The Way of Kings

“White clothing for a killer was a tradition among the Parshendi. Although Szeth had not asked, his masters had explained why. White to be bold. White to not blend into the night. White to give warning. For if you were going to assassinate a man, he was entitled to see you coming.”

This short passage is one of the only instances where the reader gets a glimpse into Parshendi culture. For most of the book, they are presented from the Alethi point of view as lacking honor or culture. Their custom of assassination with prior warning, however, suggests that they are, in fact, honorable. It is simply Alethi prejudice that leads them to conclude that the Parshendi are barbarians.

“‘There are two kinds of people in this world, son. Those who save lives, and those who take lives.’

‘And what of those who protect and defend? Those who save lives by taking lives?’

‘That’s like trying to stop a storm by blowing harder. Ridiculous. You can’t protect by killing.’”

This quote is from a conversation between Kaladin and his father, Lirin. As a surgeon, the older man values life more than anything else and despises those who kill. However, Kaladin will be faced with situations where his only way of protecting others is to kill the enemy. In the case of the strange Parshendi and the chasmfiends, standing aside and just healing the wounded is not enough to save lives. Kaladin must find a way to reconcile his father’s and his own beliefs.

“‘Authority doesn’t come from a rank,’ Kaladin said, fingering the spheres in his pocket. ‘[It comes from] the men who give it to you. That’s the only way to get it.’”

This is an excerpt from Kaladin and Syl’s conversation after Gaz tells the bridgeleader that he has no authority without a rank. The soldier’s words prompt Kaladin to think about the nature of authority and leadership and what it means to have them.