Chapter 23

The goblin host executes an orderly retreat from Carrasque while harrying the Ispanthian probe with pits and crossbow poison. Nouva sights a forest approach, and the Raven Knights slip through the trees to flank the rear of the withdrawing line.

They stumble on a clearing of butchered kynd strung from branches, which enflames the lanza’s fury. Goblin soldiers form before cage-carts of captives and unleash heavy quarrels; several dams die before Galva and the birds crash into a wedge of hooked spears. Galva fights through fear by channeling anger, maims and kills in close combat, and watches Perla Barescu fall.

As Nouva reforms the stalled charge, Inocenta welcomes a possible death and sparks a collective war-cry. The corvids answer with an unknown, piercing scream that shocks many goblins into panic or stupor, collapsing crossbow fire and turning the line. The lanza advances methodically, executing frozen biters and scattering the rest.

At the carts, Galva tries to free the captives, but Inocenta checks her. The prisoners—women, children, and a few men—have been “dumbed” by goblin mushrooms, reduced to livestock who low for their masters. The doors are opened in case of exceptions, but none retain wits.

The lanza unhitches the dray boars, secures their six dead to the animals, and withdraws through the forest. Vega Charnat lies among the fallen; her corvid Hammer follows her body, bewildered. Galva looks back at the passive, ruined captives and concludes they should have been killed.