Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass)
Chapter 6
by Maas, Sarah J.The chapter opens with Dorian Havilliard, King of Adarlan, grappling with his profound sense of loneliness and internal turmoil. Despite his royal status, he despises the silence that now pervades his life, filling the empty halls of his castle and his solitary tower room. His inheritance has brought chaos and destruction—his throne is shattered, and his castle is in ruins. Dorian’s thoughts are haunted by the violence that led to his father’s death, the destruction of his family’s court, and the dark secrets of his lineage, including the demon within his father and the monstrous offspring from his mother. These revelations weigh heavily on him, shaping his sense of identity and destiny.
Standing on his balcony, Dorian reflects on the physical and emotional scars left by recent battles. His memories of captivity beneath the Wyrdstone collar are blurred, but nightmares reveal the horrors of torture, bloodshed, and guilt. He is determined to become stronger, seeking to regain control over himself and his magic, which remains raw and untrained due to the lack of guidance. His internal struggle is compounded by the absence of news from allies and loved ones, especially Queen Aelin, whose return remains uncertain amid the silence. Dorian’s gaze is distant, contemplating the fate of his friends Chaol and Nesryn, and the ongoing threat of Morath stirring beyond their reach.
As the chapter progresses, a sudden ominous sound—the distant boom of thunder and a horn—alerts Dorian to an imminent threat. His magic reacts involuntarily, causing the stones of his castle to freeze and the atmosphere to turn icy. From his vantage point, he witnesses a vast legion of wyverns, carrying armed witches, flying toward Rifthold in a coordinated attack. The city is thrown into chaos as the invasion begins, with the skies darkened by the monstrous creatures and the screams of its inhabitants. This assault signifies a critical turning point, revealing the escalation of conflict and the imminent danger threatening the kingdom.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the continent, Manon and her Thirteen are in relentless flight, having traveled without rest to reach Rifthold. Their wyverns are exhausted but driven by urgency and purpose. From their high vantage point, they observe the devastation from above, recognizing the scale of the assault on the city. The attack’s coordination and ferocity underscore the seriousness of the threat and the stakes involved. Manon’s focus on her homeland’s destruction hints at her personal motivations and the broader conflict that is unfolding across the continent, setting the stage for pivotal confrontations and alliances.
FAQs
1. Question 1
What internal struggles and emotional conflicts does Dorian Havilliard experience in this chapter, and how do these reflect his character development?
Answer:
Dorian grapples with feelings of guilt, helplessness, and a desire for strength throughout the chapter. He is haunted by memories of his father’s demon transformation and the violence inflicted upon his friends, such as Chaol. His reflection on the destroyed throne and the silence that accompanies his loneliness reveal his internal conflict—he feels powerless and burdened by the chaos around him. His attempts to reconnect with his magic and his desire to become stronger demonstrate his struggle to reclaim control and identity amid trauma. These conflicts highlight his evolving character from a prince who once relied on privilege to a young man seeking resilience and purpose in a fractured world.2. Question 2
How does the chapter depict the theme of loss and anticipation, particularly in relation to the city of Rifthold and the characters’ current situation?
Answer:
The chapter vividly portrays loss through the imagery of a shattered throne, the silence that Dorian endures, and the destruction of Rifthold. The city’s calm before the storm underscores a sense of impending catastrophe, emphasizing the fragility of peace. Manon’s arrival with her wyverns and the ongoing attack symbolize the loss of safety and stability, as well as the anticipation of further chaos. The silence from allies like Aelin and the unknown fate of Chaol and Nesryn deepen the sense of uncertainty. This duality of loss and anticipation underscores the precariousness of their world and sets the stage for upcoming conflict and upheaval.3. Question 3
In what ways do the chapter’s descriptions of magic and physical strength reflect broader themes of power and vulnerability?
Answer:
The chapter contrasts Dorian’s raw, uncontrolled magic with his desire for strength, illustrating how power can be both a gift and a burden. His attempt to harness his magic, despite its unruly nature, signifies a struggle for mastery and control—central themes in the narrative. The mention of the collar that once suppressed his magic and the scars it left symbolize vulnerability and the lingering effects of past trauma. The depiction of strength—whether through magic or physical combat—serves as a metaphor for inner resilience. The chapter suggests that true power involves overcoming internal vulnerabilities, and that mastery over oneself is essential in confronting external threats.4. Question 4
Critically evaluate the significance of the chapter’s opening scenes set in Dorian’s castle. How do these scenes establish the tone and foreshadow upcoming events?
Answer:
The opening scenes establish a tone of somber introspection and foreboding. Dorian’s solitude, haunted by memories of violence and loss, underscores his internal turmoil and the heavy weight of leadership. The imagery of silence and the shattered throne evoke a sense of desolation, foreshadowing the chaos looming outside the castle walls. His gaze toward Rifthold and the mention of Morath stirring hint at an impending conflict, emphasizing that the peace he longs for is fragile. These scenes set a reflective, tense mood, preparing the reader for the imminent attack and the personal battles Dorian and others will face, highlighting the theme of impending upheaval.5. Question 5
How does the chapter portray the interconnectedness of personal trauma and larger political or military conflicts?
Answer:
The chapter intertwines Dorian’s personal trauma—his memories of violence, loss, and feelings of weakness—with the broader chaos of war represented by the wyvern attack on Rifthold. Dorian’s internal struggles mirror the external threat, illustrating how personal pain can influence one’s capacity to lead and make decisions. His haunted memories and desire for strength reflect the emotional toll of leadership in a time of crisis. Similarly, Manon’s fierce pursuit of her homeland amidst the chaos underscores how individual and cultural identities are tied to larger conflicts. The narrative suggests that personal histories and emotional resilience are integral to navigating and responding to political and military upheaval.
Quotes
1. “Dorian Havilliard, King of Adarlan, hated the silence.”
This opening line immediately sets the tone of Dorian’s inner turmoil and sense of loneliness, emphasizing his emotional state amidst chaos and loss. It highlights the chapter’s focus on his internal struggles and the weight of leadership in a shattered kingdom.
2. “His memories of his time beneath the Wyrdstone collar were dim and blurred. But in his nightmares, he sometimes stood in a dungeon far beneath this castle, blood that was not his own coating his hands, screams that were not his own ringing in his ears, begging him for mercy.”
This passage powerfully conveys the lingering trauma and haunting memories Dorian endures, illustrating how past horrors continue to affect his present state and mental resilience.
3. “He tried to reel it back in—as if it were a ball of yarn that had tumbled from his hands—but it ignored him, spreading thicker, faster over the stones.”
This vivid metaphor describes Dorian’s struggle with raw magic, symbolizing his attempt to regain control over his powers, which reflects a broader theme of loss of control and the dangerous potential of his magic.
4. “He had heard that sound before. His magic roiled in his veins, and he wondered what it sensed as ice coated his balcony against his will, so swift and cold the stones groaned.”
This quote captures the moment of imminent danger, linking Dorian’s magic to external threats and foreshadowing the approaching attack, emphasizing the fragile balance of power and vulnerability.
5. “Spreading into the distance, blotting out the sunset like a storm of bats, flew a legion of wyverns. Each bore armed witches, roaring their battle cries to the color-stained sky.”
This dramatic description of the wyvern attack signifies a pivotal turning point in the chapter—an invasion that threatens the city—and underscores the chapter’s themes of war, chaos, and impending conflict.