Chapter 22: It Is Done – Summary & Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This study companion reveals major plot points from Chapter 22 of A Soul of Ash and Blood. Read only if you have finished the chapter.
Summary
Hawke receives word atop the Rise that the guard Keal has been killed as ordered, opening a position in the Maiden’s personal detail. Commander Jansen then reveals that Jericho, a wolven, went beyond his instructions and tried to abduct the Maiden. Poppy fought back, cutting Jericho deeply and buying time for the guards to intervene; nevertheless, Jericho struck her during the attempt.
Hawke’s fury is immediate and volcanic. He leaves Jansen to cover for him and stalks through the smoke-filled streets of the Lower Ward to the Three Jackals gambling den, where Jericho is hiding. Outside, Kieran stops him. The wolven tells Hawke that killing Jericho — a descendant of an ancient family — would destroy the fragile trust of those who followed him into Solis. Moreover, Kieran insists that the others do not see the Maiden as a person; they see only a symbol of the Ascended. Killing one of their own over a symbol would cost Hawke everything.
Kieran’s argument also cuts to a deeper wound: he knows that Hawke’s rage is fueled not just by Jericho’s insubordination, but by his own traumatic history of forced violence at the hands of the Blood Crown. Eventually, the fury subsides. Hawke steps back, thanks Kieran for saving him from a catastrophic mistake, and regains his composure.
Key Events
- Jansen reports the successful elimination of the guard Keal.
- Hawke learns that Jericho attempted to kidnap the Maiden and struck her.
- Poppy fought back, wounding Jericho and preventing the abduction.
- Hawke heads to the Three Jackals, determined to kill the wolven.
- Kieran intercepts him and dissuades him from acting rashly.
- Kieran forces Hawke to confront the political and personal consequences of executing Jericho.
- Hawke acknowledges his trauma and thanks Kieran for his counsel.
Character Development
Hawke (Casteel)
This chapter exposes the depth of Hawke’s emotional investment in Poppy. His instant, white-hot rage over the blow she received goes far beyond tactical annoyance; it cracks open the stoic façade he usually wears. Kieran’s reminder that the wolven regard Poppy as nothing but a symbol forces Hawke to examine how far his feelings have strayed from his mission. The moment also lays bare the unresolved trauma from his captivity, which often drives him toward extremes.
Kieran
Kieran proves to be the voice of reason and the guardian of Hawke’s better judgment. He isn’t afraid to physically block his Prince and challenge his reckless impulses, not out of sympathy for Jericho, but out of loyalty to Hawke and the larger cause. His knowledge of Hawke’s past allows him to steer the confrontation toward a rare moment of vulnerability and gratitude.
Poppy (the Maiden)
Though absent from the scene, Poppy’s resilience is felt through secondhand accounts. She didn’t freeze; she fought back, used a blade, and bought herself precious seconds. This reinforces her growing agency, a stark contrast to the passive symbol the wolven expect her to be.
Jericho
Jericho’s disobedience and violence against an unarmed woman (as he sees her) illustrate the dangerous friction within the ranks. His actions force the storyline to question whether the mission can survive the personal hatreds of those who signed up for it.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Rage versus Restraint: Hawke’s first instinct is lethal violence, but Kieran holds him back. The scene dramatizes the ongoing struggle between the vengeful survivor and the Prince who must shepherd an entire people.
- The Maiden as a Symbol: The wolven view Poppy only as a stand-in for the Ascended’s crimes. This dehumanization almost gets her killed, and it reveals how little those around Hawke understand his shifting loyalties.
- The Weight of the Crown: Kieran forces Hawke to own his title — “Oh, so now you claim ownership of that title?” — and accept that his personal desires can never outweigh the survival of Atlantia.
- Trauma’s Long Shadow: The reference to Hawke’s “benders” after captivity underscores that his explosive temper isn’t just about Poppy; it’s rooted in the monstrous acts he was forced to commit. His stomach churns at the memory, showing that he hasn’t fully healed.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 22 is a turning point in Hawke’s internal arc. Until now, his protectiveness toward Poppy could be explained away as duty or strategy. But here, the reaction is visceral and immediate, causing a near meltdown that could have shattered the whole mission. Kieran’s intervention halts a disaster and highlights the precarious balance Hawke must maintain between his personal feelings and his responsibilities as Prince. The chapter also cements the idea that the Maiden is far more than a symbol — she’s resourceful, dangerous, and already altering the dynamics of the kingdom’s secret war.
Study Questions and Answers
-
Why does Hawke abandon his post on the Rise after learning about Jericho’s actions?
Hawke learns that Jericho not only disobeyed a direct order but struck Poppy. His immediate, uncontrollable rage — partly tied to his own past trauma — drives him to seek personal vengeance. He tells Jansen to cover for him and heads to the Three Jackals, ready to murder Jericho on the spot. -
What arguments does Kieran use to prevent Hawke from killing Jericho, and which one finally gets through?
Kieran first appeals to practicality: killing a wolven from an ancient family would alienate the very people risking their lives for the cause. He then reminds Hawke that none of the followers see Poppy as a human being, only as a hated symbol. The argument that finally breaks through, however, is Kieran’s quiet acknowledgment of Hawke’s personal trauma — the acts he was forced to commit while under the Blood Crown’s control. That recognition forces Hawke to distinguish between righteous fury and self-destructive impulse. -
How does the behavior of the absent Maiden in this chapter influence Hawke’s character arc?
The fact that Poppy fought back and wounded Jericho proves she is more than a helpless figurehead. This evidence of her spirit complicates Hawke’s attempt to keep his distance. It intensifies his protective instincts and foreshadows the emotional conflict that will ultimately challenge every aspect of his mission.