Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass)
Chapter 43
by Maas, Sarah J.The chapter opens with Lorcan still grappling with the aftermath of a harrowing encounter, three days after surviving an ilken attack on the plains. The heavy weight of fear and trauma lingers as they leave the town behind, and the group’s survival remains a mystery even to themselves. Lorcan’s internal struggle is compounded by the wary stares of Nik and Ombriel, who are still assessing Lorcan’s true nature, and Elide’s evident distance from him. The lingering sense of danger and the unspoken questions about their ordeal set a tense, uncertain tone for their journey forward.
As they reach a small, neglected town, Lorcan observes the environment and the people with a mixture of curiosity and guardedness. Elide’s cautious exploration of the town reveals her perceptiveness and her understanding of what storms symbolize—inevitably leading to confinement and the spread of gossip and news. Lorcan’s protective instincts surface as he follows her, sensing the impending storm both literally and metaphorically, and contemplating the hidden threats that might be lurking in the shadows, including the possible training of ilken against powerful enemies like Aelin Galathynius.
The narrative shifts to their time inside a dilapidated tavern, where Lorcan’s imposing presence contrasts with Elide’s sharp, calculated demeanor. While Lorcan is instinctively alert to his surroundings, he recognizes Elide’s skill at observing and gathering intelligence. Her calm, unbothered attitude and her command to him to drink suggest her confidence and strategic mindset. Lorcan reflects on her potential usefulness to Maeve and fears what she might be forced to do if she falls into the hands of more manipulative powers, pondering her future as a spy or courtier in a dangerous political landscape.
The chapter concludes with Elide’s sudden interruption of the conversation, revealing her awareness of recent events—specifically, the fall of Rifthold—an incident already known to Lorcan. Her assertiveness and sharp wit highlight her resourcefulness and determination to stay informed despite the chaos surrounding them. Meanwhile, Lorcan’s internal thoughts underscore his complex feelings towards her—admiration mixed with concern about her vulnerability and the perilous path she is navigating in a world filled with treacherous alliances and hidden dangers.
FAQs
1. Question 1
What are the main emotional and psychological states Lorcan experiences during his journey, and how do these states influence his interactions with others?
Answer:
Lorcan is depicted as being haunted by the terror of a past night, which continues to weigh heavily on him even days later. His wariness and suspicion are evident in his cautious observation of Elide and others, as he tries to gauge their intentions and threat levels. His feelings of guilt or confusion about surviving the ilken—creatures nearly impossible to kill—also contribute to a sense of internal conflict. These states cause him to remain distant and guarded, as seen in his cautious magic use to stabilize Elide’s foot and his internal reflections on potential threats like the ilken or Erawan. His wariness influences his interactions, making him more observant, less trusting, and subtly protective, especially toward Elide, whom he seems to want to guard despite his own emotional turmoil.2. Question 2
How does Elide’s behavior and perspective during their stay in the town reveal her personality and her approach to gathering information?
Answer:
Elide’s behavior demonstrates her keen observational skills and strategic mindset. She remains unimpressed by Lorcan’s intimidating presence, instead focusing on gathering intelligence through subtle cues, such as watching the dockworkers and merchants. Her comment about storms indicating a need for gossip and news highlights her understanding of human nature and her ability to interpret seemingly mundane events as opportunities for information. She deliberately positions herself to listen and observe, showing her cautious, resourceful nature. Her calm, analytical demeanor and her initiative to go for a walk alone to gather intel reflect her independence and her understanding of the importance of information in her role, possibly as a spy or someone involved in political intrigue.3. Question 3
In what ways does the setting of the town and the impending storm contribute to the chapter’s mood and themes?
Answer:
The town’s dilapidated state and the storm’s approach create a tense, foreboding atmosphere that underscores themes of uncertainty and danger. The description of the town—built on the remnants of a once-thriving kingdom—evokes a sense of decay and lost glory, mirroring the characters’ own struggles and the lingering threat of past horrors like the ilken. The storm, with its darkening skies and thunder, acts as a symbol of impending chaos and the unpredictable future, heightening the suspense. The setting emphasizes the fragile stability of their current situation and the constant presence of threat, whether from nature or political forces, reinforcing the chapter’s mood of cautious vigilance.4. Question 4
What does Lorcan’s internal reflection about Elide and Maeve suggest about his views on power, manipulation, and morality?
Answer:
Lorcan’s musings reveal a complex view of power and morality. He recognizes Elide’s potential as a spy or courtier, aware of how Maeve might manipulate her through training or coercion. His concern about what Elide might become under Maeve’s influence indicates his awareness that power can corrupt or distort morality, especially when wielded through manipulation. His fear of her becoming a “vicious sentinel” suggests he perceives the potential for moral compromise in service of power, and a recognition that even seemingly innocent individuals can be shaped into instruments of destruction. This reflects his understanding that power dynamics often blur ethical boundaries, and he appears to grapple with whether such manipulation is justified or inherently corrupt.5. Question 5
How does the chapter illustrate the theme of trust and suspicion among the characters, especially in the context of their environment and circumstances?
Answer:
Throughout the chapter, trust is depicted as fragile and guarded. Lorcan’s wariness towards Elide and others, coupled with his internal reflections on her potential usefulness or danger, highlights a landscape where suspicion is necessary for survival. Elide herself remains observant and cautious, even as she interacts with strangers, knowing that information is a weapon. The environment—an impoverished town with a storm approaching—heightens this sense of uncertainty, where alliances are provisional and danger lurks beneath surface appearances. The chapter emphasizes that in such a setting, characters must navigate a delicate balance of trust and suspicion to protect themselves and gather vital intelligence, illustrating the pervasive mistrust that defines their interactions.
Quotes
1. “Lorcan was still wondering what the hell he was doing three days later. They’d left that plains town far behind them, but the terror of that night lay draped over the carnival caravan like a heavy blanket with each mile the wagons hurried down the roads.”
This opening sets the tone of lingering trauma and unease that permeates the chapter, highlighting the emotional aftermath of their encounter with the ilken and emphasizing the chapter’s focus on the lingering effects of violence and fear.
2. “No mere mortal could have slain one, let alone four. The others hadn’t wised up to how, exactly, they’d survived the ilken—hadn’t realized the ilken were near-impossible to kill.”
This quote underscores the almost supernatural difficulty of defeating the ilken, emphasizing the scale of danger and the mythic nature of these creatures, which is central to understanding the stakes and Lorcan’s reflections on their resilience.
3. “Gossip means news from merchants and sailors about the rest of the land. That is what thunder means.”
Elide’s insightful observation reveals how storms serve as a metaphor for information gathering and the interconnectedness of the world, illustrating her perceptive nature and foreshadowing her role as an observer and spy.
4. “Lorcan took in the details of the taproom by instinct and training, finding nothing worth a second thought. The reek of the place—unwashed bodies, piss, mold, wet wool—threatened to suffocate him.”
This passage highlights Lorcan’s seasoned, pragmatic outlook contrasted with Elide’s sharp perception, illustrating their differing approaches to danger and observation in unfamiliar environments.
5. “So Lorcan drank and watched her while she watched others. So many calculating thoughts beneath that pale face, so many lies ready to spill from those rosebud lips.”
This quote captures the chapter’s theme of espionage and deception, emphasizing Elide’s skill in reading others and the subtle power dynamics at play, which are crucial to her character’s role in the story.