Search Jump: Comments
    Chapter Index
    Back to Story
    Cover of The Assassin and the Desert: A Throne of Glass Novella
    Adventure FictionFantasyFantasyFictionYoung Adult

    The Assassin and the Desert: A Throne of Glass Novella

    by Maas, Sarah J.
    “The Assassin and the Desert” is a novella set in Sarah J. Maas’s “Throne of Glass” universe, following assassin Celaena Sardothien as she trains with the Silent Assassins in the Red Desert. The story explores her skills, determination, and the dangers she faces, serving as a prequel that deepens her character development and prepares readers for the larger series. It is praised for its world-building and engaging pacing.
    PreviousNext
    The Assassin and the Desert: A Throne of Glass Novella

    Chapter Three

    by Maas, Sarah J.

    The chap­ter opens with Celae­na prepar­ing for an evening meal, dress­ing mod­est­ly yet effec­tive­ly to high­light her strik­ing eyes despite the oppres­sive desert heat. Her care­ful appear­ance reflects her aware­ness of her sur­round­ings and her desire to main­tain com­po­sure in unfa­mil­iar ter­ri­to­ry. She is exhaust­ed from her jour­ney, feel­ing the weight of her fatigue but still con­scious of her envi­ron­ment as she nav­i­gates the social expec­ta­tions of her new set­ting. Her mod­est adorn­ment and restrained make­up sug­gest a bal­ance between prac­ti­cal­i­ty and a sub­tle attempt at self-pre­sen­ta­tion amid the unfa­mil­iar and tense atmos­phere she finds her­self in.

    As Celae­na is accom­pa­nied by Ansel to the din­ing hall, she observes the bustling, diverse gath­er­ing of peo­ple from var­i­ous nations and back­grounds. Ansel, famil­iar with the polit­i­cal and dan­ger­ous land­scape, ques­tions Celae­na about her jour­ney while sub­tly indi­cat­ing the tense polit­i­cal cli­mate. The hall is live­ly yet hushed, sug­gest­ing a place where dis­cre­tion is val­ued, and con­ver­sa­tions are care­ful­ly mut­ed. Celaena’s aware­ness of her sur­round­ings and her cau­tious atti­tude reveal her under­ly­ing sus­pi­cion and the need to remain alert in an envi­ron­ment rife with poten­tial threats.

    The dia­logue reveals the com­plex polit­i­cal ten­sions between Lord Berick, the local ruler, and the wider pow­ers at play. Ansel explains Berick’s aggres­sive attempts to under­mine and threat­en their group, which is con­sid­ered a for­mi­da­ble and skilled band of assas­sins. The nar­ra­tive details Berick’s failed schemes, such as send­ing spies and sol­diers to infil­trate or attack their fortress, under­scor­ing the con­stant dan­ger they face. The sto­ry empha­sizes the cun­ning and resilience of the assas­sins, who are aware of Berick’s cru­el­ty and strate­gic mis­cal­cu­la­tions, high­light­ing the ongo­ing con­flict between these fac­tions.

    In the con­clud­ing part, the con­ver­sa­tion shifts to Ansel’s role as a diplo­mat and her risky nego­ti­a­tions with Berick, hint­ing at the frag­ile bal­ance of pow­er and the per­son­al dan­ger involved. Mikhail’s teas­ing adds a touch of cama­raderie, con­trast­ing with the seri­ous under­tones of the polit­i­cal ten­sions. Celaena’s silent obser­va­tion of the diverse crowd and her reflec­tions on the unfa­mil­iar­i­ty of such a mul­ti­cul­tur­al gath­er­ing deep­en her sense of being an out­sider yet also high­light her curios­i­ty and resilience. The chap­ter ends with a note of cau­tious opti­mism, as the group con­tin­ues their meal amidst an atmos­phere of under­ly­ing threat and strate­gic diplo­ma­cy.

    Down­load Free PDF

    FAQs

    • 1. What does Celaena’s choice of attire and her attempt to apply cosmetics reveal about her character and her situation in this chapter?

      Answer:
      Celaena’s choice to wear her nicest tunic and her effort to enhance her appearance with cosmetics suggest she is conscious of her image and possibly trying to present herself with dignity or confidence despite her exhaustion and uncertain circumstances. Her decision to avoid applying makeup on her entire face due to the heat indicates practicality and awareness of her environment. This attire and grooming also imply she values how others perceive her, perhaps as part of her role or identity as an assassin, and highlights her desire to maintain composure and a certain level of sophistication even in unfamiliar or tense settings.

      2. How does the portrayal of the dining hall environment reflect the social and political tensions in the story?

      Answer:
      The dining hall is described as packed with people of various ages and nationalities, with an atmosphere that requests silence but does not enforce it strictly. This setting underscores the multicultural and possibly tense environment, where different groups are gathered under a common cause or threat. The mention of assassins, the silent communication, and the covert conversations about Lord Berick’s cruelty reveal underlying political tensions, power struggles, and the danger present even during seemingly mundane activities like dinner. It illustrates a world where alliances are fragile, and trust is limited, adding depth to the story’s political landscape.

      3. What can be inferred about Lord Berick’s character and his relationship with the assassins based on the chapter’s descriptions?

      Answer:
      Lord Berick appears to be a ruthless, cruel, and manipulative figure, as evidenced by his repeated attempts to eliminate the assassins—sending asps, soldiers, and even digging tunnels—showing he is persistent and brutal in his tactics. The assassins’ discussion about his cruelty and the fact that some have returned from his attacks in pieces suggest he is a formidable and dangerous enemy. Despite his cruelty, there is an implication that he is also strategic, knowing that attacking such skilled warriors directly would be futile, thus resorting to treacherous methods. His relationship with the assassins seems adversarial and hostile, characterized by ongoing conflict and mutual suspicion.

      4. How do Ansel and Mikhail’s comments about Lord Berick and their own roles deepen our understanding of their characters and their situation?

      Answer:
      Ansel’s remarks about her dangerous courier duties and her awareness of Berick’s brutality reveal her bravery, experience, and a certain level of cynicism about her dangerous work. Her mention of paying for her courier duties with her life underscores the peril she faces regularly. Mikhail’s comment about Berick being “brutal enough to make up for it” emphasizes the threat Berick poses and highlights the dangerous environment they operate in. Both characters display resilience and a sense of camaraderie, hinting at their shared understanding of the risks involved in their clandestine activities. Their dialogue portrays them as seasoned, cautious, and aware of the stakes in their ongoing conflict with Lord Berick.

      5. In what ways does the chapter hint at broader themes of loyalty, danger, and political intrigue?

      Answer:
      The chapter subtly explores themes of loyalty and danger through the characters’ interactions and the setting. The assassins’ discussion about Lord Berick’s relentless attempts to kill them, combined with their awareness of the political implications of their actions—such as Berick’s desire to regain favor with the King of Adarlan—highlight a world rife with treachery. Ansel’s role as a courier who risks her life to negotiate with Berick emphasizes the delicate balance of loyalty and survival. The covert communication, the mention of parlay, and the constant threat of violence all point to a complex web of political intrigue, where allegiances are fragile, and danger lurks behind every interaction.

    Quotes

    • 1. “Even though the sun had set, the heat remained. Anything she put on her skin would likely slide right off.”

      This opening description highlights the persistent and oppressive environment Celaena faces, setting the tone for her weary state and the chapter’s focus on her external and internal struggles.

      2. “Our local villain. Or I suppose we’re his local villains, depending on who is telling the story.”

      This line encapsulates the complex and morally ambiguous world in which the characters operate, emphasizing the blurred lines between heroism and villainy within their society.

      3. “He somehow got it into his thick skull that killing all of us—and sending the head of the Mute Master to Adarlan on a silver platter—would do the trick.”

      This quote outlines Lord Berick’s ruthless ambitions and the dangerous political game at play, illustrating the high stakes and the threat posed by the antagonist.

      4. “Nothing’s worked yet,” he said. Hearing the noise of their conversation, an assassin at a nearby table pivoted to raise a finger to her lips, shushing them. Mikhail gave them an apologetic shrug. The dining hall, Celaena gleaned, must be a silence-is-requested-but-not-required sort of place.”

      This passage reveals the covert and tense atmosphere of their environment, where secrecy and discretion are vital, yet enforced with a relaxed attitude.

      5. “She likes to be dramatic.”

      This humorous remark by Mikhail about Ansel’s personality offers insight into her character—bold, confident, and unafraid to speak her mind—adding depth to her role within the group.

    Quotes

    1. “Even though the sun had set, the heat remained. Anything she put on her skin would likely slide right off.”

    This opening description highlights the persistent and oppressive environment Celaena faces, setting the tone for her weary state and the chapter’s focus on her external and internal struggles.

    2. “Our local villain. Or I suppose we’re his local villains, depending on who is telling the story.”

    This line encapsulates the complex and morally ambiguous world in which the characters operate, emphasizing the blurred lines between heroism and villainy within their society.

    3. “He somehow got it into his thick skull that killing all of us—and sending the head of the Mute Master to Adarlan on a silver platter—would do the trick.”

    This quote outlines Lord Berick’s ruthless ambitions and the dangerous political game at play, illustrating the high stakes and the threat posed by the antagonist.

    4. “Nothing’s worked yet,” he said. Hearing the noise of their conversation, an assassin at a nearby table pivoted to raise a finger to her lips, shushing them. Mikhail gave them an apologetic shrug. The dining hall, Celaena gleaned, must be a silence-is-requested-but-not-required sort of place.”

    This passage reveals the covert and tense atmosphere of their environment, where secrecy and discretion are vital, yet enforced with a relaxed attitude.

    5. “She likes to be dramatic.”

    This humorous remark by Mikhail about Ansel’s personality offers insight into her character—bold, confident, and unafraid to speak her mind—adding depth to her role within the group.

    FAQs

    1. What does Celaena’s choice of attire and her attempt to apply cosmetics reveal about her character and her situation in this chapter?

    Answer:
    Celaena’s choice to wear her nicest tunic and her effort to enhance her appearance with cosmetics suggest she is conscious of her image and possibly trying to present herself with dignity or confidence despite her exhaustion and uncertain circumstances. Her decision to avoid applying makeup on her entire face due to the heat indicates practicality and awareness of her environment. This attire and grooming also imply she values how others perceive her, perhaps as part of her role or identity as an assassin, and highlights her desire to maintain composure and a certain level of sophistication even in unfamiliar or tense settings.

    2. How does the portrayal of the dining hall environment reflect the social and political tensions in the story?

    Answer:
    The dining hall is described as packed with people of various ages and nationalities, with an atmosphere that requests silence but does not enforce it strictly. This setting underscores the multicultural and possibly tense environment, where different groups are gathered under a common cause or threat. The mention of assassins, the silent communication, and the covert conversations about Lord Berick’s cruelty reveal underlying political tensions, power struggles, and the danger present even during seemingly mundane activities like dinner. It illustrates a world where alliances are fragile, and trust is limited, adding depth to the story’s political landscape.

    3. What can be inferred about Lord Berick’s character and his relationship with the assassins based on the chapter’s descriptions?

    Answer:
    Lord Berick appears to be a ruthless, cruel, and manipulative figure, as evidenced by his repeated attempts to eliminate the assassins—sending asps, soldiers, and even digging tunnels—showing he is persistent and brutal in his tactics. The assassins’ discussion about his cruelty and the fact that some have returned from his attacks in pieces suggest he is a formidable and dangerous enemy. Despite his cruelty, there is an implication that he is also strategic, knowing that attacking such skilled warriors directly would be futile, thus resorting to treacherous methods. His relationship with the assassins seems adversarial and hostile, characterized by ongoing conflict and mutual suspicion.

    4. How do Ansel and Mikhail’s comments about Lord Berick and their own roles deepen our understanding of their characters and their situation?

    Answer:
    Ansel’s remarks about her dangerous courier duties and her awareness of Berick’s brutality reveal her bravery, experience, and a certain level of cynicism about her dangerous work. Her mention of paying for her courier duties with her life underscores the peril she faces regularly. Mikhail’s comment about Berick being “brutal enough to make up for it” emphasizes the threat Berick poses and highlights the dangerous environment they operate in. Both characters display resilience and a sense of camaraderie, hinting at their shared understanding of the risks involved in their clandestine activities. Their dialogue portrays them as seasoned, cautious, and aware of the stakes in their ongoing conflict with Lord Berick.

    5. In what ways does the chapter hint at broader themes of loyalty, danger, and political intrigue?

    Answer:
    The chapter subtly explores themes of loyalty and danger through the characters’ interactions and the setting. The assassins’ discussion about Lord Berick’s relentless attempts to kill them, combined with their awareness of the political implications of their actions—such as Berick’s desire to regain favor with the King of Adarlan—highlight a world rife with treachery. Ansel’s role as a courier who risks her life to negotiate with Berick emphasizes the delicate balance of loyalty and survival. The covert communication, the mention of parlay, and the constant threat of violence all point to a complex web of political intrigue, where allegiances are fragile, and danger lurks behind every interaction.

    Note