The Devils Chapter 27: Greed – 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

Princess Alex practices writing “The Empress of Troy” and feels a rare pride in Brother Diaz’s approval. On deck, Jakob describes the lawless, plague-ravaged coast of what was once Troy. Below, Balthazar wallows in self-pity after his failed binding attempt; Baptiste tends his wound and scolds his self-absorption. Their conversation is interrupted by a massive ballista bolt through the ceiling. A Trojan war galley under Duke Constans, Eudoxia’s third son, rams their ship. Constans demands Alex, brandishing a copy of the papal bull that was supposed to remain secret until Troy. He learns his brother Marcian is dead and reacts with amusement. Despite being outnumbered and their vessel holed, Jakob prepares to fight. The chapter closes as a scaly, gilled sea-woman slithers over the rail.

Key Events

• Alex writes the title “The Empress of Troy” and seeks Diaz’s validation.
• Jakob outlines the shifting, bloody history of the coastline they are passing.
• Balthazar lies in sick despondency; Baptiste changes his bandage and tells a story about a sorcerer who froze and smashed his hand.
• A Trojan galley fires a ballista bolt that crashes through the deck near Diaz.
• Duke Constans appears, identifies Alex, and demands her surrender using the papal bull.
• Constans learns of Marcian’s death and expresses satisfied surprise.
• The crew prepares smoke and defenses; Jakob readies to fight against overwhelming odds.
• A monstrous sea-creature with silvery scales and gills climbs aboard the ship.

Character Development

• Alex: Her growing confidence in her writing and combat skills is abruptly undercut by Constans’s ambush, revealing the fragility of her newfound hope.
• Balthazar: Begins a reluctant shift from self-pity to grudging appreciation of Baptiste. Her pragmatic advice (“let things happen”) challenges his magician’s need for control.
• Baptiste: Displays competence and a no-nonsense attitude. Her story reinforces a theme of acceptance over futile struggle.
• Jakob: Flashbacks to previous sea battles reveal deep weariness, yet he remains committed to his oaths and to fighting, even in a hopeless situation.
• Constans: Introduced as a flamboyant, cunning adversary. His amusement at Marcian’s death underscores the brutal family rivalry for the Trojan throne.
• Vigga, Rikard, Diaz: Maintain their established roles: Vigga’s crude humor, Rikard’s polished manipulation, Diaz’s terrified prayer.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

• Greed for power and recognition: Alex dreams of being Empress; Constans pursues the papal bull to claim the throne; Balthazar’s desire to break the binding mirrors his hunger for autonomy.
• Chaos and lawlessness: The coast is described as splintered, blasted by war and plague, reflecting the political disorder that the group must navigate.
• The sea as a locus of danger: The open water, which earlier seemed liberating, becomes a trap. The ambush underscores that no place is safe.
• The binding as constraint and duty: Jakob’s oaths and the magical bindings of the group force them to fight rather than flee.
• The monstrous and unknown: The gilled sea-creature at the chapter’s end introduces a supernatural threat that upends expectations of a conventional naval battle.

Why This Chapter Matters

“Greed” escalates the external conflict by revealing that the papal bull has been leaked, putting multiple rivals on the group’s trail. Duke Constans joins the ranks of antagonists, adding a personal, familial dimension to Alex’s quest. The chapter deepens Balthazar’s character through his interaction with Baptiste, hinting at his potential for growth or further failure. The ambush at sea raises the stakes and forces the characters into a fight they cannot win cleanly. The closing image of the sea-monster signals that the story is moving into more overtly fantastical territory, blending political intrigue with horror.

Study Questions

1. How does Alex’s confidence shift throughout the chapter, and what does it reveal about her character?
   Alex begins the chapter proud of her accomplishments—writing, punching Balthazar, learning courtly manners. Constans’s arrival shatters that confidence, showing she is still a frightened young woman. Her rapid swing between hope and terror illustrates her inexperience and the high personal cost of the claim to Troy.

2. What does Baptiste’s story about the sorcerer who smashed his hand teach about her worldview?
   Baptiste criticizes magical types for trying to force outcomes through willpower. She values acceptance and flexibility, arguing that “letting things happen” can be wiser than violent resistance. Her advice directly challenges Balthazar’s ego and hints that his failure stems from arrogance.

3. Why might Abercrombie introduce the sea-creature at the chapter’s end? What effect does it have on the tone?
   The creature adds unexpected horror and supernatural danger to an already tense standoff. It surprises both characters and readers, disrupting expectations of a conventional sea battle. The image suggests that Constans commands not only soldiers but monstrous allies, amplifying the sense of helplessness and raising the stakes for the coming conflict.

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