The Assassin and the Desert
Chapter Three
by Maas, Sarah J.Celaena prepares for dinner in the desert fortress, choosing attire that complements her appearance despite the lingering heat. Accompanied by Ansel, she navigates the complex with varying rules of silence, exhausted yet observant. Upon entering the bustling dining hall, she notes its exits and diverse occupants—assassins of all ages and nationalities who show little interest in her presence. Ansel introduces her casually to the group, highlighting the subdued yet attentive atmosphere as Celaena remains wary of her unfamiliar surroundings.
The chapter reveals the dynamics of the assassin community through dinner interactions. Ansel serves Celaena food, assuring her it’s safe despite ongoing tensions with Lord Berick, a local adversary. Through banter with Mikhail, Ansel explains Berick’s relentless attempts to eliminate the assassins, from poisoned gifts to failed military tactics. The conversation underscores the fortress’s resilience and the assassins’ camaraderie, even as they maintain a cautious awareness of external threats.
Ansel’s role as a negotiator with Berick adds depth to her character, revealing her bravery and occasional dramatics. Mikhail’s teasing contrasts with the gravity of their situation, as Berick’s brutality is hinted at through past encounters. Celaena, though initially hesitant, begins to eat and observes the diverse, surprisingly joyful atmosphere—a stark contrast to the deadly profession of those around her.
The chapter closes with Celaena’s quiet reflection on the unique blend of cultures and the unexpected sense of community among the assassins. Her curiosity about the foreign dignitaries and the fortress’s operations lingers, setting the stage for further exploration of this enigmatic world. The juxtaposition of danger and normalcy in the dining hall encapsulates the duality of her new environment.
FAQs
1. What are the key details about Lord Berick and his conflict with the assassins’ fortress?
Answer:
Lord Berick is the ruler of Xandria who claims authority over the Red Desert region where the assassins’ fortress is located. He has repeatedly attempted to kill the assassins through various methods—sending poisoned asps, soldiers disguised as dignitaries, flaming arrows, and even tunneling under the walls—but has failed due to the assassins’ skills and the fortress’s impenetrability. His motivation stems from wanting to regain Adarlan’s favor after an embargo was placed on the Red Desert for his refusal to suppress a rebellion in Eyllwe. Berick is notably brutal, as evidenced by his mutilation of captured assassins (Chapter Three).2. How does the chapter illustrate the cultural dynamics and atmosphere within the assassins’ fortress?
Answer:
The dining hall scene reveals a diverse, multinational community of assassins coexisting peacefully despite their lethal professions. The chapter notes the presence of people “of all ages, all nationalities” sharing meals with an air of contentment. The assassins’ reactions to Celaena—benign curiosity rather than hostility—further emphasize this collegial environment. Additionally, the varying speech protocols (some areas requiring whispers or silence) suggest a structured yet adaptable social system. The inclusion of foreign dignitaries and Ansel’s casual banter with Mikhail also highlights a blend of formality and camaraderie (Chapter Three).3. Analyze Ansel’s role as a mediator and how her characterization advances the plot.
Answer:
Ansel serves as both a guide for Celaena and a diplomatic liaison to Lord Berick, showcasing her dual role as a skilled assassin and negotiator. Her self-deprecating humor (“I’m the most charming of you lot”) and bravery in facing Berick hint at her strategic importance to the fortress. Her interactions with Mikhail and Celaena also humanize the assassins, contrasting their lethal skills with relatable traits like playfulness and exhaustion. This characterization foreshadows potential conflicts (e.g., Berick’s threats) while grounding the narrative in interpersonal dynamics (Chapter Three).4. What strategic insights does the chapter provide about the assassins’ fortress and its defenses?
Answer:
The chapter underscores the fortress’s tactical advantages: its impenetrability (failed tunneling attempts), the assassins’ vigilance (detecting poisoned food), and their collective skill (“We’re far too skilled to fall for [poisons]”). The mention of three exits in the dining hall and the assassins’ situational awareness (e.g., scanning rooms) further emphasize their operational discipline. These details suggest that physical and intellectual defenses are equally prioritized, making the fortress a formidable stronghold against external threats like Berick’s forces (Chapter Three).5. How does Celaena’s perspective shape the reader’s understanding of the setting and its inhabitants?
Answer:
Celaena’s observations—such as her exhaustion, her scrutiny of the dining hall’s exits, and her surprise at the assassins’ indifference toward her—offer a relatable lens for the reader. Her initial wariness (hesitating to eat) contrasts with the community’s normalcy, subtly highlighting their acclimation to danger. By noting the assassins’ joy and diversity, she also indirectly critiques the rigidity of other settings (like Rifthold), positioning the fortress as a unique space where lethality and harmony coexist (Chapter Three).
Quotes
1. “None of them looked at Celaena as Ansel ambled toward a table near the front of the room. If they knew who she was, they certainly didn’t care. She tried not to scowl.”
This quote highlights Celaena’s initial discomfort and ego-check in the assassins’ fortress, where her reputation doesn’t command the attention she expects. It establishes the chapter’s theme of humility and cultural adjustment.
2. “Lord Berick might want to kill us, but he knows better than to try to get rid of us through poisons. We’re far too skilled to fall for that sort of thing. Aren’t we?”
Ansel’s darkly humorous remark introduces the central conflict with Lord Berick while showcasing the assassins’ pride in their abilities. The quote effectively blends world-building with character voice.
3. “The King of Adarlan set an embargo on the Red Desert after Lord Berick failed to send troops into Eyllwe to crush some rebellion, and Berick has been dying to get back in the king’s good graces ever since.”
This exposition reveals the political backdrop of the story, connecting the local conflict to larger geopolitical tensions in the series’ universe. It explains Berick’s motivations while hinting at the Adarlan Empire’s oppressive reach.
4. “Outside of the markets in Rifthold and the slave ships at Skull’s Bay, she’d never seen such a mix of different kingdoms and continents. And though most of the people here were trained killers, there was an air of peace and contentment—of joy, even.”
Celaena’s observation captures the paradoxical nature of the assassins’ community - deadly yet harmonious. This contrast between expectation and reality marks a turning point in her perception of the fortress and its inhabitants.