Contents
Chapter 36
Overview
At dawn in camp, Galva and Inocenta candidly redefine their bond as enduring love without romance, prioritizing trust over desire. Inocenta reports the Queen visited with Amiel, who intends to return that night to deliver something crucial to Galva. Nouva musters the company, and Galva foreshadows tragedy: Amiel’s next entry will be his last.
Summary
Galva wakes in her camp bedroll to find Inocenta has joined her. They speak openly about jealousy and desire, acknowledging past lovers and the pull between them. Galva explains she values their unbreakable bond more than carnal love and prays it will not sour; Inocenta accepts, and they affirm a steadfast friendship.
They discuss faith and meaning, invoking Sornia and the Bride as they weigh why anything matters amid war. Galva admits newfound peace about death, while Inocenta confesses she had hoped fate might deliver Galva to her but recognizes that expectation as selfish.
Inocenta then reveals the Queen visited with Amiel, Galva’s younger brother, who insisted he must personally give Galva something and was oddly swathed like a desert nomad. He will return that night after duties. Nouva’s call musters the company, and Galva grimly notes the events of the previous day and that Amiel’s forthcoming written entry will be his last.
Who Appears
- GalvaNarrator; chooses enduring friendship with Inocenta over romance; learns the Queen visited with Amiel.
- InocentaConfesses desire and jealousy; accepts a non-romantic bond with Galva; reports the Queen’s visit with Amiel.
- Amiel dom BragaGalva’s brother; arrives with the Queen and vows to return at night to deliver something.
- The Queen of GallardiaVisits camp with Amiel; her presence underscores the importance of what Amiel carries.
- NouvaCommands the camp at dawn, mustering the company with martial authority.