41. The Quartered Sun

At the Quartered Sun tavern, Galva hosts Kinch, Norrigal, and Malk. They toast the dead and fallen comrades from the goblin ship, mixing grief with dark humor. The gathering’s purpose emerges when Galva declares her plan: cross Molrova into Oustrim, where giants have overrun the realm, to locate and protect Queen Mireya, the Ispanthian infanta, and see her returned to Ispanthia.

Galva outlines strategy and urgency. First, they will rendezvous with Ispanthia’s army, currently marching to aid Oustrim, and there meet Galva’s former sword instructor, who will join them. Because the shipwreck delayed them, they will leave in the morning, travel hard, and avoid staying two nights anywhere. Galva promises rich rewards and sovereign thanks for those who aid her.

Malk immediately accepts, motivated by profit and buoyed by his newly acquired gear and confidence. Norrigal warns Kinch to speak softly when he jokes about “Kalith,” signaling the political sensitivity of Galva’s claim and mission. Despite Galva’s irritation at Kinch’s teasing, Kinch commits to the endeavor, testing details about the route with a playful mention of Grevitsa.

The meeting closes with reaffirmed camaraderie and a clear course: depart at once, meet the army and Galva’s instructor, then slip with a small, fast-moving group into Oustrim to extract the infanta. The stakes are national, but the method is intimate—few hands, swift steps, and tight discretion.