A Court of Frost and Starlight
Chapter 2: Rhysand
by Maas, Sarah J.The chapter opens with Rhysand observing the harsh winter conditions of the Illyrian Mountains, contrasting the bustling Windhaven camp with his peaceful, snow-covered city of Velaris. He reflects on his mate, Feyre, and their brief mental conversation, longing to show her the beauty of their home. Meanwhile, the Illyrian camp thrives despite the brutal weather, with warriors training and others performing daily chores. Rhysand notes the rigid gender roles, where females are confined to domestic tasks under strict expectations, a tradition unchanged for centuries despite the recent war and world-altering events.
Rhysand and Cassian confront Devlon, the camp-lord, over the exclusion of females from combat training under the pretext of Solstice preparations. Cassian insists on a compromise: two hours of training before domestic duties, highlighting the ongoing struggle to challenge Illyrian traditions. Devlon resists, appealing to the warriors’ sacrifices in the recent war, a tactic that visibly affects Cassian, who carries the weight of his soldiers’ losses. Rhysand intervenes, reducing the training time to ninety minutes, asserting authority while acknowledging the delicate balance of power and the need for gradual change.
The tension underscores deeper issues within Illyrian society, where post-war losses have bred resentment and potential instability. Rhysand recalls how some Illyrians previously sided with Amarantha, hinting at the lingering threat of rebellion. Despite the need for a permanent presence to enforce reforms, the demands of rebuilding and political tensions elsewhere make it impractical. The chapter reveals the fragile state of the Illyrian camps, where tradition clashes with the inevitability of progress, and the scars of war fuel underlying hostility.
Devlon’s manipulative reference to disabled warriors strikes a nerve, exposing Cassian’s guilt over his soldiers’ suffering. Rhysand’s internal struggle with his dark power reflects the moral boundaries he refuses to cross, even to expedite change. The chapter closes with a sense of unresolved conflict, emphasizing the slow, arduous path toward reform in a society resistant to change. The dynamics between Rhysand, Cassian, and Devlon illustrate the broader challenges of leadership and the cost of maintaining order while pushing for equality.
FAQs
1. What is the central conflict between Cassian/Rhysand and Devlon regarding the Illyrian females, and what does it reveal about Illyrian society?
Answer:
The conflict centers on Devlon’s insistence that Illyrian females should focus solely on domestic Solstice preparations rather than combat training, while Cassian and Rhysand advocate for balanced time between training and chores. This reveals the deeply entrenched gender roles in Illyrian society, where females are expected to perform drudgery (cooking, cleaning, child-rearing) without exception. The resistance to change highlights the tribe’s adherence to ancient traditions, despite the broader societal shifts after the war. Rhysand reflects that these expectations have persisted for centuries, showing how cultural norms in Illyrian camps remain rigid even in a post-war world (pages 11-12).2. How does Rhysand’s internal monologue about mind control illustrate his moral boundaries and relationship with Cassian?
Answer:
Rhysand considers but rejects the idea of using his daemati powers to force Devlon and the Illyrians into compliance, stating it’s a line he “could not, would not cross.” This demonstrates his ethical limits despite his immense power. Additionally, he acknowledges Cassian would never forgive such an intrusion, emphasizing their mutual respect and Cassian’s value for autonomy. The passage reveals Rhysand’s restraint as a leader and his commitment to earning change through persuasion rather than domination (page 12).3. Analyze how Devlon’s argument about injured warriors (“Some came home without one”) serves as both a tactical and emotional weapon.
Answer:
Devlon’s remark weaponizes the Illyrians’ war trauma to guilt Cassian into conceding. By referencing amputees, he targets Cassian’s deep-seated guilt over military losses—Cassian views every injury as a personal failure. Emotionally, it manipulates Cassian’s compassion for his soldiers; tactically, it undermines his authority by implying his leadership caused their suffering. Rhysand’s observation that the comment “strike[s] deep” confirms its effectiveness, forcing him to intervene with a compromise (90 minutes of training) to defuse the tension (pages 13-14).4. What broader political challenges does Rhysand allude to that prevent stationing a permanent Illyrian overseer?
Answer:
Rhysand mentions post-war rebuilding, human-Fae diplomacy, and opportunistic Fae kingdoms testing boundaries in a wall-less world as higher priorities. These demands strain their resources, making it impossible to station someone in Windhaven despite its unrest. His speculation about waiting “until next summer” implies that Illyrian instability is a simmering issue—one that could escalate if left unaddressed but must be balanced against external threats like rogue Fae factions (page 13).5. How does the chapter contrast Rhysand’s perspectives on Velaris and Windhaven to emphasize thematic tensions?
Answer:
Rhysand romanticizes Velaris (imagining snowy walks with Feyre) as a place of beauty and equality, while Windhaven is depicted through harsh imagery (“watery winter sun,” “gray peaks”) and rigid hierarchies. This juxtaposition underscores the tension between progress and tradition: Velaris symbolizes the harmonious future he fights for, whereas Windhaven embodies the stubborn past. His reflection that “the world had been reborn … yet some things did not alter” crystallizes this theme (pages 10-11).
Quotes
1. “There was honor in such tasks—pride and good work to be found in them. But not when every single one of the females here was expected to do it. And if they shirked those duties, either one of the half-dozen camp-mothers or whatever males controlled their lives would punish them.”
This quote highlights the systemic gender inequality in Illyrian society, where women are confined to domestic roles by tradition and coercion. Rhysand’s observation critiques the lack of choice and autonomy, framing it as a central conflict in the chapter.
2. “The world had been reborn during the war months before, the wall blasted to nothingness, and yet some things did not alter. Especially here, where change was slower than the melting glaciers scattered amongst these mountains.”
This passage contrasts the monumental political changes in Prythian with the stubborn persistence of Illyrian traditions. It underscores the tension between progress and ingrained cultural norms, a key theme in Rhysand’s leadership struggles.
3. “It had occurred to me… that I could simply rip into his mind, all their minds, and make them agree. Yet there were some lines I could not, would not cross. And Cassian would never forgive me.”
This reveals Rhysand’s moral boundaries and his respect for Cassian’s agency, even when facing resistance. It showcases the ethical dilemmas of power and the importance of consent in their reform efforts.
4. “Devlon pushed, crossing his muscled arms. ‘The boys need a nice Solstice after all they endured. Let the girls give one to them.’ The bastard certainly knew what weapons to wield, both physical and verbal.”
This exchange demonstrates how Devlon manipulates wartime sacrifices to maintain patriarchal control. The quote captures the emotional leverage used to preserve the status quo against Cassian and Rhysand’s reforms.
5. “It was the cost of leading my armies: each injury, death, scar—he took them all as his own personal failings.”
This insight into Cassian’s character reveals the emotional burden of leadership and the deep care he has for his warriors. It contextualizes the personal stakes in their fight for Illyrian societal change.