The Assassin and the Desert - 1

[Lauren]

The Mute Master and Arobynn have very different approaches to instructing their acolytes. Thoughts.

[Lieke]

I think the style of the mute master will be more effective in the end. Although you might expect different with an assassins guild. But I think his assassins will be more loyal to him and his guild.

[Melissa]

Every teacher has their own teaching style. I think the Mute Masters style teaches more respect than Arobynn's does.

[Jonetta]

Arobynn is all about brute force and bloodlessness. He’s trained his Assassins to fear him, trust no one and question no assignment. He raises his students to lack empathy and focus solely on becoming the best. He will develop the most technically skilled team.

The Mute Master understands that an Assassin’s skills need to be more than technical. Mutual respect, empathy and loyalty are invaluable traits necessary in developing strong leaders and skilled warriors. It’s more than sword fighting. He’s developing a true team.

Celaena is a great example. Until her experiences with Sam, Ansel and the Mute Master, she was loyal only to Arobynn, mostly because she was his favorite. She was raised to compete with Sam and had no idea she could trust him, even like him, until they traveled together and she had no choice.

Arobynn’s world does not have sustainability. I figure that’s why Ben is dead.

[Jonetta]

I have a question. What did you think of Arobynn’s beating of Celaena?

[Lauren]

Jonetta wrote: "I have a question. What did you think of Arobynn’s beating of Celaena?"

It made me really annoyed at her continued (albeit reluctant) loyalty to him.

[Jonetta]

I found it absolutely disgusting. I also understand her reaction, though. He’s been her everything for a long time and right now she’s struggling through her emotions about him. But, that beating told me all I ever need to know about him and get how he could deal in slavery. There’s nothing admirable about him at all.

[Lauren]

Jonetta wrote: But, that beating told me all I ever need to know about him and get how he could deal in slavery. There’s nothing admirable about him at all. .."

Yes, it reinforced the idea that he is a twisted person and nothing he says can be believed. I think that Celaena will have to learn this the hard way though.

[Melissa]

I like how you worded you answer, Jonetta. Well put. As for the beating...unacceptable. There are other ways to punish someone. If you have started the next story, The Assassin and the Underworld, Arobynn's actions toward Celaena remind me of an abusive relationship. I hope she figures things out before he does it again and worse.

[Jonetta]

Thanks, Melissa. I’m about halfway and want to gag at his gestures of “sorry.” Classic abuser.

[Lauren]

My initial impressions of Arobynn were positive as he not only raised Celaena but made her his heir.

His abuse now seem to be his true nature, but I have to ask what pre-empted the change in his attitude, i.e., why did he send her and Sam to Skull Bay? There is more to this than meets the eye.

[Jonetta]

I don’t think his attitude changed at all. He was grooming her the entire time. Classic behavior for an abuser. And, I think he was waiting for her to turn 18 before turning the relationship romantic. Remember, even Celaena wasn’t sure hoe to define it...father, brother or lover.

[Lauren]

Jonetta wrote: "He was grooming her the entire time. Classic behavior for an abuser.."

Yes, that make sense. However, I cannot help but wonder whether something happened to make him move his timetable forward because his sending Celaena to Skull Bay was a miscalculation - she wasn't completely under his thumb yet.

[Jonetta]

Celaena adored and worshipped him before that trip. She was his favorite, his protégée. She’d do anything he asked without question and was completely under his “spell.” A different type of spell. Arobynn didn’t think she’d have a conscience about his slave trade and thought nothing about giving her this assignment. Same for Sam. He only went along with Celeana’s plan.

As far as I could tell, this was the only time Celaena had ever disobeyed him. Look at how he reacted.