The Assassin and the Desert
Chapter Five
by Maas, Sarah J.Celaena and Ansel endure a grueling journey through the desert, struggling with discomfort and exhaustion as they travel toward Xandria. Celaena complains about the sand infiltrating her clothes and the meager meals of dates and bread, while Ansel remains more resilient, teasing Celaena for her fussiness. Their banter reveals their contrasting backgrounds, with Ansel hailing from the harsh Western Wastes. Despite their fatigue, the two share a moment of camaraderie under the vast desert sky, though Celaena remains unsettled by their exposed surroundings and the potential dangers lurking in the night.
As they rest, their conversation shifts to Ansel’s homeland and its dark history involving the Ironteeth witches. Ansel recounts how the Crochan Queens’ once-beautiful kingdom was destroyed by the Ironteeth Clans, who were cursed by the last Crochan Queen’s spell. The land eventually recovered, but the witches’ legacy lingers. Ansel’s tone grows somber as she describes the witches’ terrifying traits—iron teeth and nails capable of gutting a person—hinting at the brutality of their reign. Celaena, intrigued and unnerved, presses for more details, sensing there’s more to Ansel’s knowledge than she’s letting on.
Ansel shares a chilling childhood memory of encountering an Ironteeth witch, revealing how her sister and a friend ventured into a cursed watchtower on the summer solstice. The friend was dragged away by an old woman with iron teeth, and only her bones were later found. The story leaves Celaena horrified, and Ansel’s casual demeanor afterward contrasts sharply with the tale’s grim outcome. Despite the trauma, Ansel dismisses the witches as beatable, boasting that with an army of assassins, she could eradicate them and protect the defenseless—a hint at her ambitious, almost rebellious mindset.
The chapter closes with Celaena unable to sleep, haunted by the image of the witch and her victim. Ansel’s laughter and quick descent into slumber highlight her hardened nature, while Celaena’s lingering fear underscores her vulnerability in the face of the unknown. Their dynamic—Ansel’s boldness versus Celaena’s wariness—sets the stage for deeper conflicts and revelations. The chapter masterfully blends world-building, character development, and tension, leaving readers eager to see how their journey and the witches’ legacy will unfold.
FAQs
1. How does Celaena’s attitude toward roughing it in the desert contrast with Ansel’s perspective, and what does this reveal about their backgrounds?
Answer:
Celaena complains about the discomfort of sleeping in the desert, mentioning sand in her clothes and missing her luxurious bed in Rifthold, while Ansel teases her for being fussy. This contrast highlights Celaena’s upbringing in more comfortable, urban environments, whereas Ansel, coming from the harsh Western Wastes, finds these conditions relatively manageable. Their exchange reveals Celaena’s preference for comfort despite her assassin training, while Ansel’s resilience stems from her life in a rugged, possibly less privileged region. This difference in attitudes foreshadows their distinct life experiences and values.2. Analyze the significance of Ansel’s story about the Ironteeth witch. How does this tale contribute to world-building and character development?
Answer:
Ansel’s chilling account of the Ironteeth witch serves multiple purposes. First, it expands the story’s lore by introducing the Crochan Queens and Ironteeth Clans, establishing a history of conflict and magic in their world. Second, it reveals Ansel’s personal trauma and motivations—her sister’s guilt and the loss of Maddy clearly affected her deeply. This backstory helps explain Ansel’s fierce desire to hunt witches and her criticism of the Silent Assassins’ passive role. Additionally, the tale heightens tension by showcasing the witches’ brutality, making them a credible threat in the narrative.3. How does Ansel’s vision for the Silent Assassins differ from their current practices, and what does this suggest about her character?
Answer:
Ansel criticizes the Silent Assassins for being passive and “whoring themselves out to foreign courts” instead of using their skills for broader protection, like defending the Flatlands. She believes they should pursue “greatness” and “glory” by actively combating threats like the witches. This reveals Ansel as ambitious, idealistic, and possibly rebellious—she values proactive justice over tradition. Her perspective contrasts with the assassins’ current role as mercenaries, suggesting she may challenge the Master’s authority or seek to reform the group’s purpose later in the story.4. What literary techniques does the author use to create suspense in the witch story, and how effective are they?
Answer:
The author builds suspense through gradual revelation and vivid details. Ansel starts with a seemingly innocent childhood memory, then slowly introduces ominous elements: the “old woman with metal teeth,” Maddy’s screams, and finally the discovered bones. The use of sensory descriptions (“bones white as ivory”) and pauses in dialogue (“Ansel was quiet for a moment”) heightens tension. Celaena’s reactions—shuddering, choking on her breath—mirror the reader’s fear, making the tale feel immersive. These techniques effectively transform a campfire story into a haunting narrative that lingers beyond the chapter.5. How does the setting of the desert and Xandria influence the characters’ interactions and the story’s mood?
Answer:
The harsh desert setting amplifies the characters’ physical discomfort, fostering candid conversations like Ansel’s witch story and their debate about the assassins’ purpose. The isolation and exposure make their vulnerabilities more apparent, deepening their bond. Meanwhile, the brief mention of Xandria’s bustling Market Day contrasts with the desert’s emptiness, hinting at cultural diversity and economic resilience despite Adarlan’s embargo. This juxtaposition of vast, dangerous landscapes and vibrant human settlements reinforces themes of survival and adaptability central to the chapter.
Quotes
1. ““Are you sure you’re Celaena Sardothien? Because I don’t think she’d actually be this fussy. I bet she’s used to roughing it.” / “I’m plenty used to roughing it. That doesn’t mean I have to enjoy it.”
This exchange highlights Celaena’s character—her pride in her skills as an assassin contrasts with her aversion to discomfort, revealing her complexity and humanity beneath her formidable reputation.
2. ““When the Ironteeth Clans destroyed the kingdom, they say the last Crochan Queen cast a spell that turned the land against any that flew under the banners of the Ironteeth—so that no crops would grow, the animals withered up and died, and the waters turned muddy.”
This quote introduces the lore of the Witch Wars and the Crochan Queen’s curse, a pivotal piece of world-building that adds depth to the story’s mythology and foreshadows future conflicts.
3. ““They climbed the tower, and on one of the landings, they found the bones of a child. White as ivory and picked clean.””
Ansel’s chilling account of the Ironteeth witch’s brutality underscores the danger and horror of these creatures, setting a dark tone and raising stakes for the protagonists.
4. ““If I were the Master, I’d use our numbers for greatness—for glory. We’d defend every unprotected realm out there.””
Ansel’s ambitious vision for the Silent Assassins reveals her idealism and hunger for purpose, contrasting with the group’s current neutrality and hinting at her potential future role in the story.
5. “Celaena, though, stayed awake a while longer, unable to stop imagining what that witch had done when she dragged Maddy into the shadows of the tower.”
This closing line emphasizes the psychological impact of Ansel’s story on Celaena, showing her vulnerability and foreshadowing future encounters with the witches.