Chapter 17

Galva arrives at Pol’s villa for a larger, more formal dinner as servants dismantle the house. She notes the cleaned bloodstains and lingering scorch-shadow, then joins a table that includes the Pragmatist, supreme commander of the Western Army, and Segunth-General Samera dom Vinescu. Pol announces Galva’s first kill; the Pragmatist toasts her with cool approval.

Migaéd enters unsteadily with two bravos, bearing their grandfather’s shield. Amiel soon joins, and the public show of the dom Braga siblings’ service is on display. Galva endures the noise and drink, longing for quiet with Inocenta, even as she drinks brandy and bragasc wine.

Dom Gatán, one of Migaéd’s bravos, loudly recounts a story of Migaéd freeing caged dogs from a sellers’ cart, meant to praise Migaéd’s mercy. The Pragmatist interrupts, exposing exaggerations and watching Gatán as if assessing him for use as bait. Galva imagines the Pragmatist as a dogseller of men, recognizing the general’s ruthless utility.

Galva observes furtive glances between Pol and Vinescu, suspecting an affair despite Vinescu’s marriage to her captain of guard, and reflects on love’s unreliability compared to duty and respect, thinking of Inocenta. The Pragmatist departs early, but first examines Migaéd’s heirloom shield, identifying its maker, possible spellwork, and a rumored gambling loss, subtly belittling Migaéd’s valor.

Her parting quip about the shield being safer on a gambler than a warrior stings the table. After the Prima-General leaves, Galva regrets not leaving as well, sensing that remaining will only invite trouble.