Chapter 38: The Monk — Summary and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

The chapter opens in the chaos of battle. Aleksander and the Starless are on their knees, incapacitated by the sound of Fjerdan bells—amplified by drugged Squallers—which prevents his nichevo'ya from forming. His spectacles lie broken in the dirt, a symbol of the false prophet role he has been playing. He had promised his followers a sign, but the weapon has left him helpless.

As the Fjerdan line advances, Aleksander sees the emaciated Squallers forced into service, their bodies frail and hollow from parem. He recognizes the horror of Grisha weaponized against Grisha and realizes Fjerda may achieve its dream of conquest. He tries to flee, stumbling through the Starless, but then he feels a hook in his gut: Nikolai's shadow demon has been released. Aleksander understands that this act will cost the king his throne, and he dismisses it as a foolish, heroic gesture.

Yet as the demon begins to break apart under the bells' vibration, Aleksander hears Yuri's voice in his memory, whispering about sacrifice. He considers running, but he also knows that if the Fjerdans win, there will be no one left to witness his resurrection. He decides to act. He sends fragile tendrils of shadow across the field, seeking the demon's power—like calls to like. The shadows cling to the demon, reinforcing its form, and together they smash the bells, silencing the sound. The Ravkan troops rally and rejoin the battle.

Afterward, Brother Chernov asks what happened and what they should do. Aleksander, exhausted, watches the demon return to Nikolai. Then he spots an unknown force approaching from the southeast—more trouble for the king, who has no allies there. The Fjerdans surround Nikolai and his troops, cutting off retreat. Aleksander considers helping again, but instead decides to let the king die. He turns his back on the last Lantsov king, telling the Starless that all they can do is pray.

Key Events

The Fjerdan bells, amplified by drugged Squallers, disable Aleksander's nichevo'ya and the Starless.
Aleksander sees the parem-addicted Squallers and realizes Fjerda has weaponized Grisha against Grisha.
Nikolai releases his shadow demon, which Aleksander recognizes will cost him the throne.
Aleksander initially plans to flee but instead sends shadow tendrils to reinforce the demon.
The reinforced demon destroys the bells, restoring silence and allowing Ravkan troops to resume fighting.
Brother Chernov asks for guidance; Aleksander spots an unknown force approaching from the southeast.
The Fjerdans surround Nikolai, and Aleksander decides not to help him again.
Aleksander turns his back on the king and tells the Starless to pray.

Character Development

Aleksander is the central figure here. His internal conflict between self-preservation and altruism reaches a critical point. He has spent centuries surviving, and his first instinct is to flee. But the sight of the Grisha Squallers—his people—broken by parem stirs something in him. He chooses to help the demon, not out of love for Nikolai, but because he needs an audience for his future resurrection. This is a selfish calculation, yet it results in a genuine act of reinforcement. Later, he makes the opposite choice: he lets Nikolai die, prioritizing his own path to power over the king's life. His decision to turn his back is cold and deliberate, showing that his earlier help was not a change of heart but a strategic move.

Nikolai appears only through his demon and the consequences of his actions. His decision to release the demon is portrayed as a heroic sacrifice—he risks his throne and his life to save his country. Aleksander's commentary reveals that Nikolai is willing to become a martyr, a role that Aleksander both scorns and, in the end, allows him to fulfill.

Brother Chernov serves as the voice of the Starless, repeatedly asking what to do and where the sign is. His desperation highlights the cult's dependence on Aleksander's leadership and their confusion when he offers no miracle.

Yuri is present only in memory, but his whispered word “sacrifice” influences Aleksander's thoughts. Yuri's reverence for the king's selflessness contrasts with Aleksander's pragmatic view, and it subtly challenges Aleksander's self-image as the true divine figure.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Sacrifice and Martyrdom: The chapter contrasts Nikolai's willing sacrifice with Aleksander's refusal to sacrifice himself. Aleksander explicitly thinks that Nikolai will die a martyr, and he decides to let that happen. The theme questions whether self-sacrifice is noble or foolish, and whether it has any real value if no one is left to remember it.

Faith and Prayer: The Starless are waiting for a sign, and Aleksander has been playing the role of a prophet. When the sign fails to come, he improvises, but ultimately he offers only prayer—an empty gesture for a man who does not believe in gods. The chapter ends with a hollow call to prayer, underscoring the theme of false faith and the manipulation of belief.

Like Calls to Like: Aleksander's shadow tendrils seek out the demon because they recognize a similar power. This motif reinforces the idea that dark forces are drawn to each other, and it also suggests a deeper connection between Aleksander and Nikolai—both are shadow-wielders, and their powers can combine.

Grisha Weaponized Against Grisha: The drugged Squallers are a horrifying image of Grisha being used as tools by Fjerda. This theme highlights the dehumanization of Grisha and the lengths to which Fjerda will go to achieve dominance. It also fuels Aleksander's brief moment of empathy.

Divine Sign and Miracles: Aleksander had promised a sign, but the bells prevent it. He later muses that a man can hardly hope for two miracles in one morning, referring to Nikolai's demon and his own potential rescue. The chapter plays with the idea of miracles—whether they are real or manufactured, and whether they can be repeated.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point for Aleksander's character and for the larger conflict. It shows him at his most calculating, choosing to let the king die rather than risk his own survival. This decision sets up the political and personal stakes for the remainder of the novel: Aleksander will now attempt to seize control of Ravka's forces, and Nikolai's fate becomes uncertain. The chapter also deepens the theme of sacrifice, as Aleksander's refusal to sacrifice himself contrasts with Nikolai's willingness to do so. The image of the reinforced demon—a fusion of Aleksander's and Nikolai's powers—foreshadows a possible alliance or confrontation between them. Finally, the chapter ends on a note of ambiguity: the unknown force approaching from the southeast could be an ally or an enemy, and Aleksander's decision to pray is a cynical dismissal of faith, leaving the reader to wonder what he will do next.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Aleksander initially decide to help the demon, and how does this decision reflect his motivations?

Aleksander helps the demon because he realizes that if the Fjerdans win, there will be no one left to witness his resurrection. He needs an audience for his future return, and he also feels a flicker of empathy for the Grisha Squallers. His help is not altruistic; it is a strategic move to preserve his own legend and possibly to salvage the moment. This reflects his overarching motivation of self-preservation, even when he appears to act heroically.

2. What does the chapter suggest about the nature of sacrifice?

The chapter presents sacrifice as a double-edged sword. Nikolai's sacrifice is heroic but may be futile—he risks everything for a country that will likely turn its back on him. Aleksander, on the other hand, refuses to sacrifice himself, viewing it as a waste of his eternal life. The chapter suggests that sacrifice only has meaning if someone survives to remember it, and that martyrdom can be manipulated for political ends.

3. How does the motif of “like calls to like” function in this chapter?

The motif appears when Aleksander sends his shadow tendrils to reinforce Nikolai's demon. The shadows are drawn to the demon because they share a similar nature—both are born from shadow and darkness. This connection allows them to combine and defeat the bells. The motif also hints at a deeper kinship between Aleksander and Nikolai, suggesting that their powers are intertwined and that they may be destined to confront or cooperate with each other in the future.

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