Warren (Sword of Truth)

Warren is a fictional character in The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind.

Background

Warren is a wizard from the Old World who lives at the Palace of The Prophets in Tanimura. Physically he is described as average height though he appears shorter because he walks with a slouch. His hair is cut short at the sides of his head though curly blond ringlets fall from the top of his head. He appears to be in his late teens or possibly early twenties but is actually 157 years old. He wears violet colored robes, symbolizing his intermediate status as a wizard.

Richard meets Warren not long after coming to the Palace when Pasha is showing him around. Warren is interested in meeting Richard since he is The Seeker and “The Bringer of Death” as described in several prophecies Warren has been studying. Warren has the gift for Prophecy and spends most of his time in the vaults under the Palace, studying the prophecies given by former Wizards. Because of the restrictions placed upon because of his rank and his interest in studying, Warren has developed agoraphobia and never leaves the Palace.

In exchange for researching prophecies dealing with Richard, The Stone of Tears, The Boxes of Orden, and The Keeper, Richard helps Warren overcome his agoraphobia. The two bond and become fast friends. Richard shows Warren the beauty of the land surrounding the Palace and Warren tells him of all the prophecies that may help his cause.

It was Warren who told Richard about the spell around the Palace. Ann ordered Sister Verna not to tell Richard that those in the Palace age much more slowly than the outside world but Warren was the one who finally told him. Richard thought Warren to be younger than himself when in fact Warren is twice as old as Richard’s grandfather, Zedd.

After Sister Ulicia corrupts Pasha and she tries to kill Richard, Warren kills her to save his new best friend. The pain of killing someone he cared about – because there was no other choice – showed Warren could make the right decisions and was responsible with his gift – the real “Test of Pain” as Wizards intended it, not the torture the Sisters had misconstrued it as. This act of bravery allowed Warren to be rid of his Rada’Han after some 150 years of wearing it. Not too long after this Ann and Nathan faked their deaths and escaped the Palace and Verna became the new Prelate. Warren opted to stay at the Palace to learn more about the prophecies. It was during this time Warren had his first prophecy – one involving a false Prelate and the descrution of the Palace. Not too long after he was captured by The Sisters of The Dark. They placed a new Rada’Han around his neck and confined him to Nathan’s former hall. He was held there as a prisoner until Richard, Kahlan, and Verna took the Palace back and freed its inhabitants.

However, not too long after leaving the Palace with the Sisters and untrained Wizards who escaped before Emperor Jagang could take it, Warren began experiencing the pain of the gift again brought on by his new abilities. Warren almost died before Nathan found him and helped him, opening his mind to allow him to control the new ability.

Warren then worked alongside Prelate Verna, Kahlan, Cara, Zedd, and the others Sisters and Wizards in fending off the Imperial Order along with the D’Haran Army. After a major victory Zedd and Adie presided over the wedding of Prelate Verna and Wizard Warren as the two finally admitted their feelings for each other after all the years. However, their bliss was short lived. An assassin from Emperor Jagang attacked the camp, wounding a young novice who Warren tried to save. Warren was grievously injured and died not too long after. With his last breath he kissed his wife one last time and died in her arms.

At the time of his death he was 158 years old. It is presumed by his final words that he foresaw his death in prophecy.

References

External links

* [http://www.terrygoodkind.com Official Terry Goodkind website]
* [http://www.terrygoodkind.net Unofficial Terry Goodkind website] (endorsed by Terry Goodkind)