r/bookclub • u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 • Aug 01 '25

First Law [Discussion 1/6] The Heroes (First Law World #5) by Joe Abercrombie: Start through Chapter "The Right Thing"

Hello bibliophiles I cannot wait to dive back into the First Law World with you all for more drama, murder and intrigue in The Heroes

Incase you need them the schedule is here and the Marginalia is here

Hold steady.......3.....2.....1......ATTACK!!!!!

Summary

BEFORE THE BATTLE

The Times (Ch. 1)

Curnden Craw approaches 8 men huddled round a fire near The Heroes. Hardbread and co, under Dogman, are Union men now and Craw is fighting against them under Black Dow. Craw and his crew have Hardbread and his men surrounded. He allows the Union men to leave without incident (to Redcrow’s chagrin). Craw sends new lad, Drofd, to ride back to let the other units know they came across one of Dogman's dozens scouting at The Heroes. The rest of the crew take up place near the fire that Hardbread and co just vacated. Whirrun's runes predict there will be blood.

The Peacemaker (Ch. 2)

Calder and his pregnant wife Seff are interrupted by Caul Shivers. Calder used to be a Prince, but now Black Dow wears his father's chain (Bethod). Seff is being held hostage to keep Calder in line.

The Best of Us (Ch. 3)

The chapter starts with Bremer dan Gorst's favourable report to the King about the war against the Northmen.

The column is bogged down by the wet mud. Gorst helps to push the supply wagon out of the mire.

Lord Marshal Kroy, commander-in-chief of his Majesty’s armies is in the headquarters (a cottage) with General Mitterick, Colonel Felnigg and The Dogman when Gorst arrives covered in mud. Lord Bayaz, First of the Magi, shows up with gold and guidence. Mercato in Styria is cementing her power while the Union is busy fighting Northmen. Bayaz wants the war wrapped up quicker as it is becoming too expensive and drawn out. Bayaz can see the big picture, therefore, he does not care about the details, only that a decisive battle is forced out ASAP. They decide to force the battle near Osrung at The Heroes. Word is sent to the various companies. Gorst offers to take the new orders to General Jalenhorm and therefore make it to the front of the action. Kroy warns Gorst not to be a hero. He is somewhat obsessed with Finree, who has arrived to see her father. She tells him the news that she is now betrothed to Colonel Harod dan Brock. Brock was pardoned by the king after his father, Lord Brock, made a play for the crown. Brock has proved his loyalty. Gorst is distraught.

Black Dow (Ch. 4)

Calder is bought before Black Dow, Glama Golden, Cairm Ironhead and Brodd Tenways. Splitfoot, Dow's 2nd loiters behind him. They discuss war and how they are outnumbered by the Union. Dow recognises the split Union army is rejoining. He sends Shivers to The Heroes with word to hold it, and gives orders to get the rest of the companies in position. The giant Stranger-Come-Knocking arrives to make a blood oath and offer his men to fight. Stranger-Come-Knocking himself wants to fight the Union (good) Whirrun of Bligh (bad - he's Craw's man and on the same side) and the Bloody-Nine (assumed dead not that S-C-K believes that). Stranger-Come-Knocking tells Calder he is made for other things (hmmm prophetic?!). Calder's brother, Scale, is on his way back and in need of Calder's brilliant mind. Dow sends him off with a few good natured threats to the life of his wife and unborn child.

What War? (Ch. 5)

Craw admires the strength of position at The Heroes. It is quiet and beautiful, one could almost forget there was War. Craw thinks about how life might have been different if he had married Colwen. Wonderful's husband and kids are home on the farm. She goes back to visit when she can, or so she says. Drofd is returning with Shivers. Shivers is there to make sure Craw holds The Heroes.

Old Hands (Ch. 6)

Corporal Tunny is woken by Forest. He is in a hammock and has a monster hangover. There are replacement message runners that Tunny will be in charge of. Gorst arrives to see General Jalenhorm with news of the new plan.

New Hands (Ch. 7)

Beck is reluctantly chopping wood. He would rather be fighting. Festen comes with news that there are men in the village. Nothing can stop Beck from taking his father's sword and joining the fight. The volunteers are young, inexperienced and barely armed. They discuss Calder and Beck's anger escalates till Flood intervenes. Shama Heartless, Beck's father, had a reputation, and Beck is determined to make his own.

Reachey (Ch. 8)

Calder meets up with his father-in-law, Reachey, who knows that Black Dow is hoping to see the end of Calder. He advises his son-in-law to stay out of the fight. He won't help to kill Calder, but he won't protect him though either. After leaving Reachey two men tried to jump him. No one steps in to help him as he flees from them until he is being pressed by the men and thinking it's the end. Then Foss Deep and Shallow come to his rescue. They respected his father (and Calder's gold). They chuck the attackers in the river. The horseminder confessed Brodd Tenways was behind the order before going into the river too.

The Right Thing (Ch. 9)

Drofd wonders if Skarling Hoodless is buried under The Heroes rock Skarling finger, and they bicker until Wonderful interupts. She has spotted 22 men crossing the ford. It is Hardbread and they are outnumbered, but Craw decides to hold the hill. They prepare themselves to fight. Hardbread asks nicely for his hill back, but Craw refuses. Hardbread's men makes a shieldwall and begin advancing. Both sides fire arrows at each other as Hardbread's men climb the hill. Craw's crew use their advantages fighting savagely. Hardbread's men flee leaving 8 corpses behind. Athroc was killed by Redcrow's axe. Craw wonders if he did the right thing....

Join u/Endtimes_Nil next week for chapters Silence through The Defeated. See you there savages 🪓📚

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