Timeline of Events in The Shadow Throne
Event 1: Jaron vs. Roden
" But nothing has ever topped the ferocity of the argument on in the center of my great hall."
-Jaron, thinking, page 10, The Shadow Throne
In this scene, Jaron and Roden are fighting over how to manage and spread out their troops. They made a big scene about it because they knew if the spy heard about it then he would tell Carthya's enemy that their troops are spread out and vulnerable. This event is important to this book because it practically marked when the war started because their enemy would attack.
" Obviously, we'd had our share of disagreements. But none were half as loud as this current argument." |
Event 2: "I am your captain!"
In this event, Roden had already told Jaron that the soldiers will never be his men. Jaron tells him that people will not give him respect, but he has to earn it. Roden thinks about it and grabs a bucket, goes to fill it up and splashes the fire that his men are working on and makes sure that he gets his men, too! They rise, soaked, and unsheathe their swords, and they have some sort of standoff. Roden says,"' I am your captain and I have given you an order!'" Grudgingly, they eventually learn to respect him. It is important to the book because from then on, they work harder and more as a team. Also, they fight harder for both Roden, their King, and Carthya. It also might be a turning point in their way of fighting side-by-side of each other.
"' Go get it Roden. People won't follow a leader that doesn't know where he's going. Show them that you do.'"
- King Jaron page 108, The Shadow Throne
Event 3: Drumbeats
" Their drums got louder, bolder. The message in the rhthym was clear. They would be here soon, and we're bringing our defeat."
- King Jaron thinking page 432, The Shadow Throne
Later on, as Mendenwal was approaching a second time, with their drums warning of the slaughter they would bring, Jaron could tell that their men were getting skittish and even thinking of retreat! Suddenly, he realized that this drumbeat reminded him of an old anthem that many of these men's mothers had sung to them as children, and he began to sing:
“Let the winds blow, lad Let fall the deep snow. Let the stars fall, lad We’ll answer the call.” Some men started to join in with the singing, gathering courage as they sang: “Let the dark come, lad Ask not where it’s from. After the fight, lad We’ll see morning’s light.” This is important because they gather courage and then it was the turning point of the battle. |
"Others joined me in the next verse, and suddenly the drumbeats that had seemed so threatening now strengthened us."
-Jaron thinking page 433, The Shadow Throne
Event 4: " It's Gonna' Blow!"
"'The match is more even now,' I said to Mott.' We can win this.' Then I directed my attention to the me with me.' You have passed the test of courage, which is the hardest of all tests. Now is the time for battle, and I know you can do it. Stay on your horse to fight and keep moving. You hold swords in your hands, but remember that every part of you is a weapon. You have legs, and strong back, and best of all, you have brains. Never stop thinking, never stop looking ahead and making you plans. As long as you think, you will survive.'"
-Jaron giving a speech, page 510 The Shadow Throne
One of the boldest plans Jaron had planned, this had to be the winner! Jaron had known that they should advance on the Mendenwal camp, and not the other way around. He gathered 100 of their weakest men, but not as sacrifices as one might think, but to be the saviors of the battle. As Jaron left his tent to lead his men, he immediately noticed that Mott was included in the 100 weakest men, and Mott said that it was a shameful thing, right?! Jaron just smiled. They were all on horses and Jaron was hoping to be just faster than the soldiers from Mendenwal. Just before they had gathered the hundred men, he had ordered three climbers to climb on top of the dam and, on his signal, light the fuse that would explode the dam and sweep away the enemy's soldiers. As he arrived the enemy camp on a narrow trail, he taunted the soldiers, causing them to follow him and on his signal, the climbers blew up the dam. Swoosh! There goes a few soldiers from Mendenwal! The rest of the Carthyan soldiers came up from behind and attacked the Mendenwalian soldiers that had tried to retreat to their alcove. The battle seemed within Carthya's reach, but was it yet?
"As I strode from the tent, Mystic's reins were thrust into my hands. I climed astride and immediately noticed Mott already on his horse.
'What are you doing here?' I asked him.
'It's all very shameful,' he said. ''It turns out I'm one of you one hundred weakest men.'
'You're not.'
'I'm afraid it's true.' Even as he spoke, Mott couldn't resist smiling.'It's a source of great embarrassment, Your Majesty, and I beg you not to question me about it any further.'"
- Mott page 490, The Shadow Throne
This event was important because it not only led to a great defeat, but was also a great victory forCarthya.
Event 5: "Off the Cliff We Go!"
After a sort-of easy victory in Falstan Lake, Jaron, coming down from his position on top of the dam, heard,someone calling his name. He turned and looked into the fields and saw a beat-up Fink, limping his way towards Jaron, sobbing the whole way. He sobbed begging for forgiveness because he had led the Avenians to Falstan Lake after they had let Mendenwal get finished off. As realization dawned on him, Jaron looked around, seeing the colors of the Avenians turn his way, with their lead group ahead of them, which consisted of Conner, Vargan, Kippenger and two vigils.
"For all of Conner's arrogant claims that everything he had done for the benefit of our country, this was a complete betrayal of Carthya." Fink suggested they run, but there were Avenians before them them and a long drop behind them. Jaron asks Fink about how tight his hands are ties and he replies very! Jaron, being as stupid as he is ties the rope he was going to burn 5 minutes earlier and ties it to Fink's tied hands and jumps... off the cliff!! He hangs on tight until he sees a tree, grabs on and practically falls on top Mott which is waiting for him at the bottom. Whew, all went as planned!
This is very important because it gets Fink back, which relieves Jaron and relaxes him more. Also, it is a great defeat and gets him captured. |
Jaron and just been brought back to Farthenwood after giving himself up in exchange for medical supplies to be sent to his men, and he was beaten and bruised, but was still fighting. The vigils escorting him to the jail were anxious to get him cooped up in the dungeon, when Jaron, turning the corner, saw Roden and a girl that looked a lot like... Imogen. Stunned, he felt his world being tipped upside down, he rushed into the cell, and on the way grabbing the vigil's keys. The second he gets in he kisses Imgoen, finally realizing that she was what was missing in his life. He had been willing to make sacrifices before, all because he had lost the will to live because of Imogen's "death".
Event 6: The Worst April Fool's Day
" It was her, yet I could not fathom how she could actually be standing here. In only a whisper, I said, ' If this a trick, lease tell me now. Are you real?' It was a fool's question, perhaps, but I had to sure."
- Jaron page 643, The Shadow Throne
It is very important to the book because now, he is not only fighting for his and Roden's life but for Imogen's, too.