43. The Ispanthian Army

Leaving Edth on donkeys, Kinch, Galva, Norrigal, and Malk endure a cold trek along the Kesh White Road into the Shorn Hills, hunting a goat and subsisting on green apples. Near dusk on the sixth day, they spot smoke and Ispanthian bull banners by the Vornd River at the Beaten Man tor.

Scouts recognize Galva’s seal and escort the group to the command tent. Count Marevan da Codorezh en Nadan, general of the Fourth Wing, receives them with quail and wine. He and Galva speak formally in Ispanthian of looming war in the mountains and giants, signaling political and military stakes.

Galva then brings them to her swordmaster, Nadalle Seri-Orbez (Yorbez), a scarred, blunt veteran who befriends the party with taback and pear liquor. After sending Malk outside, Yorbez keeps Kinch and Norrigal for confidences, acknowledging Kinch’s Taker ties but trusting him due to his bond with Norrigal.

Galva and Yorbez reveal their plan: travel to Grevitsa to meet a former Taker who holds a necessary map, then continue to the Bittern Mountains to consult magickers loyal to the queen, not the Guild—steps in an open conspiracy against King Kalith.

They detail Kalith’s brutal court: knife-boy bodyguards, a brassworm used to torture servants, assassin and wizard patronage, and preserved victims. Kinch reflects on Infanta Mireya’s grim upbringing under such an uncle and falls into dark dreams, the rebellion now personal and urgent.