Contents
Chapter 14
Overview
In Espalle’s jubilant aftermath, Galva surveys the wreck of the Lament, noting ghalls among the dead and privately crediting Fulvir for its destruction. She refuses rubble duty, receives Pol’s dinner invitation, and instead visits Sami’s treehouse family with Inocenta and Alisenne, sharing food and warnings. Galva equips the youths with silver as they resolve to follow the army toward threatened Goltay, sharpening stakes for civilians amid the campaign’s next march.
Summary
With survivors ashore, the army prepares to leave Espalle for besieged Goltay. Crowds swarm the wreck of the Lament of Avraparthi. Galva observes ghalls—massive, pale descendants of human captives—floating among the dead and infers their role as surge rowers. Pyres burn corpses and torn sail, and the Pragmatist declares a morale-boosting jubilee.
Though official praise credits a Holtish captain’s strike, Galva privately concludes Fulvir’s storm alone destroyed the juggernaut. Amid the looting, Inocenta pockets a brass lizard from the wreck, an emblem Galva later recognizes as Avraparthi’s legacy. Orders exempt Galva’s lanza from rubble-clearing to preserve the corvid handlers.
A messenger delivers Pol’s dinner invitation for a reunion with Migi and Amiel. Determined to keep a promise first, Galva buys costly mutton to dine with the boy Sambard’s family. Inocenta warns of a trap and insists on coming; Alisenne joins as translator. Armed and with six corvids, they trek past a ruined Keshite bridge into the woods.
They reach a cleverly built treehouse where Sami, his sister Larmette, and other orphans live. Larmette cooks a humble feast from mutton, foraged garlic, carrots, and snails. Galva gifts wine and a bright cloth, which moves Larmette to tears. Introducing the corvids heartens the children, especially a silent girl who finally smiles.
Galva warns the youths about dangers in an army’s wake and urges honest work if they follow. Larmette, resolved to trail the host, accepts silver and counsel. As Galva, Inocenta, and Alisenne depart with their birds, they head back toward Espalle, with trouble foreshadowed before their return.
Who Appears
- Galva dom BragaNarrator; surveys the wreck, credits Fulvir, refuses rubble duty, visits Sami’s treehouse family, gives counsel and silver.
- InocentaGalva’s close ally; wary of danger, accompanies to the woods, manages corvids, keeps a brass lizard from the wreck.
- AlisenneArcher and translator; joins the visit, interprets Gallard speech, helps present the corvids to the children.
- Sambard (Sami)Espalle boy; invites Galva to dine in their treehouse refuge, plans to follow the army.
- LarmetteSami’s sister; skilled builder and cook, receives Galva’s cloth and silver, intends to trail the host for safety.
- FulvirMolrovan wizard; Galva believes his storm alone destroyed the Lament of Avraparthi.
- Pol dom BragaGalva’s brother; invites her to a villa dinner as the army readies to march.
- NouvaCommander who exempts the corvid handlers from rubble work to preserve combat readiness.
- The PragmatistLeader who declares a jubilee and pyres to lift the army’s morale.
- Dam WoodshireHoltish captain officially credited for weakening the Lament; Galva disputes the claim.