The Way of Kings: Prologue

Szeth-son-son-Vallano, Truthless of Shinovar, is sent by the Parshendi to kill King Gavilar the day a treaty is being signed between the Kingdom of Alethkar and the Parshendi. He doesn't know why he is being sent to kill the king, or why the Parshendi wish to betray a treaty not even a day old, but he obeys his orders. He has been instructed to kill the king, and to make sure he is seen doing it in a very violent way. He uses his abilities as a Surgebinder (something that hasn't been seen in ages), as well as his Honorblade, to massacre dozens of soldiers and breach the king's chambers. Inside, he finds a Shardbearer in Shardplate and with a Blade ready to confront him, along with a multitude of soldiers. While Szeth is fighting the Shardbearer, he realizes that he is fighting the king himself, and eventually slays him with a powerful LashingArs Arcanum from an outside balcony, causing Gavilar to fall and collapse. As he is dying, Szeth tells him that he was sent by the Parshendi. The king is surprised and confused, but asks that Szeth tell his brother, " ... he must find the most important words a man can say ... ", and gives him a small, and glowing black orb.Szeth hides it later in Jah Keved Gavilar then dies, and Szeth (who, through his heritage, regards dying requests as sacred) writes Gavilar's message in his own blood on a slab of wood before he escapes into the night.
==Appearances==
Character	Type 	Description
Szeth 	POV 	Assassinates King Gavilar.
Dalinar 	Appeared 	Slumped over drunk, refusing to go to bed.
Jasnah 	Mentioned 	Szeth wonders where she is.
Elhokar 	Appeared 	Is seated at the head of the table in the King's absence.
Jezerezeh	Mentioned 	Szeth begins reciting the names of the ten Heralds.
Ishi 	Mentioned 	Szeth begins reciting the names of the ten Heralds.
Kelek 	Mentioned 	Szeth begins reciting the names of the ten Heralds.
Talenelat	Mentioned 	Szeth begins reciting the names of the ten Heralds.
Shalash 	Mentioned 	Szeth wonders why her statue is missing.
Gavilar 	Appeared 	Is killed by Szeth.
Sadeas 	Appeared (unnamed)	Decoy for the King. Mentioned as possible hirer of Szeth.
Thaidakar	Mentioned 	Gavilar believes he has hired Szeth.
Restares 	Mentioned 	Gavilar's second guess at who hired Szeth.
==References==