Contents
Chapter 38
Overview
Migaéd arrives with royal chainsmen to search Galva’s camp for the stolen shield and provokes a confrontation. When chainsmen seize Galva, Bellu defends her and is killed. The search finds nothing, and Migaéd departs without meeting Galva’s eyes. Bellu’s death hardens Galva’s hatred and raises the personal stakes.
Summary
In the afternoon, Migaéd arrives at the encampment with royal chainsmen, claiming authority to question Galva about the stolen shield. Galva is training Dalgatha and Bellu when Lanzamachur Nouva warns Migaéd not to approach the corvids with hostility. Migaéd presses on, accuses Galva and implies Amiel’s guilt, then orders a campwide search with rewards.
As a chainsman and chainsdam seize Galva, Dalgatha cries out and Bellu breaks free to shield her. Bellu pecks one chainsman and drives the other back, attempting only to correct, not maim. Migaéd orders Bellu killed; the chainsmen, armed and trained, cut Bellu down while restraining Galva. The other birds are secured; the shield is not found.
Migaéd leaves without further questioning, unable to meet Galva’s gaze, offering only a dismissive gesture. Galva kneels by Bellu, closing his beak and eyes, and is flooded with grief and rage. She reflects on the sanctity of kith, wrestles with her anger, and takes a chest feather as a keepsake, vowing to carry it—and Bellu’s memory—always.
Who Appears
- Galva dom BragaNarrator; confronted by Migaéd’s search; seized by chainsmen; witnesses Bellu’s killing; grieves and claims a feather.
- Migaéd dom BragaSixt-general; arrives with chainsmen, accuses Galva, orders camp search, commands Bellu’s killing, then departs.
- BelluGalva’s corvid; defends her when chainsmen grab her; killed on Migaéd’s order.
- InocentaGalva’s comrade; leads Dalgatha away from danger and steers others from Galva’s grief.
- Lanzamachur NouvaUnit leader; warns Migaéd about provoking the corvids; orders dams to secure their birds.
- DalgathaGalva’s other corvid; training cleverly; is led away safely during the incident.
- Royal chainsmenKing’s enforcers accompanying Migaéd; seize Galva, kill Bellu, and search the camp fruitlessly.