Remember his last human kill? That is what gave him the second level of Lawbreaker 1st. Spoilers ahead: (click to show/hide)He killed Slade for gaining more magical power. Human sacrifice is a major violation of the First Law and Harry does it knowingly and willingly. The rest of the Council does not know about it yet. Or maybe they do, and the high-powered sniper rifle was used by one of the Council's hired assassins.
I disagree; (click to show/hide)He was fast enough to outrun Suzan and not be winded - and outmaneuer the Ick. He was tough enough to take up blows from the Ick without being pulverized. Without even taking consequences like broken bones. And the Ick was strong enough to pick up a car and smash it against another car. He was strong enough to smash a vampire against the floor with a single kick. And right after he commented that this was the power of the Winter Knight.
i agree with you, but... (click to show/hide)i think if kincaid really wanted, he would have hit harry's head, instant death. so i don't think it was him, or he was under order from ivy not to shoot him in the head, because she knows something...
(click to show/hide)No, he used mundane means to kill Slade, and while doing so was a requirement for gaining the Winter Knight job, it made no use of mortal magic. It's perfectly fine to kill using mundane tools for any reason whatsoever, though there might be repercussions that have nothing to do with stains on the soul. The First Law forbids the destruction of life either by use of a spell or to power a spell, neither of which occured there. He even dodged the bullet with Susan (killing to power a really big bloodline curse) because Susan was a full vampire when it happened.I'd have to re-read a couple of sections of Changes (which I don't have in reach at the moment), but here are some massively unsubstantiated speculation on the whole Winter Knight thing, based on my recollection of the book:* Becoming the Winter Knight is something Dresden felt he had to do, but certainly didn't want. As part of the deal, Dresden swore to not fight becoming the Knight.* Dresden as Winter Knight might be rather bad for Winter/Summer balance, as Mab would command a Knight with not only the power of Winter, but with very powerful mortal magic, as well.* Ivy's attention was drawn to the situation when Dresden wrote to her. She owed him, but was unable to offer direct help ... with respect to rescuing his daughter.* Kincaid had discussed with Dresden just how he would go about killing him to avoid his death curse. Dresden was attacked basically exactly how Kincaid laid out his plan.* (Theory) The Winter Knight powers return to the Queen as the Knight dies, not necessarily after death.* Icy cold water greatly slows bodily functions ... possibly lengthening considerably the last few instants of life?What if Kincaid, at Ivy's behest, shot him very, very nearly to death, in such a way that he was unable to use his death curse (finishing himself off in the process) and ensuring that he collapsed into the icy waters of the lake, thus stretching out the last few moments of life. This would cause the mantle of the Winter Knight to pass on in such a way that would not violate his oath. Once that occured, if he was able to be revived in time, he would be out from under his deal with Mab. Ivy would have returned Dresden's free will and balance between the Courts would be restored.Hey, I did say it was massive speculation...
Oh, hi, Mr. Warden! How are you this fine day? My, what a shiny sword you have there...
