---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...are you as deft at handling your sword…"
description: "\"“...are you as deft at handling your sword as Captain Westfall?\" \"Better,\" he whispered in her ear.”\" — Sarah J. Maas"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b1/sarah-j-maas-58_celaena_are-you-as-deft-at-handling-your-sword-a_746081.png"
---

#  ...are you as deft at handling your sword as Captain…

![“...are you as deft at handling your sword as Captain Westfall?&quot; &quot;Better,&quot; he whispered in her ear.” quote by Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b1/sarah-j-maas-58_celaena_are-you-as-deft-at-handling-your-sword-a_746081.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b1/sarah-j-maas-58_celaena_are-you-as-deft-at-handling-your-sword-a_746081.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b1/sarah-j-maas-58_celaena_are-you-as-deft-at-handling-your-sword-a_746081.png)

> ““...are you as deft at handling your sword as Captain Westfall?" "Better," he whispered in her ear.””

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A character asks about sword skill, receiving a confident, intimate affirmation.

**In simple terms:** Confidence in skill expressed softly.

Key Takeaway

Believe in your abilities.

Themes

confidence skill intimacy

Mood

romantic fantasy

Type

dialogue character development

When to use this quote

- role‑play games
- fantasy novels
- personal confidence

Key Concepts

character interaction self‑assurance

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you convey confidence without arrogance?
- When is intimacy appropriate in mentorship?

A Different Perspective

May overlook humility; context matters.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Celaena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/celaena/) [Celaena-sardothien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/celaena-sardothien/) [Chaol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chaol/) [Chaol-westfall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chaol-westfall/) [Sword](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sword/)

## Related quotes

> [“After a moment, his father looked up from the list and surveyed her. "Well done, Champion. Well done indeed." Then Celaena and the King…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/after-a-moment-his-father-looked-up-from-the-list-and-surveyed-her-2/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“I'm not ill like that,” she groaned. He sat on her bed, peeling back the blanket. A servant entered, frowning at the mess on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-m-not-ill-like-that-she-groaned-he-sat-on-her-bed-peeling-back-the/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“And she was snarling, snarling like some kind of animal as she snapped for his neck. He reared back, throwing her against the marble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/and-she-was-snarling-snarling-like-some-kind-of-animal-as-she-snapped/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Chaol," he said, looking over his shoulder. Dorian's eyes were frozen, his jaw clenched. "Treat her well.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/chaol-he-said-looking-over-his-shoulder-dorian-s-eyes-were-frozen-his/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Dorian could only stare at her. This was different from the feral creature she'd become the night Nehemia had died. What she was right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/dorian-could-only-stare-at-her-this-was-different-from-the-feral/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Roland gave her a courtier’s smile. “And what sort of work do you do for my uncle? ” Dorian shifted on his feet and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/roland-gave-her-a-courtier-s-smile-and-what-sort-of-work-do-you-do/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Celaena threw her weight into the dagger she held aloft, and gained an inch. His arms strained. She was going to kill him. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/celaena-threw-her-weight-into-the-dagger-she-held-aloft-and-gained-an/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“And then that voice from behind her said her name again. "Celaena." They had done this. Her bloody fingers slid down Dorian's face, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/and-then-that-voice-from-behind-her-said-her-name-again-celaena-they/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“... He'd been about to turn away when she lifted her face to the moon and sang. It was not in any language that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/he-d-been-about-to-turn-away-when-she-lifted-her-face-to-the-moon-and/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“It was like coming home or being born or suddenly finding an entire half of herself that had been missing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/it-was-like-coming-home-or-being-born-or-suddenly-finding-an-entire/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“There was a poem scribbled at the top of the Ashryver family tree, as though some student had dashed it down as a reminder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/there-was-a-poem-scribbled-at-the-top-of-the-ashryver-family-tree-as/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“We don't look back. It helps no one and nothing to look back.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/we-don-t-look-back-it-helps-no-one-and-nothing-to-look-back/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Every step. Every curve into darkness. Every moment of despair and rage and pain. It had led him to precisely where he needed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/every-step-every-curve-into-darkness-every-moment-of-despair-and-rage/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“I knew another women who lost as much as you. And do you know what she did with it-the loss?' He could barely stop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-knew-another-women-who-lost-as-much-as-you-and-do-you-know-what-she/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Afraid she and I had a summer romance?" That insufferable grin was still there. "I hope you did. I certainly enjoyed myself this summer."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/afraid-she-and-i-had-a-summer-romance-that-insufferable-grin-was/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

## More by Sarah J. Maas

> [“Light it up, bitch.' 'Light it up, asshole,' ...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/light-it-up-bitch-light-it-up-asshole/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“What does he look like? The question was soft- tentative. I knew who he meant. I interlaced my fingers through Rhysand's and squeezed tightly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-does-he-look-like-the-question-was-soft-tentative-i-knew-who-he/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Lysandra chuckled, a surprisingly deep, wicked sound—probably a laugh she never let Arobynn or her clients hear. “Some night soon, I’ll sneak back in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/lysandra-chuckled-a-surprisingly-deep-wicked-sound-probably-a-laugh/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“I love you. I am in love with you, Rowan. I have been for a while. And I know there are limits to what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-love-you-i-am-in-love-with-you-rowan-i-have-been-for-a-while-and-i/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Perhaps Nesta will take up the blood-drinking habit, too. I certainly believe her threat to rip out my throat. Maybe she'll enjoy the taste.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/perhaps-nesta-will-take-up-the-blood-drinking-habit-too-i-certainly/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“To being the most fearsome and imposing girls the world has ever seen.” Celaena raised her goblet high before she drank. As she swallowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/to-being-the-most-fearsome-and-imposing-girls-the-world-has-ever-seen/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“have no interest in prisoners or battling today,” Manon said. The Queen of Terrasen gave her a grin. “Good.” Manon turned away, barking at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/have-no-interest-in-prisoners-or-battling-today-manon-said-the-queen/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Well, I'm late for something incredibly important," Lucien said, and before I could call him on his outright lie or beg him to stay,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/well-i-m-late-for-something-incredibly-important-lucien-said-and/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Holy gods. He'd frozen the whole damn lake. He was THAT powerful?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/holy-gods-he-d-frozen-the-whole-damn-lake-he-was-that-powerful/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“She bellowed the last word with such soul-deep hatred that he felt it like a punch to the gut.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/she-bellowed-the-last-word-with-such-soul-deep-hatred-that-he-felt-it/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Afraid she and I had a summer romance?" That insufferable grin was still there. "I hope you did. I certainly enjoyed myself this summer."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/afraid-she-and-i-had-a-summer-romance-that-insufferable-grin-was/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“There are different kinds of darkness,” Rhys said. I kept my eyes shut. “There is the darkness that frightens, the darkness that soothes, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/there-are-different-kinds-of-darkness-rhys-said-i-kept-my-eyes-shut/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“So you’re going to ask Ress and Brullo to just leave a back door open so you can sneak in?” “Don’t be so simpleminded.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/so-you-re-going-to-ask-ress-and-brullo-to-just-leave-a-back-door-open/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Gently, he pulled my hands away from my face. Gently, he took my cheeks in his hands and brushed away my tears. I didn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/gently-he-pulled-my-hands-away-from-my-face-gently-he-took-my-cheeks/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“I barely saw my silk slipper as it flew through the air, fast as a shooting star, so fast that even a High Lord…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-barely-saw-my-silk-slipper-as-it-flew-through-the-air-fast-as-a/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

[Explore all 1,807 Sarah J. Maas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

## More Celaena quotes

> [“Afraid she and I had a summer romance?" That insufferable grin was still there. "I hope you did. I certainly enjoyed myself this summer."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/afraid-she-and-i-had-a-summer-romance-that-insufferable-grin-was/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“If they wanted Adarlan's Assassin, they'd get her. And Wyrd help them when she arrived.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/if-they-wanted-adarlan-s-assassin-they-d-get-her-and-wyrd-help-them/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Celaena," Chaol said gently. And then she heard the scraping noise as his hand came into view, sliding across the flagstones. His fingertips stopped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/celaena-chaol-said-gently-and-then-she-heard-the-scraping-noise-as/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Roland gave her a courtier’s smile. “And what sort of work do you do for my uncle? ” Dorian shifted on his feet and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/roland-gave-her-a-courtier-s-smile-and-what-sort-of-work-do-you-do/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“The world slowed to the beat of an ancient, ageless drum. Celaena behold the room. The blood was everywhere. Before the bed, Nehemia's bodyguards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/the-world-slowed-to-the-beat-of-an-ancient-ageless-drum-celaena/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Dorian could only stare at her. This was different from the feral creature she'd become the night Nehemia had died. What she was right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/dorian-could-only-stare-at-her-this-was-different-from-the-feral/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Chaol," he said, looking over his shoulder. Dorian's eyes were frozen, his jaw clenched. "Treat her well.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/chaol-he-said-looking-over-his-shoulder-dorian-s-eyes-were-frozen-his/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“You always wear that necklace," he said. "Is it another gift?" Though she wore gloves, he glanced at her hand - where the amethyst…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/you-always-wear-that-necklace-he-said-is-it-another-gift-though-she/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Celaena stared at the dark, tilled earth, a chill wind rustling her veil. Her chest ached, but this was the one last thing she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/celaena-stared-at-the-dark-tilled-earth-a-chill-wind-rustling-her/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“I'm not ill like that,” she groaned. He sat on her bed, peeling back the blanket. A servant entered, frowning at the mess on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-m-not-ill-like-that-she-groaned-he-sat-on-her-bed-peeling-back-the/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“You're remarkably judgmental.' 'What's the point in having a mind if you don't use it to make judgements?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/you-re-remarkably-judgmental-what-s-the-point-in-having-a-mind-if-you-2/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [If you can learn to endure pain, you can survive anything. Some people learn to embrace it- to love it. Some endure it through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/if-you-can-learn-to-endure-pain-you-can-survive-anything-some-people-2/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“And then that voice from behind her said her name again. "Celaena." They had done this. Her bloody fingers slid down Dorian's face, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/and-then-that-voice-from-behind-her-said-her-name-again-celaena-they/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“The girl was alluring. Like wildfire, or a summer storm swept off the Gulf of Oro.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/the-girl-was-alluring-like-wildfire-or-a-summer-storm-swept-off-the/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“... the doors to his father's council room were thrown open and Celaena prowled in, her dark cape billowing behind her. All twenty men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/the-doors-to-his-father-s-council-room-were-thrown-open-and-celaena/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

[Browse all 24 Celaena quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/celaena/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“...are you as deft at handling your sword as Captain Westfall?\" \"Better,\" he whispered in her ear.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Sarah J. Maas"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/are-you-as-deft-at-handling-your-sword-as-captain-westfall-better-he/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Celaena"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/are-you-as-deft-at-handling-your-sword-as-captain-westfall-better-he/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b1/sarah-j-maas-58_celaena_are-you-as-deft-at-handling-your-sword-a_746081.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b1/sarah-j-maas-58_celaena_are-you-as-deft-at-handling-your-sword-a_746081.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b1/sarah-j-maas-58_celaena_are-you-as-deft-at-handling-your-sword-a_746081.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“...are you as deft at handling your sword as Captain Westfall?\" \"Better,\" he whispered in her ear.” — Sarah J. Maas",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Sarah J. Maas",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“...are you as deft at handling...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/are-you-as-deft-at-handling-your-sword-as-captain-westfall-better-he/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/are-you-as-deft-at-handling-your-sword-as-captain-westfall-better-he/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
