Shards of Silver

That makes more sense now! But I'm still left wondering one thing: if the power at the Well slowly accumulates there over the course of the 1024 years, couldn't the Lord Ruler use some of it earlier (i.e. at year 500), before it has all accumulated?

I've been re-reading Hero of Ages and I realized I never quite understood the return of Preservation's power. Apparently, every 1024 years preservation's power returns to the Well. Where did the power go? I know the LR used it to remake the world, plants, humans, etc. but does it simply deplete when used and then takes time to refill? Why would Preservation ever allow a situation where someone can access his power? Also, Preservation's mind has effectively imprisoned Ruin's mind at the Well. If one (i.e. Vin) takes the power at the Well (Preservation's mind?) and releases it, then Ruin is free. However, shouldn't Ruin also be free if one (i.e. the Lord Ruler) takes the power for oneself, thereby removing the power that is supposedly imprisoning Ruin?