The Assassin and the Desert: A Throne of Glass Novella
Chapter Nine
by Maas, Sarah J.In this chapter, Celaena struggles with her focus during a training session with the Master of the Silent Assassins, distracted by lingering thoughts and her recent conflicts. Her mind is preoccupied with feelings of guilt and self-awareness, especially after a confrontation with her friend Ansel, whom she perceives as spoiled and selfish. Despite her internal turmoil, Celaena observes and begins to mimic the Master’s movements, learning to embody the qualities of power, agility, and restraint. The training on the rooftop serves as a metaphor for her internal development, blending physical discipline with emotional reflection.
As night deepens, Celaena confesses her fears about returning home, revealing her anxiety about the changes she anticipates and her uncertainty about the future. She admits that her experiences, especially her punishment by Arobynn and her time in Skull’s Bay, have altered her perception of the world. The Master listens with compassionate silence, providing a quiet space for her to voice her vulnerability. Her fear of the past and hope for the future intertwine, highlighting her emotional complexity and the weight of her recent experiences.
The chapter also explores the evolving friendship between Celaena and Ansel. Ansel, dressed in her father’s armor, admits her regret over past harsh words, expressing her genuine affection and concern for Celaena. Their exchange is tender and sincere, marked by mutual apologies and an understanding that their bond is rare and valuable. Ansel’s declaration of being her first true friend underscores the loneliness Celaena feels despite her confidence and skill. Their heartfelt conversation, accompanied by shared wine, signifies a moment of reconciliation and emotional intimacy amidst the overarching tension.
The chapter concludes with a sinister turn as Celaena, after sharing a toast with Ansel, experiences a sudden, strange taste in her wine. Her realization that the drink is poisoned comes too late, and she collapses into unconsciousness. This ominous ending hints at impending danger and betrayal, adding a layer of suspense and foreshadowing the peril that awaits her. The chapter masterfully combines themes of self-discovery, friendship, vulnerability, and treachery, setting the stage for the challenges ahead.
FAQs
1. Question 1
What internal conflict does Celaena experience during her training session on the roof, and how does her interaction with the Master help her process this conflict?
Answer:
Celaena struggles with feelings of childishness and insecurity when she considers sharing her fight with Ansel with the Master. She perceives her emotions as petty and worries that the Master of the Silent Assassins might dismiss her concerns. Her interaction with the Master on the roof, where he encourages her to talk and demonstrates grace and control through his movements, provides her with a safe space to confront her fears. Their silent companionship and his nonjudgmental presence help her realize that expressing her feelings is acceptable. The Master’s calm demeanor and gentle prompting allow her to acknowledge her fears of change and loss, helping her process her internal conflict about her identity, fears, and the uncertain future.2. Question 2
How does Celaena’s training on the roof reflect her development as an assassin, and what qualities does she begin to embody through this practice?
Answer:
Celaena’s training on the roof, where she mimics the Master’s graceful and deadly movements, symbolizes her growth in mastering the physical and mental qualities essential for an assassin. Through repeated practice, she begins to embody contained power, swiftness, cunning, and restraint—traits necessary for stealth and lethal efficiency. The act of copying the Master’s movements until they become instinctive demonstrates her progression from a novice to someone who internalizes the skills rather than merely performing them. This practice also reflects her developing discipline, patience, and focus, emphasizing that true mastery involves both physical prowess and mental control. Her gradual transformation into “the asp”—a deadly, precise predator—illustrates her evolution into a more formidable and self-assured assassin.3. Question 3
Analyze the significance of Celaena’s feelings of fear about returning home. How does her perception of change influence her emotional state, and what does this reveal about her character?
Answer:
Celaena’s fear of returning home stems from her perception that everything has changed since her punishment and her departure to Skull’s Bay. She fears that the world she knew no longer exists and that returning might mean confronting an uncertain, possibly hostile environment. Her feelings reveal her vulnerability and her struggle to reconcile her desire for stability with her awareness that change is inevitable. Her admission that she doesn’t want things to revert to the way they were highlights her internal conflict—she is both afraid of loss and uncertain about embracing her new reality. This emotional state underscores her complexity as a character—tough and skilled yet emotionally fragile and longing for a sense of control and normalcy amidst chaos.4. Question 4
What is the symbolic significance of the scene where Celaena and Ansel toast with wine, and what are the implications of the ending where Celaena falls unconscious?
Answer:
The toast with wine symbolizes a moment of camaraderie, reconciliation, and the desire to cherish positive memories despite underlying tensions. Ansel’s words about making amends and creating fond memories reflect a fleeting hope for friendship and connection. However, the scene’s darker implication is foreshadowed by Celaena’s observation that Ansel’s eyes are filled with sorrow and the strange taste of the wine. The ending, where Celaena falls unconscious after drinking, suggests that the wine was poisoned, introducing a sinister twist. This turn of events signifies betrayal and forewarns of impending danger, emphasizing that appearances of friendship can be deceptive. It also marks a pivotal moment, highlighting the peril that surrounds Celaena and the treacherous environment she navigates.5. Question 5
Considering the chapter’s themes of change, control, and danger, how might Celaena’s experiences in this chapter shape her future decisions and actions?
Answer:
This chapter exposes Celaena to both internal growth and external threats. Her practice on the roof signifies her developing discipline, resilience, and mastery—traits that will be crucial for her future as an assassin. Her emotional vulnerability about change and her fears of returning home reveal her internal struggles, which may influence her to seek control and stability more fiercely. The poisoning at the end serves as a stark reminder of the danger and deception inherent in her environment, likely prompting her to become more cautious and discerning. Overall, her experiences—balancing self-discovery, emotional honesty, and the threat of betrayal—will influence her to navigate her path with increased awareness, resilience, and strategic thinking as she confronts future challenges.
Quotes
1. “She didn’t have anything to say, so they sat on the parapet in silence for a while—until even the cicadas went to sleep, and the moon slipped away behind them, and the sky began to brighten. Talk. Talk about what had been haunting her these months.”
This passage underscores Celaena’s internal struggle with her fears and the weight of her past, highlighting the chapter’s focus on confronting inner turmoil and the importance of silent reflection before revealing her deepest anxieties.
2. “I’m scared to go home,” she said at last, staring out at the dunes beyond the walls.
The quote captures the pivotal moment where Celaena confesses her vulnerability, revealing her fear of change and the uncertainty of returning to a transformed world. It emphasizes the chapter’s exploration of fear, change, and the difficulty of facing one’s past.
3. “Again and again, the sweep and curve of her arm, the twisting of her torso, even the rhythm of her breathing. Again and again, until she became the asp, until the sun broke over the horizon, bathing them in red light.”
This description illustrates Celaena’s intense training and mimicry of the Master’s movements, symbolizing her growth in discipline, self-control, and mastery—key themes of empowerment and transformation woven throughout the chapter.
4. “I have lots of friends here, but you’re the first true friend I’ve had. I’ll be sorry to see you go.”
This heartfelt acknowledgment emphasizes the importance of genuine connection amidst a backdrop of personal struggle, marking a significant emotional turning point and highlighting themes of friendship and loss.
5. “And the second—which explained the first—was that the wine tasted strange. But Celaena didn’t have time to consider what poison it was before she heard her own goblet clatter to the floor, and the world spun and went black.”
This moment reveals the chapter’s ominous turn, hinting at betrayal and danger, and underscores the chapter’s climax where innocence is shattered and peril emerges unexpectedly.