Original artwork, not a still
The Way of Kings · 2010
Opening narration, The Way of Kings
Szeth-son-son-Vallano, Truthless of Shinovar, wore white on the day he was to kill a king.
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
The plain sentence makes the outcome certain while leaving the motive mysterious. The white clothing turns an assassination into a message that demands to be seen.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for The Way of KingsShow the scene
This is the first sentence of the prologue “To Kill” in The Way of Kings. Szeth enters Gavilar’s palace during the treaty celebration wearing the conspicuous white required of a Shin assassin. It is the novel’s narration, not something Szeth announces aloud; the murder sets the larger conflict in motion.
Sources (3)
- Prologue, “To Kill”: the opening sentence before Szeth assassinates Gavilar. — reference 1Prologue, “To Kill”: the opening sentence before Szeth assassinates Gavilar.; selected line and sceneReference checked
- Prologue, “To Kill”: the opening sentence before Szeth assassinates Gavilar. — reference 2Prologue, “To Kill”: the opening sentence before Szeth assassinates Gavilar.; selected line and sceneReference checked
- Prologue, “To Kill”: the opening sentence before Szeth assassinates Gavilar. — reference 3Prologue, “To Kill”: the opening sentence before Szeth assassinates Gavilar.; selected line and sceneReference checked
Context reviewed
