chapters 11-20 Summary

In chapter eleven, Chaol wakes Celaena and shows her a large breakfast, warning her that the competition begins in an hour. Chaol does not know what any of the challenges will be. He leads her into a giant rectangular room, where many of the contestants are already present. Cain enters and says good morning to her, but he is condescending. Chaol has her pick a weapon off a rack. The two spar with swords, and she discovers he is an excellent swordsman, and he manages to defeat her. She chooses knives for the second sparring match.

In chapter twelve, the sparring is stopped by a man who introduces himself as Theodus Brullo, the weapons master and judge of the competition. He has each of the competitors introduce themselves. Many of them are ex-soldiers or thieves. The last man to introduce himself...