of it.

Chapter Thee: City of Bells

Shallan Davar has just arrived in Kharbranth, the City of Bells. She is going through a culture-shock of sorts, amazed at the number and variety of people in the city.

After a short conversation with Captain Tozbek of the Wind's Pleasure, during which Shallan reflects several times on how she often says things that are improper because she likes being witty, she receives word that Jasnah Kholin, the woman she has been chasing for several months, is still in the city.

Captain Tozbek suggests to Shallan that her beauty is what brought favorable winds that allowed them to arrive in time. Shallan responds by saying that if that's the case, she must be beautiful precisely one-sixth of the time, as the other five times they landed, they were too late.

Shallan often thinks about her own beauty (or in her opinion, the lack thereof) in the next several pages. She has pale skin and red hair, when in her opinion, the tan skin of the Alethi and their black hair are what is considered beautiful. She mentions that she doesn't really know how to deal with people telling her she's beautiful or flirting with her, as she's lived a somewhat isolated life up until this point.

Shallan and one of Captain Tozbek's sailors, Yalb, go to make the trip up to the palace so Shallan can speak to Jasnah. When they arrive, she asks Yalb to wait for her outside the palace. It is revealed that Shallan had requested to be Jasnah's ward, and that Jasnah told her to meet her in Dumadari. Shallan has been chasing her from city to city ever since.

Shallan goes on at great length about how her house's finances are in ruins since the death of her father, and that if they don't find some source of income or other means of controlling their rival political houses, they won't last long. She also reveals that her request to be Jasnah's ward is somehow related to resolving her house's crisis, though she does not make clear how.

The chapter ends with Shallan turning a corner to come face to face with Jasnah and introduce herself.

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

As Shallan comes face-to-face with Jasnah Kholin for the first time, she thinks about how she hadn't expected her to be as beautiful as she is. Jasnah is exactly what Shallan thinks the ideal beauty – tall, Alethi tan skin, long dark hair. Jasnah is talking to a man who Shallan later identifies as King Taravangian of Kharbranth.

Jasnah and Taravangian seem to be negotiating over something, though Shallan can't tell what. As they begin to walk, Jasnah beckons for Shallan to follow. After a preliminary conversation, Jasnah mentions that because Shallan was so persistent in seeking her out, she will hear her petition to be her ward. Shallan is shocked, as she had believed that she had already been accepted as Jasnah's ward.

A lengthy conversation about Shallan's level of education ensues, in which it is revealed that Shallan has passing skill in most subjects, is very good in the sciences, excels at drawing and writing (the feminine arts), and is sadly lacking in history (and to some degree, logic and mathematics).

They arrive at the entrance to a room which has been blocked off by a large stone. Shallan realizes that the king's granddaughter is trapped in the room, and Jasnah is planning to use her Soulcaster to remove the stone in exchange for access to the Palanaeum.

Jasnah Soulcasts the stone, transforming it into smoke. The smoke is much less dense than the stone, and so explodes outward somewhat violently. The king retrieves his granddaughter and, when asked, agrees to take Jasnah to the Palanaeum.

Jasnah rejects Shallan as her ward. Shallan is frustrated, but decides to persevere in trying to become Jasnah's ward. It is then that Shallan reveals that she wishes to become Jasnah's ward not out of scholarly pursuit, but in order to steal her Soulcaster to help her family's finances recover.

Chapter Six: Bridge Four

Kaladin and the rest of the slave caravan have arrived at the Shattered Plains, specifically at the warcamp of Highprince Sadeas. They are taken to a women who is to decide whether she can use any of the slaves or not. She is impressed with Kaladin, and he tries to convince her to let him fight in the army. Tvlakv steps in and tells her that she is a deserter, contradicting Kaladin's claim that he is a murderer, and ruining any hope he had of fighting.

The woman decides that Kaladin and his companions are to be made members of the bridge crews. When Kaladin is introduced to his new immediate superior officer, Gaz, he immediately dislikes him. The feeling is mutual, and when the bridgemen are called upon almost immediately after Kaladin's arrival for a bridge run, he gives Kaladin one of the worst locations on the bridge, near the back, also neglecting to give him the vest and shoes bridgemen normally wear to protect themselves.

Kaladin is in severe pain for most of the run, and as malnourished as he is, struggles not to collapse. When they reach the end of the first chasm without a permanent bridge, Kaladin mentions how glad he'll be to go back. One of the other bridgemen mentions that they've got a long way to go yet, and that arriving is the worst part.

After several more hours of agony which will likely leave Kaladin scarred for life, they arrive at a chasm where the Parshendi are already waiting on the other side. Gaz has the bridgemen switch locations, so those in the back move to the front, and those in the front move to the back. The bridge crews hurriedly drop their bridges into place, all the while taking heavy fire from the Parshendi. Every man on the front row except Kaladin is killed. Kaladin collapses.

He wakes up several hours later when the windspren who's been following him shocks him with some sort of energy (described as being like a slap, but without the force behind it). Kaladin realizes that if he doesn't leave soon, he will be left behind and will starve or die of dehydration. He asks the spren if she has a name, and she replies that she does, sounding surprised. As Kaladin takes the vest and shoes from a dead man, she tells him that her name is Sylphrena, and that she has a nickname: Syl.

Kaladin is told that if he wants to go back, he'll have to help carry the bridge. He does so, though he's exhausted. He thinks to himself that he'd been wrong before in thinking that there was nothing the world could do to him. Bridge Four is the final torment reserved just for him.

Chapter Seven: Anything Reasonable

Shallan is en route to the Palanaeum, hoping to convince Jasnah that she is worthy to be her ward. She thinks back on the state of her family's finances, pointing out that her family had been prosperous in recent years. Only now do they know that her father was Soulcasting marble deposits into their estates to increase their wealth. She also mentions that her father had been very skilled in politics, and without him, it's all her brothers can do to keep those who they owe money away. It's critical that she find a way to steal Jasnah's Soulcaster, because it will enable them to make new marble deposits and restore their wealth.

Shallan is allowed to wait for Jasnah in her reading alcove, though she is denied access to the Palanaeum itself. While she waits, she begins to draw several of the scenes of the previous few hours. She also writes Jasnah a letter arguing that she should consider Shallan for her ward because Shallan has always had to work to learn everything without proper teaching, and will therefore be much more appreciative of Jasnah's teaching and will follow more closely.

An ardent interrupts Shallan, introducing himself as Kabsal. He asks if he may wait for Jasnah with Shallan. Shallan graciously accepts, and it isn't long before Kabsal notices her drawings. He asks who taught her, and when she claims that she learned only from a few books by masters, Kabsal states that he needs to read more. Shallan repeatedly calls him by his title, Ardent, and he repeatedly asks her to call him Kabsal, or at most Brother Kabsal.

After a few more minutes of conversation, Kabsal reveals that he is trying to convert Jasnah to Vorinism. In an effort to learn more about Shallan, Kabsal asks her what she's fond of and is startled when she replies, “Jam.”

Kabsal leaves, asking her to let Jasnah know that he had come by to speak with her. She agrees, and she begins to lacquer her drawings. She realizes that she's been there for quite a while, and begins to gather her things, leaving a letter for Jasnah. She looks up to see a rather displeased Jasnah Kholin.

Chapter Eight: Nearer the Flame

Shallan feels embarrassed and foolish for having disturbed Jasnah again. Jasnah lectures her for a few moments about how she had already made her decision, then tells her to leave. Shallan does so, but after only a few seconds, Jasnah sends for her again. They talk for a few moments, and Jasnah apologizes for her behavior. Shallan asks what she thought of her letter.

Jasnah replies that she had not yet seen it, and reads it on the spot. She is impressed that Shallan was able to teach herself so much and notes the skills her letter shows off. She agrees, because of the change in circumstances, to allow Shallan to petition her for a place as her ward again once she has filled the gaps in her education, namely history and philosophy.

Shallan is pleased with this, but also realizes that it's not enough. It will take her years to develop the level of mastery that Jasnah will require, and her house cannot survive more than a few months more at best. She leaves the palace, planning to head back to the Wind's Pleasure.

Yalb greets her at the door, where he is playing a card game with several guards. He extricates himself from the game to escort Shallan. When Shallan scolds him for gambling, he tells her it isn't gambling if you know that you're going to win, and reveals that most of the game was spent with the guards trying to figure out how he was cheating and him trying to keep them from doing so.

When Shallan reveals her plight, Yalb tells her that she needs to try one more time, because the third hand wins most often. This comment inspires Shallan to make a last-ditch attempt to convince Jasnah to take her on. She realizes at this point that the worst that can happen is that she will be refused and forced to return to her family, something she was about to do anyway.

Shallan finds a book merchant and purchases a set of history books and several volumes on philosophy. Yalb helps her by pretending to be an assistant to a rival merchant, forcing the merchant to drive his prices down. Shallan then takes her books back to the Palanaeum and rents a reading alcove.

She has scarcely begun to study when she is interrupted by none other than Jasnah. Jasnah asks, “I'm never going to be rid of you, am I?” Shallan apologizes profusely for disturbing her – she hadn't intended to see Jasnah again until Jasnah was preparing to leave Kharbranth.

Jasnah asks Shallan if she intended to attempt to study quickly, then attempt to impress her before she left. When Shallan hesitantly responds that she did intend this, Jasnah asks to see her satchel. She examines the contents, pausing to look at each of the sketches. She asks Shallan why she made them, and Shallan responds that she made them because she wanted to.

Jasnah tells her to take her things and move them to a room that Jasnah has been granted by Taravangian. When Shallan asks her why, Jasnah replies that Shallan pursues scholarship in her free time, which is encouraging, and that if she can't be rid of Shallan, she might as well make use of her.

Shallan reflects on how she'd completed the first step in her plan, but now the more difficult task of stealing Jasnah's Soulcaster without being found out begins.