A Court of Frost and Starlight
Chapter 3: Cassian
by Maas, Sarah J.Cassian, struggling to contain his frustration with Devlon and the Illyrian warriors, chooses to leave rather than risk escalating tensions. He reflects on his brothers Rhysand and Azriel’s unique abilities, such as winnowing, but prefers his own method of travel: flying. As he stretches his wings, he deliberately ignores the warriors below, using their resentment as a tool to assert dominance. Taking to the skies, he embraces the biting cold, finding solace in the freedom of flight and the familiarity of the mountainous terrain.
The chapter delves into Cassian’s connection to the Illyrian homeland, a place of both beauty and danger. He notes the presence of ancient, hidden threats lurking in the mountains, far worse than the Illyrians themselves. These creatures, though mostly vanquished, still emerge under cover of darkness, a reminder of the land’s untamed nature. Cassian’s thoughts briefly turn to Feyre, wondering if she knows the true dangers of the region, before he focuses on his destination: the sacred mountain, Ramiel.
Ramiel stands as the heart of Illyria and the Night Court, a place of reverence and ritual. Cassian recalls his participation in the Blood Rite, a brutal competition where he and his brothers triumphed centuries ago. The Rite, though controversial, serves as a necessary outlet for Illyrian aggression, preventing larger conflicts. Cassian muses on its enduring significance, hoping this year’s Rite might ease the growing discontent among the warriors, especially after the recent war.
As Cassian soars toward Ramiel, he reflects on its timeless presence and the symbolism it holds for the Night Court. The mountain, both beautiful and isolated, embodies the strength and resilience of Illyria. Cassian’s journey underscores his deep ties to his heritage and his role as a leader, balancing the need for discipline with the understanding of his people’s fierce nature. The chapter closes with a sense of foreboding, hinting at the challenges ahead for Cassian and the Night Court.
FAQs
1. What are Cassian’s motivations for flying to Ramiel, and how does this reflect his character?
Answer:
Cassian flies to Ramiel to calm his temper after dealing with Devlon and the Illyrian warriors, showing his self-awareness and need for physical release when emotions run high. The chapter reveals this is a habitual coping mechanism: “It was rare for him to make the trek. He usually only did it when his temper was likely to get the better of him.” His choice of Ramiel—the sacred mountain tied to his past victory in the Blood Rite—demonstrates his deep connection to Illyrian traditions and his role as a mediator between his people’s violent tendencies and the Night Court’s stability. The flight also showcases his disciplined warrior mindset, using physical exertion (the cold, the effort of flying) as emotional regulation.2. How does the chapter contrast different forms of mobility among the Night Court’s warriors, and what significance does this hold?
Answer:
The chapter highlights three distinct movement methods: Rhysand’s winnowing (“devastating results” in battle), Azriel’s unexplained shadow-based movement (“without technically winnowing”), and Cassian’s winged flight. These differences reflect their specialized roles—Rhys as a high lord with raw power, Azriel as a spy with mysterious abilities, and Cassian as the grounded Illyrian general who relies on physical prowess. Cassian’s pride in flying (“served him well enough in battle”) underscores Illyrian cultural values, while his acknowledgment of his brothers’ abilities shows mutual respect. The contrast also foreshadows later discussions of Illyrian limitations during the Blood Rite, where wings are bound, leveling the playing field.3. Analyze the symbolic importance of Ramiel in Illyrian society based on Cassian’s reflections.
Answer:
Ramiel serves as both a physical and ideological heart of Illyria—a “sacred mountain” that is “awake and watchful,” contrasting with Prythian’s more ominous peaks. Cassian’s description of it as “eternal and ageless” mirrors Illyrian values of endurance and tradition. The Blood Rite’s connection to Ramiel (where warriors compete to touch its summit stone) frames it as a proving ground that channels violence into ritual. Notably, Cassian views the Rite as a necessary “escape valve” for Illyrian aggression, preventing civil war. This positions Ramiel as a unifying force, though the chapter hints at tensions—while it’s spiritually significant, its associated violence may perpetuate cycles of conflict rather than true resolution.4. How does the chapter build tension regarding threats in the Night Court beyond the Illyrians’ discontent?
Answer:
While Cassian initially focuses on interpersonal tensions with Devlon, the narrative expands to hint at larger dangers. The “far worse things [that] prowled between the peaks” introduce supernatural threats—ancient creatures hiding in mountains that even Illyrians fear. This foreshadows potential future conflicts and contextualizes the Illyrians’ militarization. The reference to Feyre facing similar creatures in the Steppes ties past and present dangers, suggesting unresolved vulnerabilities in the Court. Cassian’s unease (“chill that skittered down his spine”) contrasts with his usual confidence, emphasizing that the war’s aftermath leaves lingering instability. The “unknowns gathering outside their borders” further heightens stakes beyond internal disputes.
Quotes
1. “Ignoring them, projecting the message that they weren’t important enough to even be considered threats were far better ways of pissing them off. Rhys had taught him that. Long ago.”
This quote reveals Cassian’s strategic approach to dealing with Illyrian dissenters like Devlon, showcasing the psychological warfare tactics Rhys taught him. It highlights the complex power dynamics within Illyrian society and Cassian’s learned restraint.
2. “Most High Fae believed the Illyrians were the greatest menace in these mountains. They didn’t realize that far worse things prowled between the peaks.”
This insight exposes the hidden dangers of the Night Court’s territory while subtly criticizing the High Fae’s prejudices against Illyrians. It expands the worldbuilding by hinting at ancient threats lurking in the mountains.
3. “Ramiel. The sacred mountain. The heart of not only Illyria, but the entirety of the Night Court.”
This quote establishes the profound cultural and spiritual significance of Ramiel, connecting Illyrian traditions to the broader Night Court identity. The mountain serves as both physical landmark and symbolic center of their world.
4. “A week of pointless bloodshed, Az insisted. Rhys often agreed, though he often also agreed with Cassian’s point: the Blood Rite offered an escape valve for dangerous tensions within the Illyrian community.”
This captures the central debate about the Blood Rite’s purpose, contrasting Azriel’s moral objections with Cassian’s pragmatic view of it as a necessary pressure-release mechanism for Illyrian society’s violent tendencies.
5. “Ramiel rose higher still, a shard of stone piercing the gray sky. Beautiful and lonely. Eternal and ageless.”
This poetic description of Ramiel serves as a powerful closing image, emphasizing the mountain’s enduring presence and symbolic weight. It contrasts the permanence of the land with the fleeting conflicts of those who inhabit it.