Chapter 70: Another Man's Poison – 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
Jakob of Thorn is hauled aboard a fishing boat after nearly drowning in the sea, naked and badly wounded. The fishermen tell him that Empress Alexia now rules Troy. He drags himself through the Hanging Gardens and finds Baron Rikard, who has aged drastically since they last met. Rikard tells Jakob that Baptiste is dead—she “stuck her neck out” according to Brother Diaz. Jakob mourns her privately, then borrows a cane and hobbles to the Basilica of the Angelic Visitation.
Inside, he meets Alexia, who is bruised from recent battle. She shows him the new tomb for Baptiste beside the shrine of the Second Crusade. Alexia presents Jakob with a legendary sword that belonged to John of Antioch, Marshal of Troy, and offers him command of a new crusade against the elves. Jakob reflects on the many swords he has carried and the corruption that came with each cause he served. He declines, explaining that his oath to the Pope binds him and that he has become a devil despite good intentions. Alexia gives him a small icon of Saint Stephen, patron of desperate warriors. Jakob touches Baptiste’s tomb, tells Alexia he hopes evil men can still do good, and limps away.
Key Events
- Jakob is rescued by fishermen and learns Empress Alexia holds Troy.
- He reunites with a physically broken Baron Rikard, who reveals Baptiste’s death.
- Jakob visits the Basilica and sees Baptiste’s new tomb.
- Alexia offers Jakob the sword of John of Antioch and a generalship for the next crusade.
- Jakob refuses, citing his oath and his history of turning good causes into violence.
- Alexia gives him a holy icon of Saint Stephen.
- Jakob pays his respects at Baptiste’s grave and departs.
Character Development
Jakob of Thorn – Demoralised by yet another survival, Jakob shows both exhaustion and moral clarity. He recognises that he has become a devil despite his many crusades, and chooses honour over glory by refusing Alexia’s offer. His grief for Baptiste is raw, revealing a rare emotional attachment.
Empress Alexia – Grown from the waif of earlier chapters, Alexia is now a practical ruler. She offers Jakob a position of immense power with subtle flattery, but accepts his refusal without anger. Her gift of the icon shows she understands Jakob’s spiritual need.
Baron Rikard – Reduced to a withered shell, Rikard’s humour masks the cost of his long life. His casual mention of Baptiste’s death underscores how violence devours even the most vibrant characters.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Resurrection and the Cost of Living – Jakob’s rescue from the sea echoes a rebirth, but he feels only “the slightest sting of disappointment” at waking. Survival is not a blessing but a burden.
Oath and Temptation – John of Antioch’s sword represents both heroic legacy and the trap of power. Jakob’s refusal to take it up is the chapter’s moral centre; he stays loyal to his oath to the Pope rather than pursue a new glorious war.
Evil Men Doing Good – Alexia asks whether enough good deeds can turn a bad man good. Jakob replies “Maybe one day,” but the question hangs unanswered. The chapter suggests that intention alone does not wash away past sins.
Time and Decay – Baron Rikard’s sudden ageing and Jakob’s own broken body illustrate that time claims everyone, regardless of former greatness.
Icons and Faith – Saint Stephen’s icon, a small object from a vast basilica, becomes a personal talisman of hope and desperate protection for Jakob.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a hinge point in Jakob’s arc. He survives drowning but chooses not to seize a new purpose. His refusal of Alexia’s command confirms his oath to the Pope as his guiding star, even as he doubts his own capacity for goodness. Baptiste’s death removes one of the few characters who lightened the story, deepening the novel’s sombre tone. Alexia’s offer and gift show her maturation as a leader, but also her isolation. The chapter sets up a decisive separation between Jakob and the Troy court, pointing toward a different, more solitary path for the protagonist.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Jakob refuse Alexia’s offer of the sword and the generalship?
Jakob refuses because his oath to serve the Pope is absolute, and because he has seen how every just cause he has embraced eventually turned him into a devil. He also knows that John of Antioch, the sword’s former owner, was a hero who became a bloodthirsty traitor.
2. What does Alexia hope to achieve by giving Jakob the icon of Saint Stephen?
Alexia wants Jakob to leave with more than a refusal: she offers a tangible symbol of protection and faith. Saint Stephen is the patron of desperate warriors, and the icon is meant to remind Jakob that even the damned can be safeguarded.
3. How does Baptiste’s death affect Jakob’s outlook in this chapter?
Baptiste’s death hits Jakob hard because she always seemed so alive. It reinforces his sense of guilt (he thinks it should have been him) and resignation. The loss deepens his belief that death follows him and that he is unworthy of the heroes’ tomb beside her.