Reading The Stormlight Archive: The Way of Kings - Prelude
Hello and welcome to my chapter by chapter re read of The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. This book begins with a prelude so I have decided to kick things off from here.
Below you will find a brief description of what happens in the chapter, followed by my own thoughts
P.S. For chapter summaries, I am going to be using the Fandom website as well as Coppermind as resources. I will be providing links. Please visit the website if you want more information and resources.
Please use this link to navigate my blog posts about this series.
Chapter Summary
Kalak, one of the ten Heralds, wanders through a torn landscape littered with dead humans, thunderclasts and other beasts. He is traveling to the Heralds' preordained meeting place (a rocky spire) for those who survived the Desolation.
Upon arrival, he finds only their leader, Jezrien, waiting for him. At first, Kalak assumes that the other eight must have died, for the battle was "furious". However, he notices that seven Honorblades had been driven point-first into the ground at the base of the spire. Jezrien then informs Kalak that the other Heralds have departed, abandoning the Oathpact. Kalak then admits to Jezrien that he can't return to "the place of nightmares", the waiting place of the Heralds between Desolations. Jezrein then tells Kalak to relinquish his blade as well, for " ... it is time for the Oathpact to end." This effectively leaves Talenel, the only Herald who was killed in the battle, alone to uphold the Oathpact and the sole sufferer of the pain and torture in the waiting realm.
Kalak is horrified and disturbed that both Jezrien and himself have been broken by the cycle of Desolations and that they are too weak to face their suffering. They plan to lie and tell the people that they finally won against the "enemy", and hopes that it might even turn out to be true. Their abandonment of mankind is somewhat diluted by the fact that Ishar, another Herald, believes that " ... so long as there is one of us still bound to the Oathpact (i.e., Talenel), it may be enough. There is a chance we might end the cycle of Desolations." Jezrien points out that man also has the Radiants.
Finally, both Jezrien and Kalak summon their Blades and slam them into the ground along with the other seven. They depart following opposite directions along the barren lanscape, vowing to go their own ways and to not seek one another, or any other of the Heralds. As Kalak is leaving the ring of swords, he looks back and notices a single open spot, "The place where the tenth sword should have gone." Kalak feels a deep sorrow and shame for Talenel's exclusion and thinks, "Forgive us ... ", then leaves.
My Thoughts
That opening was very cinematic. From the moment it started I could visualize what was happening in rich detail and Sanderson does a good job of putting you into the battlefield through Kalak’s eyes.
Kalak and Jezrien are definitely interesting. I really like the fantasy trope of an ancient order that has disappeared for millennia. I think its one of those tropes that I am never really going to get tired of any time soon. I’ve been reading the Kingkiller Chronicles recently and these guys remind me a lot of the Amyr.
There was some intriguing world-building at play here. My understanding is that Desolations are apocalypses that humanity faces and that this order of heralds have to fight in humanity’s battles until they die. Oh also, they play in Creative Mode, so they can die but they come back in time for the next Desolation. However, if they do die, they have to face some time in ETERNAL PUNISHMENT AND DAMNATION (thanks for that imagery, Brandon).
This begs the age old question we toss around during lunch, if immortality was attainable, would we want it? Living forever is fun, but what’s the cost? Seeing all the people you love, die? That’s an awful tradeoff and I’m not sure I want it. Now add ETERNAL DAMNATION to the mix and you get a very unappealing bowl of soup.
And this sucks for Talenel too. I would imagine that suffering ETERNAL DAMNATION (that’s the way that phrase is going to be written out from now on, I’m sorry but also, not.) is only made bearable if you are suffering along with your bros. But these guys just came out with the decision to stop this endless cycle of fighting in Desolations without their buddy. I would imagine he is going to be very pissed about that. I would be.
Great opening scene, I don’t really know what’s going on but that’s to be expected.
Onwards.
Thank you for reading!