Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass)
Chapter 40
by Maas, Sarah J.The chapter opens with Elide enduring the smoky, humid morning as she travels away from her familiar territory, heading east toward the coast rather than her home in Terrasen. The pervasive smoke, originating from farmers burning fields to fertilize the soil, symbolizes the ongoing cycle of hardship and renewal. Elide’s journey is marked by a sense of displacement and purpose, as she leaves behind the familiarity of her past life, moving into uncertain new territories. Her observations reveal a world where survival depends on adaptability, and her internal reflections hint at underlying tensions and unresolved feelings about her current path.
As they arrive at a small town, Elide’s role as a performer at a traveling carnival becomes apparent. She struggles to attract customers, attracting only a handful of young men and some indifferent townspeople. Her disappointment is contrasted with Lorcan’s unexpectedly impressive performance, which captivates the crowd despite his apparent boredom and sullen demeanor. Lorcan’s display of skill with swords and knives draws admiration, and Elide notes the magnetic effect his physical presence has on the audience, especially the women. Her awareness of Lorcan’s allure underscores the complex relationship between appearance, performance, and genuine emotion in their shared environment.
The chapter then shifts focus to the dynamic between Elide and Lorcan. Despite his stoic exterior, Lorcan’s actions reveal a confident, perhaps even feral, personality. Their interaction is tinged with subtle tension, as Lorcan comments on the power of desire and fear to influence behavior and spending. Elide’s feelings of distance and suspicion deepen as she considers his motives and her own concealed secrets. Their conversation hints at a deeper connection, layered with unspoken truths about their pasts and current circumstances, and the precariousness of their situation as carnival performers and potential allies or adversaries.
In the final section, Elide prepares to leave her tent, reflecting on her situation and Lorcan’s presence. Their exchange reveals a mixture of practical concern and underlying emotional complexity, with Lorcan’s teasing remarks contrasting Elide’s guarded responses. She contemplates her own motivations and the potential consequences of revealing her true identity, aware that her survival depends on maintaining her disguise. The chapter concludes with an undercurrent of tension and unspoken understanding, emphasizing the fragile balance between trust and deception as they navigate their uncertain future amidst the transient world of the carnival.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the setting at the beginning of the chapter, particularly the smoke and the direction of travel?
Answer:
The opening scene describes Elide and her companions traveling eastward away from Terrasen, with the smoke from burning fields indicating a rural, possibly war-affected environment. The smoke, carried by the northward wind, signifies the lingering effects of farming practices and perhaps a broader context of unrest or conflict. The direction of travel away from Terrasen suggests they are fleeing or avoiding danger associated with their homeland. This setting establishes a mood of discomfort and uncertainty, hinting at underlying tensions and the characters’ need to stay hidden or safe while moving toward an uncertain destination.2. How does Elide’s perception of Lorcan contrast with his actual behavior during the carnival performance?
Answer:
Elide perceives Lorcan as a somewhat bored and sullen performer, noting that he looks bored and bordering on sullen while performing. Despite this, she recognizes his impressive physical prowess and the effect he has on the crowd, which is amplified by his shirtless, oiled body and skillful sword tricks. This contrast highlights that Lorcan’s outward demeanor might seem disinterested or detached, but he still commands attention and admiration through his abilities. It reflects a layered personality—someone who may appear unenthusiastic but is highly competent and capable, which adds depth to his character.3. What does the interaction between Elide and Molly reveal about their relationship and Elide’s inner thoughts?
Answer:
The interaction shows that Molly is perceptive and somewhat teasing, commenting on Lorcan’s effect on women and hinting at Elide’s own feelings or concerns about her relationship with him. Elide’s responses are guarded and sometimes dismissive, suggesting she is uncomfortable with or unsure about her feelings and her situation. Her internal thoughts reveal a sense of distance or detachment—she wonders if Lorcan would still look at her if he knew her true identity and what she carried. This exchange underscores her inner conflict, her desire for connection, and her awareness of the barriers between her and others.4. How does Lorcan’s attitude during his performance reflect his personality and possibly his motivations?
Answer:
Lorcan’s attitude during the performance—looking bored, bordering on sullen, yet executing his tricks with skill and confidence—suggests a personality that is guarded, perhaps disillusioned or fatigued. His lack of charm and apparent boredom contrast with his physical prowess, indicating he might perform out of obligation or necessity rather than genuine enjoyment. His focus on the crowd and his ease with danger imply a seasoned warrior who is comfortable with violence and danger, possibly motivated by a sense of duty, necessity, or a desire to maintain a certain image. His behavior hints at complexity beneath the surface, including a possible desire to remain detached or emotionally guarded.5. In what ways does the chapter explore themes of appearance versus reality, especially in relation to Elide and Lorcan?
Answer:
The chapter juxtaposes outward appearances with underlying truths. Elide appears as a performer in a carnival, hiding her true identity behind makeup, robes, and a façade of entertainment. Her guarded conversation with Lorcan reveals her internal struggle and the secrets she keeps. Lorcan, on the other hand, presents a tough, indifferent exterior during his performance, but his physical prowess and the way he commands attention suggest a deeper, more complex personality. The chapter explores how appearances can be deceiving—Elide’s elaborate disguise and Lorcan’s nonchalant attitude mask their true selves and intentions. This theme underscores the idea that both characters are more than their outward images, harboring hidden depths and motives beneath the surface.
Quotes
1. “The smoke had been stinging Elide’s eyes for the better part of the gray muggy morning.”
This opening line sets the atmospheric tone of the chapter, emphasizing the bleak, oppressive environment that mirrors Elide’s emotional state and the journey’s uncertain nature. It introduces the chapter’s focus on hardship and transition.
2. “Desire and fear can loosen any purse strings.”
This observation highlights how powerful emotions influence human behavior, especially in contexts of spectacle and temptation. It underscores the chapter’s exploration of human nature and the motivations that drive characters’ actions, particularly within the carnival setting.
3. “He balanced and hurled his weapons as if they were nothing, and she had the feeling the warrior was merely going through one of his daily exercise routines. But the crowd still oohed and aah’ed at every twist and toss and catch, and coins still trickled into the pan at the edge of the stage.”
This quote captures Lorcan’s formidable skill and nonchalant attitude, contrasting his apparent boredom with the crowd’s awe. It emphasizes his strength and the quiet power he exudes, which is central to understanding his character.
4. “Money is money. I suppose you don’t need to worry about it, with all the gold you’ve got stashed.”
This line reveals Elide’s awareness of her own hidden resources and hints at her strategic mindset. It also introduces the theme of concealment and the contrast between appearances and reality in the chapter.
5. “Wouldn’t it ruin your ruse if I slipped off into the night with someone else? You’d be expected to throw me out on my ass—to be heartbroken and raging for the rest of your time here.”
Lorcan’s comment underscores the tension between genuine connection and performative deception, reflecting the chapter’s deeper exploration of masks, roles, and the facades characters maintain in their interactions.