65 pages 2 hours read

Brandon Sanderson

The Way of Kings

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2010

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Prelude-Part 1, Chapter 11

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Above Silence”

Prelude Summary

In the aftermath of a bloody battle during the last Desolation, periodic cycles of cataclysm, the Herald Kalak hurries to meet his nine companions. His thoughts reveal that Heralds are doomed to eternal life. Whenever they die, they are sent to a place of “pain and fire” only to be reborn again (2). Kalak considers abandoning his task.

When Kalak reaches the meeting place, he finds only Jezrien there, as well as seven swords sticking out of the ground. Jezrien tells him that all but one Herald, Talenel, survived the battle, but the others decided to leave their swords behind and break their Oathpact. Talenel will be the only Herald left. In the meantime, the rest of them will attempt to break the cycle of Desolations in other ways. Kalak is surprised to hear this news as Jezrien was once a king, someone supposedly superior to other humans. Kalak realizes that all of the Heralds are too tired to continue saving humanity. Jezrien tries to reassure them both by claiming that people will still have the Knights Radiant. As the two begin walking in opposite directions, Kalak asks for forgiveness for abandoning Talenel.

Related Titles

By Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Elantris

Brandon Sanderson

Elantris

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Mistborn

Brandon Sanderson

Mistborn: The Final Empire

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Oathbringer

Brandon Sanderson

Oathbringer

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Rhythm of War

Brandon Sanderson

Rhythm of War

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Shadows of Self

Brandon Sanderson

Shadows of Self

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Skyward

Brandon Sanderson

Skyward

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Steelheart

Brandon Sanderson

Steelheart

Brandon Sanderson

Plot Summary

logo

The Rithmatist

Brandon Sanderson

The Rithmatist

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Tress of the Emerald Sea

Brandon Sanderson

Tress of the Emerald Sea

Brandon Sanderson

Plot Summary

logo

Words of Radiance

Brandon Sanderson

Words of Radiance

Brandon Sanderson