Chapter 68: Leith Risks Everything to Save Gunther
Spoiler Warning: This page contains detailed summary and analysis of Chapter 68 of Cecy Robson's Bloodguard. If you haven't read this chapter, proceed with caution.
Summary
Leith finds the boy Gunther hiding inside a crate. Gunther is emaciated, his foot injured, and he breaks down crying, clinging to Leith while calling him “bluh guar” — bloodguard. Leith comforts him, painfully aware that this child could have been Dahlia or Rose, and that the world shows no mercy. An explosion from Soro’s actions sends the vampire colt racing past with the dead troll bear impaled on her horn, while the arena’s saw blades buzz in pursuit. Leith knows they must move before they are trapped or shred. He sternly tells Gunther he cannot hang on him, then praises the boy’s courage when Gunther shows him a bent nail and vows to help and protect others. Leith instructs Gunther to get onto a crate where their allies hide.
The pair creep out while the colt feasts on the bear. Gunther’s hobbled gait creates a dragging sound in the sand, drawing the colt’s attention. With no time left, Leith throws Gunther over his shoulder and sprints toward the zigzagging saws. He leaps over the first set, but his burden throws off his balance. He hurls Gunther to safety on his right, then stumbles left. Three saw blades carve into him: one slices through his boot and instep, a second scrapes the skin off his upper arm, and the third cuts deep into his shoulder blade as he rolls. Agony blinds him, but the voice of Maeve echoes in his head, pleading for him to stand and fight. When Maeve screams in his mind, Leith scrambles to his feet, retrieves his axe, and pushes toward the mangled crate, determined to open it and unleash havoc. With Gunther safe and the others somewhere in the chaos, Leith positions himself before the door, ignoring his wounds. Pega’s warning cuts through the roar: the colt is bearing down on him. Leith resolves to open this last crate before confronting the creature.
Key Events
- Leith discovers Gunther weeping inside a crate and calls him “blood guar” in response.
- Leith reflects on the world’s cruelty and his failed family, doubling his resolve to save Gunther.
- The vampire colt drags the bear’s corpse on her horn and outpaces the saws.
- Leith instructs Gunther to stay quiet, follow orders, and join the others on the crate.
- Gunther reveals a bent nail and declares his intent to help and protect.
- As they exit the crate, Gunther’s dragging foot alerts the colt.
- Leith carries Gunther and leaps over the saws, but his balance fails; he throws Gunther clear.
- Three saw blades wound Leith’s foot, arm, and shoulder blade, leaving him in agony.
- Maeve’s voice—first pleading, then screaming—jolts Leith to his feet.
- Leith retrieves his axe and heads for the last unbroken crate, vowing to cause chaos.
- Pega warns that the colt is charging, but Leith presses on to open the crate.
Character Development
- Leith: His protective instincts and deep compassion surface as he shields Gunther. Despite his own broken rib and injuries, he prioritizes the boy’s survival, showing the essence of a bloodguard. His determination is rekindled by Maeve’s voice, and he transcends physical agony through sheer will. This chapter solidifies his self-sacrificial nature and his refusal to yield.
- Gunther: The boy is a shattered soul with a spark of valor. He calls Leith “bloodguard,” a title that resonates with him, and insists on fighting with a simple nail. His trust in Leith and his desire to protect others reveal a child molded by cruelty yet still capable of courage.
- Maeve: Though absent, her presence is felt through Leith’s hallucinations or memories. Her voice becomes a lifeline, transforming from a plea to a scream that forces Leith back into action, underscoring her emotional hold on him.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Bloodguard Identity: Gunther’s repetition of “bluh guar” anchors Leith’s role as a protector, linking his mission to a title charged with meaning. Leith’s refusal to accept the label outright (“Not yet”) hints at his own unfulfilled sense of purpose.
- The Cruelty of the Arena World: The carnivorous colt, the saws, and the indifferent crowd mirror a heartless society where even children are reduced to prey.
- Sacrifice and Physical Cost: Leith’s mangled foot and torn flesh become tangible markers of his commitment to saving another. The saws function as an instrument of near-death and a test of endurance.
- Voice as Motivation: Maeve’s voice echoing in Leith’s mind symbolizes love and the thing worth fighting for, pushing him beyond his limits.
- Flame and Collapsing Space: The burning crates and shrinking safe zone heighten the sense of entrapment and imminent finality.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 68 raises the stakes to a fever pitch. Leith’s rescue of Gunther demonstrates the book’s central allegory of guardianship amid barbarism. The relentless wounds and the continued threat of the colt bring Leith to his lowest physical point, yet his determination to open the final crate hints at a climactic reversal. This chapter weaves together the fates of the surviving characters, positioning Gunther as a new charge and testing Leith’s limits. It also reinforces Maeve’s role as a motivating force, keeping her connected to Leith’s will to live. The chapter ends on a precipice, pushing the narrative toward the arena’s final confrontation.
Study Questions and Answers
-
How does Gunther’s identification of Leith as “bloodguard” influence the action in this chapter?
Gunther’s cry of “bluh guar” reveals that he recognizes Leith’s role and trusts him completely. For Leith, it becomes a silent vow. He responds by physically shielding the boy, instructing him, and later hurling him out of harm’s way at great personal cost. The label reinforces Leith’s duty and hints at a deeper bond between them beyond mere survival. -
What does the sequence of saw injuries reveal about Leith’s character?
Leith’s willingness to absorb three brutal cuts to save Gunther illustrates his selflessness and his instinctive prioritization of others’ lives. Even in agony, he acts—throwing the boy clear, then later rising because of Maeve’s voice. The injuries demonstrate that his body is failing, yet his resolve remains unbroken, emphasizing his identity as a guardian forged in suffering. -
Why is Maeve’s voice critical at the moment of Leith’s collapse?
Maeve’s voice, first pleading, then screaming, functions as both a haunting reminder of love and a trigger for survival. When the saws have rendered him nearly immobile, her mental cry bypasses his physical limits, forcing him to fight on. It shows that Leith’s motivation is not just survival but a deep emotional tether, making his eventual actions feel inevitable rather than improbable.