There are three paths. This is one of them (1)

''This article is about the path of the acolytes. For the path of the guardians, see "There are three paths. This is one of them (2)". For the path of the keepers, see "There are three paths. This is one of them (3)".''

"There are three paths. This is one of them" is the second chapter in the first book of The Starless Sea. It is the second story in the book Sweet Sorrows and the second chapter overall.

Summary
The chapter begins by describing a Harbor on the Starless Sea: a labyrinth of books and tunnels. Within the Harbor are those who dedicate themselves to it in various ways.

One way is the path of the acolyte. Those who wish to become acolytes enter a month of confined contemplation. After this period, if they choose to continue, they accept a metal disk with a carving of a bee and proceed to an initiation ceremony.

During the initiation, they are blindfolded, and their chest is branded using the metal disk. They are given a taste of honey, and their tongues are removed. Once the initiation is complete, the acolyte gains the ability to perceive the stories around them.

Major Characters

 * none

Minor Characters

 * Unnamed new acolyte
 * Unnamed senior acolytes
 * Older man

Trivia and Connections

 * The unnamed young woman who loses her tongue to become an acolyte in this chapter cannot be Rhyme, since Rhyme speaks. In the narration, Morgenstern notes that Rhyme's words "[sit] strangely on a tongue she has not used for speaking in years." This implies that she has always had her tongue, but simply did not speak.
 * The gesture of respect described in this chapter, two fingers to the lips with a nod, is later employed by Zachary with Rhyme.

Analysis
Here we are told of the first of the three paths (though as the Keeper remarks, each person has their own path.) Still, we begin to learn the mythology of the Starless Sea and the culture that its inhabitants built.

In this chapter, we are first presented with the idea of a story as something that can live independently, with real people stepping into it or out of it.

We are also given our first description of a Harbor on the Starless Sea, and learn that people love it so fiercely that they are willing to dedicate their lives to it. Allegra, who also chose the path of the acolyte, represents a perversion of that ideal.

Quotes

 * There are three paths. This is one of them.
 * In the darkness, fingers part her lips and a drop of honey is placed on her tongue. This is to ensure that the last taste is sweet.