The Final Gambit (The Inheritance Games)
CHAPTER 70
by Barnes, Jennifer LynnThe chapter opens with a tense silence among the Hawthorne brothers as they grapple with the revelations about their grandfather, Tobias Hawthorne. The protagonist reflects on how Hawthorne’s manipulative schemes have shaped their lives, comparing his tactics to “killing twelve birds with one stone.” The brothers realize they’ve been pawns in his grand design, with each warning the protagonist about the family’s destructive nature. Tobias’s apology and cryptic messages hint at a larger, dangerous game involving an enemy, Vincent Blake, who is now targeting the protagonist as the heir to Hawthorne’s fortune.
The brothers dissect their grandfather’s strategy, recognizing that he intentionally removed them from the conflict to protect them. Grayson notes Blake’s formidable influence, while Jameson curses their grandfather’s calculated moves. The protagonist recalls Hawthorne’s letter, which hinted at his guilt and the burdens he didn’t want his family to bear. It becomes clear that Hawthorne left his fortune to the protagonist as a decoy, drawing Blake’s attention away from his grandsons. The protagonist steels themselves for the coming confrontation, recalling Hawthorne’s words about surviving the flames.
Determined to gain leverage, the protagonist calls Vincent Blake directly. Blake taunts them, suggesting he still has spies within Hawthorne House. The protagonist, however, remains composed and offers to negotiate for the truth about Blake’s missing son in exchange for Toby’s safety. Blake’s ominous response hints at darker intentions, leaving the protagonist unsettled. The call ends abruptly, and a courier’s arrival at the gate signals Blake’s next move, heightening the tension.
The chapter underscores the protagonist’s growing resolve as they step into the role Hawthorne designed for them. Facing Blake’s threats and the brothers’ shock, they begin to strategize, recognizing the need for leverage in this high-stakes game. The courier’s arrival foreshadows further escalation, leaving the protagonist and the Hawthorne brothers bracing for the next phase of the conflict. The chapter masterfully blends tension, revelation, and character dynamics, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation.
FAQs
1. What does the metaphor “twelve birds, one stone” represent in this chapter, and how does it relate to Tobias Hawthorne’s strategy?
Answer:
The metaphor “twelve birds, one stone” symbolizes Tobias Hawthorne’s calculated and multi-layered manipulation. It represents his ability to achieve multiple objectives with a single, well-planned action. In this chapter, it becomes clear that Hawthorne orchestrated events so that his enemies—particularly Vincent Blake—would target the protagonist (the narrator) instead of his own family. By leaving his fortune to her, he effectively diverted danger away from his grandsons and daughters, using her as a decoy. This ties into earlier warnings from the Hawthorne brothers about their grandfather’s manipulative nature, emphasizing how he foresaw and controlled their reactions to protect his legacy.2. Analyze the significance of the protagonist’s phone call with Vincent Blake. What does this interaction reveal about their power dynamics?
Answer:
The phone call between the protagonist and Vincent Blake is a pivotal moment that highlights their shifting power struggle. Blake’s deliberate answer on the fifth ring is a power play, asserting dominance, while the protagonist’s controlled tone and directness (“Eve is gone”) show her refusal to be intimidated. Blake’s amusement and twisted response (“What, besides Toby, do I have that you want?”) reveal his confidence and cruelty, but the protagonist’s bluff about William Blake’s remains suggests she’s learning to play his game. The abrupt hang-up and the arrival of a courier afterward hint at Blake’s unpredictability, leaving the protagonist—and reader—in suspense about his next move. This interaction underscores the high-stakes psychological warfare between them.3. How does the chapter develop the theme of legacy, particularly through Tobias Hawthorne’s actions and the Hawthorne brothers’ reactions?
Answer:
The theme of legacy is central to this chapter, as Tobias Hawthorne’s posthumous manipulations force his grandsons to confront their roles in his schemes. His letter to his daughters (“legacies that you should not have to bear”) and his use of the protagonist as a shield reveal a guilt-ridden yet calculating approach to protecting his family. The Hawthorne brothers’ stunned reactions—Jameson’s pained chuckle, Xander’s realization (“We did exactly what he thought we would”), and Grayson’s icy analysis—highlight their mix of resentment and reluctant admiration for their grandfather’s ruthlessness. The chapter suggests that legacy isn’t just wealth or power but also the burdens of manipulation and sacrifice passed down through generations.4. Evaluate the protagonist’s emotional and strategic response to learning Tobias Hawthorne’s true intentions. How does her reaction reflect her growth?
Answer:
The protagonist’s response—stoic resolve (“I forced myself to speak because they couldn’t”) and immediate action (“To make a call”)—shows her transition from pawn to strategic thinker. While she acknowledges the betrayal (“He’d picked his target carefully”), she doesn’t succumb to anger or fear. Instead, she hardens internally, recalling Hawthorne’s words (“You need not burn”) as motivation. Her decision to confront Blake directly demonstrates her growing agency, leveraging the very traps set for her as potential advantages. This reflects her evolution from a passive recipient of Hawthorne’s schemes to an active player, albeit one still navigating the dangerous game he orchestrated.5. What role does silence play in this chapter, both literally and metaphorically?
Answer:
Silence operates on multiple levels: literally, as the stunned quiet of the Hawthorne brothers (“Silence had never sounded this loud”), and metaphorically, as the unspoken truths and manipulations coming to light. The brothers’ paralysis contrasts with Xander’s sudden movement and Nash’s casual danger, emphasizing how silence can precede revelation or violence. The protagonist’s internal monologue (“The truth had been there… for months”) underscores how silence harbors hidden meanings. Even Blake’s abrupt hang-up weaponizes silence, leaving uncertainty. The chapter uses silence to amplify tension, highlight unspoken legacies, and frame the protagonist’s resolve as she breaks it to take control.
Quotes
1. “Twelve birds, one stone. I’d been warned. From the moment I’d received a ring holding a hundred keys—from before that, even—I’d been warned by each of the Hawthorne brothers in turn.”
This quote encapsulates the central revelation of the chapter—that Tobias Hawthorne orchestrated everything as part of an elaborate plan. The “twelve birds, one stone” metaphor represents the calculated nature of his manipulations and sets up the chapter’s tension.
2. “Tobias Hawthorne had left me his fortune so that if and when his enemies descended after his death, they would descend on me. He’d picked his target carefully, placed me as a cog in a complicated machine.”
This is the key insight about the protagonist’s role in Hawthorne’s grand scheme. It reveals the cold calculation behind his apparent generosity and establishes the protagonist’s realization of being used as a decoy.
3. “If you are listening to this, Blake is coming. He will box you in. He will hold you down. He will have no mercy.”
This ominous warning represents the chapter’s turning point, transitioning from realization to action. It shows Hawthorne’s foresight about the coming conflict while emphasizing the grave danger Vincent Blake poses.
4. “You may be tested by the flames, but you need not burn.”
This paradoxical statement captures the chapter’s emotional core—the protagonist’s conflicted feelings about Hawthorne. Despite his manipulations, there’s a sense that he believed in her resilience, which adds complexity to their relationship.
5. “What, besides Toby, will you give me if I deliver what you want?… What, besides Toby, do I have that you want? I am so very glad you asked.”
This exchange represents the chapter’s climactic power struggle. The protagonist attempts to negotiate with Blake, but his ominous response suggests he has additional leverage, setting up the next phase of conflict.