The Way of Kings Chapter 69: The Journey
Spoiler Notice: This chapter analysis contains spoilers for The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. Proceed only if you have read the chapter or don't mind revelations.
Summary
Adolin relaxes at an outdoor wineshop in the Outer Market with friends, including Toral, Jakamav, Inkima, Danlan, and Eshava. They discuss the surprise that Sadeas has not moved against Dalinar and debate Dalinar's reputation. Adolin defends his father, noting his recent battlefield successes, but the conversation turns to the restrictions Dalinar imposes and the rumors that he should step down due to his strange behavior during highstorms. Uncomfortable, Adolin departs for his duel.
Walking through the market, Adolin observes Dalinar's officers in crisp uniforms, contrasting them with the casual lighteyes from other camps. He begins to understand that the Codes are not merely about defending against a Parshendi raid but about discipline, respect, and treating war with gravity.
At the dueling arena, Dalinar reads a passage from The Way of Kings to Sadeas and Elhokar: King Nohadon's parable of walking hundreds of miles from Abamabar to Urithiru. Nohadon undertook the journey to experience the lives of his people and concluded that the method of achievement—the journey—matters more than the destination. Sadeas finds the story ridiculous but is mildly intrigued.
Adolin's duel pits him against Shardbearer Resi of Highprince Thanadal's camp. Using Windstance, Adolin dances around Resi's heavy Stonestance blows, cracking his armor piece by piece. He wins by shattering Resi's thigh plate, demonstrating superior skill.
After the duel, Elhokar questions Dalinar about his stance on the war. Dalinar admits he would leave the Shattered Plains if he could, but not from cowardice—to stabilize Alethkar and properly investigate the assassination. Elhokar surprisingly accepts this explanation, and Dalinar realizes he has underestimated the king. Elhokar's paranoia about assassins, however, is evident.
Sadeas presses for faster bridge tactics, and Elhokar proposes a compromise: on the next plateau assault, Dalinar will borrow some of Sadeas's bridge crews to catch up quickly after Sadeas engages the Parshendi. If the crews come under fire, they will retreat. Dalinar reluctantly agrees.
Internally, Dalinar resolves not to abdicate. He recognizes that fleeing would be cowardly and that he must see his path through, even if his visions are madness or suspect. He determines to plan cautiously but stay the course. The chapter ends with Sadeas asking for a copy of The Way of Kings, and Dalinar agrees to share it.
Key Events
- Adolin defends his father's honor during a social gathering.
- Adolin's realization about the deeper purpose of the Codes.
- Dalinar reads Nohadon's journey parable to Sadeas and Elhokar.
- Adolin defeats Resi in a Shardbearer duel.
- Dalinar decides not to abdicate, choosing to endure the burden of leadership.
- Elhokar proposes the bridge-crew compromise, and Dalinar accepts.
- Sadeas requests a copy of The Way of Kings.
Character Development
- Adolin: Moves from irritation with his father's rules to a genuine appreciation of the discipline and example the Codes provide. He also struggles with the weight of one day becoming highprince.
- Dalinar: Overcomes his desire to escape uncertainty and firmly recommits to his role. He shows flexibility by agreeing to Sadeas's plan but remains conflicted about the cost in lives.
- Sadeas: Projects an air of cooperation and amusement, but his request for the book hints at either genuine curiosity or strategic manipulation.
- Elhokar: Reveals his growing paranoia yet also demonstrates reasonableness and a capacity to understand Dalinar's perspective.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Journey Before Destination: Nohadon's walk teaches that how one achieves a goal is more important than the goal itself—a lesson Dalinar applies to his own leadership.
- Leadership and Burden: Dalinar's choice to remain highprince despite his visions illustrates the heavy cost of command and the moral weight of responsibility.
- Madness vs. Sanity: Dalinar's visions and Elhokar's paranoia both raise questions about perception and mental stability in positions of power.
- The Codes: Adolin sees that the Codes are not hollow rules but a framework for righteous conduct, transforming his view of his father's discipline.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point for Dalinar: he definitively chooses to stay the course, embodying the lesson of the journey. It also deepens the uneasy alliance with Sadeas—the bridge-crew compromise seems pragmatic, but for readers aware of Sadeas's earlier attempted betrayal, it reeks of hidden danger. Dalinar's gift of The Way of Kings to Sadeas may plant seeds of change or become another tool for manipulation. For Adolin, the chapter marks the beginning of his shift toward understanding his father. The tactical agreement sets the stage for the catastrophic events that follow, making this chapter a crucial hinge in the narrative.
Study Questions and Answers
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How does Adolin's understanding of the Codes change in this chapter?
Initially, Adolin views the Codes as outdated restrictions. While walking through the market, he notices how his father's officers stand out with discipline and readiness, while other lighteyes appear frivolous. He realizes the Codes are about treating war with gravity and providing a model of leadership, not merely paranoia about attack.
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What is the significance of Nohadon's journey parable to Dalinar's decision?
The parable stresses that the experience of the journey—the method—shapes a person more than the destination. Dalinar applies this to his own crisis: rather than fixate on the outcome of his sanity, he must commit to the path itself. This insight helps him reject abdication and embrace the uncertainty of his leadership.
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Why does Dalinar agree to use Sadeas's bridge crews, and what does this foreshadow?
Dalinar faces pressure from Elhokar and a desire to maintain the new cooperation with Sadeas. The compromise seems safe—only using the crews when they won't be exposed to arrows. However, his agreement shows a dangerous willingness to bend his principles, reminiscent of Sadeas's earlier betrayal at the Tower. It foreshadows the disastrous consequences of trusting Sadeas's methods.