Vow of Thieves

“Only now did I understand the unbearable weight of secrets. You can never know their true burden until they’ve been lifted from you. These past weeks we had been swept up in the near-giddy lightness of truth. […] Though our truthfulness was a heady elixir that I wanted more of, the closer we got to Tor’s Watch, the more I felt the weight of new secrets creeping back in.”

Kazi is in a difficult position: Although she is married to Jase and wants to support him, her loyalty to the Queen takes precedence. The Queen has ordered Kazi to secure or destroy documents related to the Ballengers’ weapons. Destroying these papers could damage her relationship with Jase. Yet, she refuses to tell him about her assignment despite their growing honesty with each other, illustrating the difficulties with Secrets and Deceptions.

“We. Everything was we now. We wove our dreams together like armor. Nothing could stop us now.”

Kazi and Jase’s relationship undergoes a significant transformation from the previous book in the duology, Dance of Thieves, evolving from an adversarial relationship to a cooperative one. This quote highlights their shared dreams and mutual support, portraying their newfound view of each other as family. The use of “we” in this passage symbolizes their partnership and collective strength. The metaphor of weaving “dreams together like armor” indicates that their shared aspirations offer them protection and resilience. This sentiment is poignant, given the reader’s awareness of the challenges and betrayals awaiting them.

“Tomorrow, Kazi, die tomorrow.”

This quote is one of Kazi’s mantras that guides her through challenging times. Given the perpetual instability of Kazi’s future, her primary objective often revolves around mere momentary survival. However, in this instance, the mantra fails to provide solace, eliciting an initial response of “no” from Kazi. Despite typically serving as a source of comfort and encouragement, these words prove ineffective in the aftermath of Jase’s death.

“Rybart and his men were dead and gone. Now it was a town that had been invaded, and these soldiers were there to squelch any opposition.”

Rybart, a merchant with whom Jase had contentious dealings due to his relentless pursuit of power, attempted to seize control in Jase’s absence. However, Rybart’s bid for power was a ruse, enabling King Montegue to assert authority over the town and the arena. Montegue manipulates the narrative to portray himself as a savior of Hell’s Mouth. However, in reality, his actions mirror those of Rybart, as both sought to invade and dominate the territory, illustrating the theme of Secrets and Deceptions.

“I was playing for Jase, and the vows I made to him and, by default, his family. His blood vow was mine. And I had yet another vow—to the queen. Find the papers and destroy them. You can juggle all that now, can’t you, Kazi? Just don’t drop an orange. Not a single one, or you’re done.”

The motif of juggling permeates the series, both literally and figuratively. In this passage, juggling represents the contradiction between The Power of Family and Community and Secrets and Deceptions. Kazi struggles to balance these two conflicting goals. Loyal to Jase, she adopts his blood vow as her own. However, her mission from the queen requires her to destroy documents, potentially putting her at further odds with the Ballenger family. This quote captures a vulnerable moment for Kazi as she struggles to manage both tasks.

“‘They’re forgetting the Patrei,’ he whispered, almost to himself. ‘Moving forward. Soon they’ll only remember me, as it should have been all along.’ But I sensed it was more than just progress he wanted. That while he hated Jase, some part of him wanted to be Jase. Power was only part of it. He wanted to be loved, the way Jase had been loved. The way Jase was still loved.”

In the first sections of Vow of Thieves, Montegue appears as a near-invincible antagonist. He is an expert manipulator backed by a significant military force. However, this quote illustrates one of Montegue’s key weaknesses: his insecurity, specifically regarding Jase. This weakness is critical to the story’s eventual conclusion, but at this point, it provides Kazi with a weakness she can manipulate.

“Sometimes you have to remind yourself that you’re not powerless. That you have some measure of control. Maybe that’s what makes you brave enough to face another day.”

Jase recalls a conversation with Kazi in which she recounted stealing a button from a merchant’s waistcoat while he wore it. At the time, Jase did not understand why Kazi took such an unnecessary risk. However, now that they are apart, Jase gains a new understanding of Kazi’s words. For the first time, Jase struggles with a lack of autonomy and gains new insights into what life must have been like for Kazi. Her words help to carry him through difficult times.

“All of this, everything you’ve done, none of it was ever about restoring order […]. Just the opposite. You were the architect behind it all.”

Kazi finally realizes the depth of Montegue’s deceptions—the time, consideration, and manipulations involved. Montegue’s actions, initially portrayed by his people as efforts to restore order, are exposed as deliberate chaos, emphasizing Montegue’s role as the manipulative architect behind the turmoil. This revelation highlights the theme of Secrets and Deceptions, illustrating how deceptions masked Montegue’s true agenda. It also serves to unmask the true nature of power and control, demonstrating that chaos can be wielded by those who seek to manipulate and dominate.

“Should I take a chance on another Ballenger? Or did Paxton have other motives than what he had told me? Most people did. Our wants were rarely all wrapped up in one neat package. Even mine weren’t. […] I glanced sideways at Paxton. I had never brought anyone else into my plans before. It created a whole new kind of fear inside me.”

This quote marks a turning point for Kazi, who has long struggled with trust. She hesitates to trust Paxton not only because of her past experiences but also because of his conflicts with the Ballenger clan. Kazi’s eventual trust in Paxton underscores The Power of Family and Community, even as Paxton’s behavior highlights the themes of Secrets and Deceptions.

“When you have no strength left, you have no choice but to reach deep and find more, and then share it. It is the Patrei’s job to lead.”

Jase reflects on the burdens and responsibilities of leadership. He acknowledges that true strength is not about personal endurance but inspiring and uplifting others, especially in times of crisis. By emphasizing the Patrei’s role to lead by example, he underscores the importance of resilience and communal support in leadership. This perspective reinforces the novel’s themes of sacrifice, responsibility, and The Power of Family and Community.

“The gods favored Montegue? How lucky for him. I wasn’t sure if even he believed it himself, but he had to paint the picture of his rightness, the sheer holiness of his plan. If he said it enough times, it would become true.”

Kazi acknowledges the intricate interplay between confidence and deception. Montegue justifies his actions by claiming divine sanction, yet Kazi perceives that he is merely deceiving himself. This self-deception allows Montegue to maintain his self-image as a righteous ruler.

“Know your enemies as well as you know your allies. Know them better. Make their business yours. But I hadn’t known the king was an enemy. Neither had my father. And now it seemed that was exactly how he planned it. Neither of us ever suspected he was working with Beaufort. […] The king was only a farmer to us, and not even a good one. We had no reason to suspect him. We might as well have been told that horses could fly, and that was what he was counting on.”

Reflecting on Montegue’s deception and manipulation of perceptions, Jase confronts the depth of his own misjudgment. Initially preoccupied with more immediate threats, Jase realizes that Montegue’s ability to obscure his true intentions allowed him to establish control without early detection. This realization speaks to Montegue’s cunning and underscores Jase’s growth in understanding the complexities of leadership and strategy. This revelation prompts Jase to reassess his approach to leadership, emphasizing the importance of discernment and foresight in identifying and countering hidden threats. Ultimately, Jase’s evolving awareness is pivotal in his character development, marking a shift towards a more astute and vigilant leadership style.

“But the truth was, they were Kazi’s family, and that made them mine too. And they were laying their lives on the line for her—that made them an even deeper kind of family.”

Jase underscores the novel’s themes of The Power of Family and Community and the bonds forged through loyalty and sacrifice. His acknowledgment that Kazi’s friends are now his family highlights the merging of their lives and responsibilities. It also emphasizes the deep connections beyond blood relations, as those willing to risk their lives for loved ones embody an even more profound sense of family. This quote reflects the novel’s exploration of how true family is defined by commitment and shared values rather than lineage.

“Family listens. They will love you. They will listen. They will listen.”

Jase’s words to Kazi offer a simplified but ultimately misleading explanation, ironically contributing to Kazi’s sense of betrayal. He emphasizes the foundational role of family in providing support and attentive listening, suggesting they are inherently understanding and empathetic even amid conflict. However, Kazi discovers these words to be untrue in her own experience with the Ballengers, who initially fail to listen to her explanations or accept her as part of the family. Nevertheless, these words foreshadow later events when the family eventually reconciles and heals through truly listening to each other.

“Maybe I finally understood that history wasn’t just written on walls and in books but made in a thousand daily decisions, and some of them went wrong, some went right, and some decisions just had to be made because time was running out. Waiting for someone else to write your history was no way to live. Sometimes it was only a certain way to die.”

Jase reflects on his family’s extensive legacy and historical records, discovering that the narratives he once viewed as tales of bravery and foresight are, in reality, marked by desperation. This revelation complicates Jase’s understanding of his heritage, but it also offers him a sense of solace amidst the turmoil caused by Montegue’s relentless attacks. Instead of passively awaiting Montegue’s next move, Jase consciously opts to employ desperate measures to protect his family. This decision signifies a pivotal moment of agency and determination in Jase’s leadership, driven by the urgent threats facing Tor’s Watch.

“‘Did you hear that? The crowd? They love me. I am not a nothing king. I am a great one.’ My lips moved, but I wasn’t sure if I said the words aloud. Fool. You’re a fool, Montegue. Truly great leaders don’t have to chase love. It finds them.”

Montegue’s need for validation and self-affirmation exposes his insecurity and highlights a recurring argument in the novel about the nature of leadership. His belief that greatness hinges on external admiration and love sharply contrasts with the novel’s portrayal of true leadership, in which genuine respect is earned through actions rather than sought through manipulation or deceit.

“‘When you discovered your mistake, you risked everything to right it,’ I replied. ‘I suppose that’s all any of us can ever do. Try to make it right.’”

This quote marks a pivotal moment highlighting the novel’s theme of Loyalty, Betrayal, and Forgiveness. Kazi’s acknowledgment of the Ballengers’ effort to correct their mistakes reflects her own journey of understanding and forgiveness. It underscores that in the face of betrayal, true loyalty and strength lie in the willingness to rectify errors and seek reconciliation. Kazi’s decision to grant forgiveness illustrates her belief in redemption and the transformative power of forgiveness within relationships, ultimately reinforcing the theme of forgiveness as a crucial element in healing and strengthening bonds.

“‘I failed miserably last night, didn’t I? I don’t know how to be a daughter or a sister in a family like yours, Jase. I never know what to say or do.’ ‘No one expects you to be anyone but who you are, and right now everyone thinks you’re a hero. I’d run with that if I were you.’ She sighed. ‘It was awkward around the table. You’re all a finely tuned machine, and I’m the oddly shaped cog that doesn’t fit.’ ‘You think we’re all alike? […] A family’s not a puzzle with a set number of pieces. It’s more like a well—the fuller, the better.’”

Jase reassures Kazi about her place within the Ballenger family, emphasizing that their family is not defined by uniformity but by diversity and collective growth. His analogy of the family as a well highlights the idea that each member contributes uniquely, and the richness of their shared experiences strengthens their bonds rather than erasing individuality. Jase’s words underscore the family’s capacity to accommodate differences and support each member’s individuality, fostering a sense of inclusivity and unity despite their diverse backgrounds and personalities, emphasizing The Power of Family and Community.

“‘The world is about to end. There’s no time for this.’ She was right. There was never time for last words.”

Synové’s interruption of Kazi and Jase during an intimate moment underscores the necessity of juggling priorities amidst adversity. Like the skill of juggling, Kazi cannot afford to dwell on the potential consequences of failure; doing so risks dropping all the metaphorical objects she is balancing. Instead, she must concentrate on the present moment, handling one challenge at a time to ensure success. Synové reminds her that dwelling on final words or outcomes guarantees failure, as it distracts from the immediate tasks and undermines focus and resolve.

“What Jase was thinking I wasn’t sure. Maybe he saw all the months that Beaufort strung him along, all the false hope he had nursed for a fever cure […]. I saw a room bursting with dreams. Karsen Ballenger’s dreams, Vairlyn’s, Montegue’s. Different dreams that had all gone very wrong.”

In reflecting on the cellar beneath Tor’s Watch, filled with rows of munitions coveted by various characters, Kazi contemplates the divergent dreams and perceptions that imbue the room with immense value. For Jase, the room might symbolize the culmination of hopes dashed by Beaufort’s false promises of a cure, mingled with the legacy of his family’s aspirations for power and security. Kazi sees beyond immediate appearances to the intertwined dreams of Karsen, Vairlyn, and Montegue, each harboring ambitions that have spiraled into disillusionment and misfortune. The juxtaposition of these contrasting dreams in a single space underscores the novel’s exploration of how aspirations, perceptions, and the pursuit of power intersect and ultimately collide.

“‘They have nowhere else to go.’ Like the king. Hell’s Mouth was his gateway to the universe—proof that he was not a nothing king like the father he had murdered. The gods had given all this to him, after all. He would never let it go. It was a legacy he was owed.”

Kazi comprehends the profound extent of Montegue’s desperation and self-deception. Montegue’s fixation on Hell’s Mouth as his gateway to power and legitimacy illustrates his delusion that divine providence justifies his actions. Unlike Banques and Zane, whose motivations are fueled by personal ambition or revenge, Montegue’s sense of entitlement to Hell’s Mouth binds him inexorably to his delusions. For Montegue, relinquishing control of Hell’s Mouth would shatter the facade he has constructed around his rule and expose the emptiness of his claims to legitimacy. Thus, Kazi’s insight exposes not only Montegue’s desperate grip on power but also the fragile nature of his self-deception, revealing a crucial dimension of his character and the novel’s exploration of power, delusion, and the consequences of unchecked ambition.

“You’re going to be fine. Maybe some lies, maybe most of them, were lies we only told to ourselves.”

Jase contemplates the pervasive nature of Secrets and Deceptions, particularly self-deception. By acknowledging that individuals often lie to themselves, Jase confronts the complexity of his own motivations and actions. This realization underscores a broader theme in the novel, which is the blurred line between truth and deceit, and the personal and moral dilemmas that arise when individuals grapple with their own truths.

“Did you make a bargain with Death? Rage against him? Twist his arm? Make him watch over me? Make him push me to stay alive?”

Kazi addresses her deceased mother with a mix of anguish and curiosity, grappling with the role Death plays in her life. Her questions reflect her struggle to understand her precognitive abilities and the presence of Death as a constant companion. Kazi realizes that just like she struggled to let go of her mother, her mother, too, struggled to let go of her. Kazi’s questions illustrate The Power of Family and Community and her recognition of her mother’s intense love for her.