Contents
24. The Whale
Overview
Kinch and Galva are forced into the lead whaleboat, where Malk Na Brannyck commands the harpooners against a red whale. A magicker’s drowse keeps the whale from diving, triggering a brutal close fight. The second boat capsizes, a Molrovan harpooner is killed, and the whale finally dies, underscoring the voyage’s lethal stakes.
Summary
Kinch and Galva take oars in the first of two boats, with Malk Na Brannyck leading three harpooners in the bow. Malk berates the crew’s pace as they close on a red whale. Kinch struggles with blistered hands and trades a knowing look with Galva while trying to ignore Malk’s goading.
As they near, the whale raises its fluke in warning. Kinch, unnerved by the animal’s intelligent eye, mutters a risky prayer to Foxfoot and hopes not to offend Mithrenor. A minor Magickers Guild oarman casts a drowse, and the whale’s eye closes, preventing a dive and fixing the fight at close quarters.
Malk hurls the first harpoon, aiming for the heart, but the whale does not die quickly. Confusion erupts: oars tangle, the boat spins, Kinch takes a head knock, and the enraged whale attacks with deadly force. It capsizes the second boat, then bites a Molrovan harpooner from Kinch’s boat, crushing her legs before she disappears beneath the bloodied water.
After its violent thrashing, the whale’s strength fails. It goes slack and drifts, the fight over. The crew’s victory is marked by loss and the stark reality of the hunt’s danger.
Who Appears
- KinchNarrator; rows in the lead boat, prays to Foxfoot, witnesses the brutal whale fight and a crewmate’s death.
- Malk Na BrannyckColdfoot guard leading the harpooners; throws the first stroke and drives the attack on the red whale.
- GalvaRows opposite Kinch in the lead boat; shares silent understanding amid Malk’s taunts during the hunt.
- Magicker oarmanMinor Guild mage who casts a drowse cantrip on the whale, preventing its dive and forcing a close fight.
- Molrovan harpooner (unnamed)Harpooner taken by the whale; legs crushed and drowned during the attack.
- Red whaleMassive prey; drowsed, fights fiercely, capsizes the second boat, kills a harpooner, then dies.