Chapter 28 — Gideon: Summary, Analysis, and Key Moments
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This page covers Chapter 28, titled “Gideon.”
It focuses on a tense confrontation between Gideon and the spy William, revealing Gideon's true plan and the high stakes of his deception.
The chapter is a turning point in the narrative, shifting the focus from Rune's immediate survival to a larger, more dangerous scheme involving Cressida and the Roseblood heir.
Below, you'll find a complete summary, key events, character analysis, thematic discussion, and study questions to deepen your understanding of this pivotal moment.
All analysis is based on the provided chapter evidence and the broader story outline.
Let's dive in.
Summary
The chapter opens with Gideon holding William at gunpoint, his disgust for the spy barely contained.
William, who had been sent by Harrow to kill Rune, is caught off guard.
Gideon orders him to lower his hands and then explains why he hasn't followed his original orders.
He reveals that killing Rune would not stop the war—Cressida intends to raise her dead sisters, and Soren will provide an army regardless.
Gideon's new plan is to use Rune as a bargaining chip, delivering her to the New Republic to set a trap for Cressida and the long-lost Roseblood heir.
He needs William to convince Harrow to trust him, giving him one week to complete the mission.
If he fails, Harrow can kill him.
Gideon also demands that William keep hunting hounds away from the ship before they disembark the next day, so Rune can be moved safely.
William agrees to report back to Harrow, but not without issuing a warning: sympathizing with witches now carries a death sentence, and if Gideon fails, William will come for Rune himself.
Gideon resists the urge to shoot him, letting William leave.
The chapter ends with Gideon alone, his plan set in motion but his position precarious.
Key Events
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Gideon captures William and forces him to listen, overriding his kill order.
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Gideon explains that killing Rune is pointless because Cressida will resurrect her sisters and Soren will still provide an army.
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Gideon reveals his new plan: deliver Rune to the New Republic as a bargaining chip to trap Cressida and the Roseblood heir.
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Gideon asks William to convince Harrow to trust him, offering a one-week deadline and a promise of promotion if he succeeds.
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Gideon orders William to keep hunting hounds away from the ship before they disembark.
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William agrees to report back but warns Gideon about the death penalty for sympathizing with witches.
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William threatens to come for Rune if Gideon fails, and Gideon barely restrains himself from shooting him.
Character Development
Gideon is the central focus here.
His internal conflict is palpable: he wants to kill William for how he treated Rune, but he needs him alive to execute his plan.
This shows Gideon's pragmatism overriding his personal anger.
His decision to betray Rune—or at least appear to—is a calculated move, but the chapter hints at his true feelings.
He calls Rune “my little Moth” in his thoughts, and his restraint in not shooting William suggests he's not as cold as he pretends.
Gideon's plan is risky and requires trust he hasn't earned, but he's willing to stake his life on it.
His character arc here is about sacrifice and the lengths he'll go to protect Rune, even if it means deceiving everyone.
William serves as a foil.
He's a loyal spy, but his loyalty is to the Republic, not to any person.
He's suspicious of Gideon's motives and quick to threaten consequences.
His warning about the death sentence for sympathizers underscores the danger Gideon is in.
William's character is defined by duty and self-preservation, making him a useful tool but not a trustworthy ally.
Rune is absent from the scene but remains the emotional center.
Gideon's plan revolves around her, and William's threat to “come for” her shows how vulnerable she is.
Her off-page presence drives Gideon's actions, highlighting her importance to the plot.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Betrayal and Deception are the dominant themes.
Gideon is deceiving everyone—William, Harrow, and even Rune, who thinks he's her husband.
His plan to use her as a bargaining chip is a betrayal of trust, but it's also a deception meant to save her in the long run.
The chapter explores how lies can be both destructive and protective.
Loyalty vs. Duty is another key theme.
William is loyal to the Republic, but his duty conflicts with Gideon's plan.
Gideon, meanwhile, is loyal to Rune, but his duty to stop Cressida forces him to betray her.
The tension between personal loyalty and larger obligations drives the conflict.
Survival is at stake.
Gideon is running out of chances, and William reminds him of the death penalty for sympathizing with witches.
The threat of execution looms over every decision.
Trust is a fragile commodity.
Gideon asks William to convince Harrow to trust him, but trust is in short supply.
The chapter shows how trust must be earned, and how easily it can be broken.
The Bargaining Chip is a symbol of Rune's commodification.
She's reduced to a tool in Gideon's plan, which raises questions about agency and consent.
Resurrection is mentioned as Cressida's goal, adding a supernatural element to the war.
This motif ties to the larger theme of death and rebirth, and the lengths people will go to reverse loss.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in the narrative.
It reveals Gideon's true plan, shifting the story from a simple rescue mission to a complex trap.
The stakes are raised: Gideon has one week to deliver Rune and kill the Roseblood heir, or he'll be killed himself.
The chapter also deepens the conflict with Cressida, introducing her resurrection plot as a major threat.
Gideon's moral ambiguity is highlighted, making him a more complex protagonist.
The chapter sets up the next phase of the story, where Gideon must navigate between his loyalty to Rune and his duty to stop Cressida.
It also introduces the danger of witch hunters and the consequences of sympathizing with witches, adding to the world's tension.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Gideon decide not to kill Rune, and what is his new plan?
Gideon realizes that killing Rune won't stop the war because Cressida plans to raise her sisters from the dead, and Soren will provide an army regardless.
Instead, he plans to deliver Rune to the New Republic as a bargaining chip to trap Cressida and the Roseblood heir.
This plan requires Rune to be alive, so he must protect her while appearing to betray her.
2. What does William's warning about sympathizing with witches reveal about the political climate?
William's warning shows that the New Republic has become more ruthless.
Previously, sympathizers were branded with a letter and sent away, but now they are executed.
This reflects the escalating fear of witchcraft and the desperation of the authorities, making Gideon's position even more dangerous.
3. How does Gideon's interaction with William demonstrate his internal conflict?
Gideon wants to kill William for how he treated Rune, but he needs him alive to carry out his plan.
He resists the urge to shoot him, showing that his pragmatism overrides his personal anger.
This conflict reveals Gideon's struggle between his emotions and his duty, and it hints at his deeper feelings for Rune.
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