Chapter 6: The Shattered Plains
Spoiler Warning: This page discusses plot details from Chapter 6 of The Way of Kings. If you haven’t read it yet, proceed with caution.
Summary
The chapter opens with Kaladin in a slave wagon, branded with the shash mark. A windspren, which only he sees, questions why he doesn't cry like the other slaves. Kaladin replies that crying changes nothing. The slaver Tvlakv gets lost and argues with his mercenaries, Bluth and Tag. When Tvlakv asks Kaladin for help reading a map, Kaladin snatches it and tears it to pieces. Tvlakv is furious but realizes Kaladin is clever and tries to bargain for directions. Kaladin refuses, claiming hatred but also admitting he’s too weary for vengeance. Tvlakv reveals he knows Kaladin was sold by Highlord Amaram for a crime other than desertion, though he’ll pretend otherwise to avoid legal trouble.
The caravan endures a highstorm, with the slaves huddling in the leaking wagon. Kaladin, unafraid of storm myths, worries about the slaver dying and leaving them to starve. After the storm, the sides are taken down to wash the slaves. The windspren returns, mentioning others nearby. Kaladin sees smoke and, as they crest a hill, a massive Alethi army encampment spread across the Shattered Plains. He recognizes it as the war camp of Highprince Dalinar Kholin’s house. The slaves grow hopeful about wages and justice under Alethi law. Kaladin, jaded, suspects the system is rigged but feels a spark of his old self: a longing to hold a spear again and fight. For the first time in months, he allows himself a shred of hope.
Key Events
- Kaladin rips Tvlakv’s map, showing defiance and strategic mind.
- Tvlakv reveals he knows about Amaram and the false desertion charge.
- A highstorm forces the caravan to hunker down, highlighting Kaladin’s pragmatism and the slaves’ fear.
- The windspren alerts Kaladin to the nearby army.
- Arrival at the Shattered Plains, the massive Alethi war camps.
- Kaladin’s internal shift from despair to a flicker of hope at the prospect of battle.
Character Development
- Kaladin: Though numb and branded a slave, he still possesses sharp intelligence and defiance. His statement “I’m finished” is contradicted by his actions and the rekindled longing to fight. He harbors deep hatred for all lighteyes but recognizes a chance to reclaim purpose.
- Tvlakv: A pragmatic, cowardly slaver who tries to appear reasonable. His knowledge of Kaladin’s past shows the gossip network among slavers.
- Windspren: Persistent and curious, she serves as a silent observer, perhaps drawn to Kaladin’s suppressed emotions. She reveals a playful side but also a desire to stay with him despite her kin.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Hope vs. Despair: The chapter pivots from Kaladin’s hopelessness (“Why cry?”) to the faint spark of hope when he sees the army (“If he would find that anywhere, he’d find it here.”).
- Slavery and Dehumanization: The system is shown as brutal yet legally structured, with false charges and lip service to wages that rarely lead to freedom.
- The Corrupting Nature of Lighteyes: Kaladin’s hatred crystallizes: every lighteyes he’s known has been corrupt, “rotting corpses clothed in beautiful silk.”
- The Shattered Plains: A broken landscape mirroring Kaladin’s fractured life, yet also a place of potential rebirth.
- Spren as Emotional Barometers: The windspren’s focus on crying and her loyalty hint at spren’s connection to human feelings.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks Kaladin’s arrival at the central setting for his storyline—the Shattered Plains. It establishes his lowest emotional point while planting the seeds of his eventual re-engagement with soldiering. The interaction with Tvlakv clarifies Kaladin’s backstory and the injustice of his enslavement. The windspren’s presence introduces a fantastical element that will grow in importance. The chapter also sets up the contrast between the slaves’ naivety about Alethi justice and Kaladin’s cynicism, previewing the harsh realities he’ll face.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Kaladin destroy the map instead of helping Tvlakv? Kaladin’s act of destruction is a calculated act of defiance. It demonstrates that he still has agency and is not merely a broken slave. It also inadvertently makes him seem valuable by highlighting his cleverness, which might deter Tvlakv from harming him. The map’s poor quality gave him an opening to assert control in a powerless situation.
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How does the windspren’s behavior reflect Kaladin’s inner state? The windspren’s curiosity about crying and her decision to stay with Kaladin suggest she is drawn to the emotions he refuses to outwardly express. She represents a lingering sensitivity and capacity for feeling that he has tried to smother. Her persistent presence hints that Kaladin is not as emotionally dead as he believes.
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What is the significance of the Shattered Plains for Kaladin’s character arc? The Plains represent both the destination of his brother Tien’s dreams and the location of the Vengeance Pact’s endless war. For Kaladin, arriving there is ironic and almost cruel, yet it reawakens his desire to fight. The fractured landscape mirrors his broken spirit, but it also offers the chance to find a new purpose, moving from passive survival to active engagement with his fate.