Chapter 23: Highprince of War

Spoiler Notice

This page contains a full summary and analysis of Chapter 23 of The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. It includes key plot points, character development, and thematic discussion. Read with spoilers.

Summary

The chapter opens with Adolin at a leatherworking shop, where two craftsmen, Yis and Avaran, examine the damaged girth strap from Elhokar’s saddle. They conclude the cut was likely an accident caused by a loose buckle, not deliberate sabotage. Adolin is frustrated because this undermines the king’s assassination fears. His companion, Janala, is annoyed by the unromantic outing.

A horn announces a chrysalis on a nearby plateau, but Dalinar does not call his troops, allowing Sadeas to claim it. Adolin’s disappointment reflects his growing impatience with his father’s unwillingness to fight.

Dalinar, meanwhile, speaks with his scribe Teshav about the investigation and other matters. He learns several highprinces are behind in payments for Soulcasting and decides to use price incentives to encourage compliance. He also orders expanded patrols against banditry, diverting a quarter of his forces.

Adolin visits the ardent Kadash in the temple to ask privately whether Dalinar’s visions are signs of madness. Kadash explains that Vorinism strictly rejects mysticism and prophecy since the Hierocracy’s fall; he suspects Dalinar’s experiences stem from war trauma rather than divine contact.

Dalinar meets with King Elhokar on his palace balcony. He proposes being named Highprince of War to unify the highprinces’ efforts. Elhokar is skeptical but agrees to consider it if Dalinar can prove the other highprinces are willing to cooperate.

As dusk falls, an unexpected highstorm forces Dalinar and Renarin to shelter in a crowded barrack with soldiers. The sight of their highprince seeking refuge among them shocks the men, and Dalinar dreads an episode that could expose his secret.

Key Events

  • Adolin learns the cut girth strap was likely an accident.
  • Dalinar refuses to race Sadeas for a chrysalis, deepening Adolin’s frustration.
  • Teshav reports on the girth investigation’s lack of evidence and on highprinces’ delinquent payments.
  • Dalinar orders the drafting of a royal missive to incentivize timely payments and assigns a battalion to patrol the Unclaimed Hills.
  • Adolin consults Kadash, who voices Vorin suspicion of visions and suggests Dalinar’s episodes are psychological.
  • Dalinar proposes the office of Highprince of War to Elhokar and receives a conditional promise.
  • A sudden highstorm traps Dalinar and Renarin in a soldiers’ barrack, risking public revelation of his fits.

Character Development

Adolin Kholin
Struggles between loyalty to his father and growing doubt about Dalinar’s sanity. His frustration with the Codes and his father’s reluctance to engage in battle simmers. His visit to Kadash shows a willingness to question the official narrative.

Dalinar Kholin
Displays political acumen by manipulating Soulcasting fees and patrolling orders, but his primary drive is to unite the Alethi under a single war commander. His fear of another highstorm episode highlights his vulnerability and the burden of his secrets.

King Elhokar
Remains paranoid and proud, quick to lash out about his father’s death but still capable of compromise. His reference to Gavilar’s assassination stings Dalinar, revealing lingering resentment.

Kadash
The ardent provides doctrinal context: true Vorinism denounces prophecy and mysticism as remnants of the corrupt Hierocracy. His counsel pushes Adolin toward thinking Dalinar is deluded rather than divinely inspired.

Renarin Kholin
Though quiet, his concern for his father is evident when he insists they take shelter, prioritizing Dalinar’s safety over his dignity.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Unity and Leadership
Dalinar’s push for Highprince of War is a direct attempt to fulfill the vision’s command to “unite them.” He sees structural reform as the only way to end the stalled war.

Burden of Command
Both Dalinar and Adolin feel the weight of expectation. Dalinar must navigate political minefields while hiding his episodes; Adolin carries the fear that his father is losing his mind.

Faith vs. Mysticism
Kadash’s explanation of the Hierocracy establishes a central religious tension. Visions are deeply suspect in Vorin culture, making Dalinar’s claims dangerously heretical—or crazy.

The Codes
Adolin chafes under the seemingly pointless restrictions of the Codes, while Dalinar views them as a legacy from Gavilar essential to maintaining discipline.

Highstorms
The chapter’s abrupt storm mirrors the internal tempests both Dalinar (visions) and Adolin (doubt) face. It also literalizes Dalinar’s loss of control.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter weaves together the assassination subplot, Adolin’s personal crisis, and Dalinar’s political maneuvering. The girth investigation appears to fizzle, suggesting Elhokar’s paranoia may be baseless—or that the real threat is more subtle. Adolin’s conversation with Kadash introduces the theological argument against Dalinar’s visions, framing the family conflict in religious terms. Dalinar’s proposal to become Highprince of War sets up the central political struggle of the novel’s middle act. Finally, the highstorm cliffhanger leaves Dalinar’s secret on the brink of exposure, raising the stakes for his precarious position.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Adolin seek Kadash’s opinion on Dalinar’s visions, and what conclusion does Kadash offer?
    Adolin is troubled by his father’s behavior during highstorms and wants an honest, religious perspective. Kadash explains that Vorinism rejects prophecy and mysticism since the Hierocracy; he believes Dalinar’s visions likely stem from psychological trauma rather than divine intervention, implying they are not holy but a sign of mental strain.

  2. What compromise does King Elhokar propose when Dalinar asks to be named Highprince of War?
    Elhokar refuses to immediately grant the title, fearing backlash from the other highprinces. Instead, he tasks Dalinar with proving that the highprinces are willing to work together under a single command. If Dalinar can demonstrate their cooperation, Elhokar will consider the appointment.

  3. How does the chapter’s ending highstorm threaten Dalinar’s position?
    Dalinar experiences violent, trance-like episodes during highstorms, in which he appears to rave and thrash. Being forced to shelter among common soldiers leaves him no privacy; if an episode strikes, his secret will become public knowledge, undermining his authority and feeding rumors of madness.

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