19. The Fruit-Tree of Slaves

Kinch recounts arrival procedures in Tinthrax and the strange, warm steadiness of its weather. He describes the Slavegarden’s sourwood and sour ivy, and the black-marble statue of Thumos, the God Under the Mountain, before he and Galva are herded to market with the terrified giant boy, Birch.

A massive geigon, Azdra-Kopt (Star-Taker), arrives bearing Governor Mirpis Slave-Maker, who addresses the crowd from a high stone. Auctions begin: a sun-burned kynd lad goes to a miner; two captive women are split—one to a farmer for labor, the prettier to a pearl-adorned madam.

Galva, Kinch, and Birch are then stripped and displayed with their gear—Galva’s wondrous shield drawing gasps. Urkus, their handler, extols Galva’s battlefield deeds, igniting fierce bidding from brothel-keepers and fight-traders.

When it becomes clear some bidders want her for a brothel, Galva declares she is a soldier, not a whore, and threatens any who press flesh to her. Urkus beats Galva, then strikes Kinch when Kinch translates her defiance for the crowd.

The crowd responds with Erydon’s gesture of approval, many women nodding at Galva’s stance. Kinch thinks Azdra-Kopt subtly acknowledges her courage, hinting at sympathy from even Erydon’s living symbol. The sales continue under a charged atmosphere, with Galva’s refusal publicly noted.