The Assassin and the Desert
Chapter Four
by Maas, Sarah J.Celaena continues her training with the Silent Assassins, pushing herself to improve under Ansel’s guidance. Despite her progress, she grows frustrated by the Master’s absence and the lack of direct instruction, receiving only basic corrections from older assassins. Ilias, the Master’s son, often trains nearby, his presence hinting at a possible interest in her. Celaena observes the Silent Assassins’ unique fighting style, noting their quiet movements and less brutal approach compared to the cutthroat environment of Adarlan, where Arobynn fostered competition and rewarded ruthlessness.
The chapter highlights the stark contrast between the Silent Assassins’ communal learning and the adversarial training Celaena experienced under Arobynn. Here, seasoned assassins willingly share knowledge, and camaraderie binds the group, creating a sense of collective purpose. Celaena, however, struggles to adapt, resisting their corrections and clinging to her pride as Adarlan’s top assassin. Despite her disdain, she recognizes the value of their methods and the fortress’s mysterious allure, which seems to offer answers to its members. Her primary goal remains obtaining a letter of recommendation from the Master, even if it requires force.
The narrative shifts when Lord Berick’s soldiers launch a surprise attack on the fortress. Celaena joins the assassins in defense, taking position on the battlements with Ansel. Ilias coordinates their response using silent signals, and the assassins prepare to ignite a hidden oil trench to deter the invaders. Ansel explains the plan to Celaena, who realizes the strategic brilliance behind the trap. The assassins fire flaming arrows, creating a massive wall of fire to scare off the attackers without engaging in direct combat.
As the flames erupt, Celaena ducks for cover amid enemy arrows, witnessing the efficiency and discipline of the Silent Assassins. The chapter ends with the attackers repelled, leaving Celaena to reflect on the group’s unity and skill. The encounter reinforces her determination to prove herself to the Master, even as she grapples with the differences between her past and this new, enigmatic order. The attack also raises questions about potential betrayal, hinting at deeper conflicts to come.
FAQs
1. How does Celaena’s training experience with the Silent Assassins differ from her training under Arobynn in Adarlan?
Answer:
Celaena observes stark contrasts between the two assassin groups’ philosophies. Under Arobynn, training was cutthroat and individualistic—he pitted her against others like Sam, rewarded brutality, and discouraged showing weakness. The Silent Assassins, however, emphasize collective learning and mentorship. Older assassins willingly teach younger ones, techniques are shared openly, and there’s a sense of camaraderie rather than competition. While both groups are deadly, the Silent Assassins lack the “viciousness” Celaena associates with Adarlan’s assassins. This difference highlights how Arobynn fostered paranoia and isolation, whereas the Silent Assassins value unity and shared growth.2. What strategic methods do the Silent Assassins use to defend against Lord Berick’s attack, and what does this reveal about their approach to conflict?
Answer:
Instead of engaging in direct combat, the assassins employ psychological warfare and non-lethal deterrence. They rig a ridge with oil-soaked rope and use flaming arrows to create a sudden, intimidating wall of fire. This tactic aims to scare off the attackers without escalating to all-out bloodshed. The approach reflects their preference for minimizing casualties and avoiding prolonged conflicts—unlike Celaena’s instinct to kill the intruders. It also demonstrates their preparedness, as Mikhail and Ilias had preemptively set the trap. Their strategy underscores a calculated, restrained philosophy compared to the brute-force methods Celaena is accustomed to.3. Analyze Celaena’s internal conflict regarding her need for the Master’s approval. How does this drive her actions in the chapter?
Answer:
Celaena is torn between her pride as Adarlan’s top assassin and her desperation to earn the Master’s letter of recommendation. She resents being treated as a “lackey” and initially resists the Silent Assassins’ corrections, believing her skills are already superior. However, she suppresses her defiance, recognizing that their approval is essential for her goals. This tension fuels her efforts—she attends drills diligently, observes their techniques, and even participates in defending the fortress, hoping to prove her worth. Her internal struggle highlights her adaptability but also her lingering arrogance, as she contemplates extreme measures like threatening the Master.4. What symbolic significance might the “silence” of the Silent Assassins hold, based on Celaena’s observations?
Answer:
The silence operates on multiple levels: literal (some assassins are mute), tactical (stealth is their hallmark skill), and philosophical. Celaena notes that the assassins seem to seek answers in the quiet, suggesting silence as a metaphor for introspection and hidden truths. The fortress becomes a sanctuary where they confront their pasts or purposes—unlike Adarlan’s assassins, who were trained to mask vulnerabilities. The collective silence also binds them, creating a shared identity. For Celaena, this contrasts sharply with Arobynn’s world of verbal manipulation, hinting at a potential path toward self-discovery beyond violence.5. How does Ansel’s role in this chapter serve as a foil to Celaena, and what might their dynamic foreshadow?
Answer:
Ansel embodies adaptability and camaraderie, contrasting Celaena’s lone-wolf tendencies. She corrects Celaena’s assumptions (e.g., about the assassins’ lethality) and guides her during the battle, demonstrating teamwork. Their dynamic hints at a mentor-student relationship, with Ansel potentially helping Celaena reconcile her past training with the Silent Assassins’ values. However, Ansel’s casual remark about wishing to kill Lord Berick’s men also mirrors Celaena’s ruthlessness, suggesting they share a darker edge. This duality foreshadows either growth for Celaena—learning to trust others—or a relapse into isolation if their similarities clash.
Quotes
1. “Brutality was rewarded. And education and culture were equally important—words could be just as deadly as steel.”
This quote contrasts Celaena’s upbringing under Arobynn with the Silent Assassins’ philosophy, highlighting the cutthroat values instilled in Adarlan’s assassins where both violence and intellect were weapons.
2. “Though they, too, might be killers, they looked to each other for learning. Embraced collective wisdom.”
This captures the core difference between the Silent Assassins and Celaena’s past experience, showing their communal approach to growth versus Adarlan’s individualistic brutality.
3. “As if the fortress and what it offered somehow held the answers they sought. As if they could find whatever they were looking for in the silence.”
This poetic observation reveals the spiritual dimension of the Silent Assassins’ sanctuary, hinting at deeper purposes beyond mere combat training.
4. “She’d get that letter. Even if she had to hold a dagger to his throat while he wrote it.”
This blunt declaration showcases Celaena’s determination and willingness to use violence, contrasting with the Silent Assassins’ more measured approach to conflict.
5. “We don’t want to start an all-out battle with Lord Berick. We just need to scare them off.”
This strategic distinction demonstrates the Silent Assassins’ pragmatic approach to conflict resolution, preferring deterrence over unnecessary bloodshed.