The Assassin & The Empire - 3

[Lauren]

Sam and Celaena feel that they are different from Farran because they don't enjoy torturing others - for them it is only a job. Is this true or are they being hypocritical?

[Jonetta]

They were trying to find their humanity. Sam knew they weren’t much different.

[Lauren]

Yes, Celaena also acknowledges that there were times she enjoyed hurting the more evil targets.

[Jonetta]

This was an important moment in my mind. We’ve seen them slowly making distinctions now between good and evil. Arobynn was aware of this, which is why he lied to them about Doneval. They’ve never questioned this before and when Celaena made the decision to free those slaves at Skull’s Bay, I believe Arobynn recognized that, for the first time, Celaena used her own judgment about right and wrong.

[Melissa]

I think they were just trying to make themselves feel better about what they do. Although they don't enjoy it like Farran does, they do still kill. And, Celeana has admitted to enjoying it at times.

[Jonetta]

I agree, Melissa. And, at the same time, they’re questioning their choices and who they are, especially as they consider doing something other than being assassins.

[Lauren]

Jonetta wrote: "I believe Arobynn recognized that, for the first time, Celaena used her own judgment about right and wrong. ."

Agreed. Perhaps this was the test. If she blindly followed his orders at Skull Bay then he knew she would be his tool. When she didn't, he began to realize she might even be a threat and sent her to the Silent Assassins perhaps thinking she would fail there as well.

[Jonetta]

Lauren wrote: "Perhaps this was the test...."

I’m not even sure it was a test. Her reaction to the assignment turned out to be the surprise.