Galt

*You are right here in your story. Don't skip ahead.*
Massie Burnson, *The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*, p. 32
**WARNING: SPOILERS FOR *PRINCE LANDER & THE DRAGON WAR* ARE AHEAD; CAUTION IS ADVISED.**

## Galt

Galt, as depicted by Zach Franzen in The Black Star of Kingston.

## Biographical information

### Family

Unnamed wife
Several unnamed children, including three sons

## Book information

### Appears

• *The Green Ember* (prologue)
• *The Black Star of Kingston*
• *The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*
• *Prince Lander & the Dragon War*

### Mentioned

*Ember's End*

**Galt**: We stayed. Together...You were always faithful, Fleck. You never wavered.

**Fleck**: Oh, I've wavered many times. But I've had a good life so far. My story isn't over yet. Still, I think I like your story better--there's a lot more drama.

—*Prince Lander & the Dragon War*, p. 309-310 |  | ”

**Galt** was a close friend of Fleck Blackstar's and a member of Blackstar Company. He founded the community of rabbits known as Terralains.

## Biography

### *The Black Star of Kingston*

Born the son of a miner on Golden Coast, Fleck was among the Trekkers who fled to Natalia, with his father presumably dying either during the invasion or the defense led by King Gerrard. Unlike his friend Fleck, Galt seemed well-adjusted to life in Natalia, feeling that their fathers' sacrifice was best honored with being carefree and happy.

However, when Fleck was made a captain and named head of the new Black Star Company of miners, Galt willingly joined the group as a lieutenant. He took part in the excavation of Burnley's Colliery, but his anger towards Gavin over the accidental injury of Fleck led to the younger rabbit fleeing into the Low Bleaks.

Galt took over training of Black Star Company while Fleck was injured, and did not continue the practice of reciting their oath. His and Fleck's relationship was strained following the former's recovery, and he later tried to dissuade Fleck from leading a search for Gavin. The two eventually began to reconcile, but during the Battle of Ayman Lake the pair were carried away from *Natalia* and ended up on shore. Galt refused Fleck's pleas for them to return and aid King Whitson Mariner, and fled into the surrounding woods.

### *The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*

Galt made his way along a river away from Ayman Lake, passing the future site of Halfway Harbor and eventually making a raft that he used to float to an island. Exhausted and starving, Galt ate some unfamiliar yellow berries and fell into a fevered dream, in which he saw himself traveling into Natalia's southwest.

After recovering, Galt built himself a shelter and began living off the land, only to discover that he had hostile neighbors in the form of the Dragons. Galt took to wearing a mask to keep himself hidden, and set traps to keep himself safe.

Galt eventually witnessed the forging of an alliance between the dragons and renegade rabbits under Lord Grimble. His old comrade Massie Burnson and Prince Lander later fell into one of his traps, and Galt was reluctant to free them due to his being seen as a traitor. However, the pair convinced him to help them based on the capture of Queen Lillie, as well as Lander's promise that he would pardon or seek pardon for Galt's offenses. To that end, Lander gave Galt the Green Ember and sent him to inform King Whitson of what was happening.

Galt fulfilled his errand and received a full pardon from Whitson; however, he refused the invitation to rejoin the Trekkers. Galt instead expressed the desire to follow his dream, which he believed would lead him to a community of wild rabbits whom he would help to build a society based on the ideal of equality.

Despite this, he came to the aid of Massie and Lander in helping Queen Lillie escape her captors, and with them managed to board *Steadfast*. In the ensuing battle between that ship and *Desolation*, he came to Whitson's aid in his duel with Captain Grimble, surrounding the renegade alongside various other rabbits.

### *Prince Lander & the Dragon War*

**Fleck**: I think there are many troubles ahead--many trials and tearings, but in the end, I believe we will find our mending.

**Galt**: I hope so.

—*Prince Lander & the Dragon War*, p. 310 |  | ”

Galt eventually parted ways with Whitson's company, following his dream and traveling into the southwest of Natalia, where he found rabbits who had long ago fled from the dragons. Among them he established the nation of Terralain, as well as marrying and having a number of children. When messengers from Whitson's army arrived asking for aid in the ongoing Dragon War, Galt marshalled the first Terralain army and led them to Dragon Mountain. They arrived in the midst of an assault led by Lander, who had recently become king after Whitson's death, and helped cut off an attempt by a force of dragon's to escape from Lander's army.

In the midst of the fighting, Galt joined his old friend Fleck aboard *Steadfast*, which was destroyed after a fire set off a blastpowder explosion. Both Galt and Fleck seemingly perished in the explosion, the news of which was conveyed to Lander following the victory over Namoz Dragonking. He was also informed that Galt's wife and three oldest sons were present. Unbeknownst to the rabbits, however, Galt and Fleck both washed up on the banks of the River Flint, having somehow survived the blast. The pair shared a warm reunion, and joined in as the rabbit armies pledged their faith to the new king with Blackstar's oath.

### *Ember's End*

Tameth Seer mentioned Galt as the founder of Terralain just prior to the War for All Natalia. When confronted with his treason by Naylen, Tameth noted that the Terralains faithfully followed the teachings of "Father Galt" before Bleston's Waywards arrived.

## Physical appearance

Galt appeared to be a somewhat lanky buck with coal-black fur. During his time in Seddleton he wore a dark tunic, puffy pants, and a belt, and he carried a sword at his hip.

## Personality and traits

Galt was a friendly, good-natured rabbit, and much admired his friend Fleck Blackstar despite not sharing Fleck's desire for vigilance. He also seems to have had an aversion to interacting with the royal family, possibly due to his own humble origins. Galt also demonstrated great pride in being a coal miner, and a desire to return to that life and find peace in Natalia. However, when faced with going back into the Battle of Ayman Lake after escaping from it, Galt balked at the notion and tried to discourage Fleck from taking that course.

During his subsequent solitude, Galt seemed to have developed or affirmed in himself an opinion against "making one buck higher than another," and sought to build a society based on that ideal. He recognized that his former comrades would regard him as a traitor for his actions at Ayman Lake and was thus reluctant to aid Massie and Lander when he met them on Grimble Island. However, after being pardoned by King Whitson for bringing him news of Lander and Queen Lillie, Galt was unable to abandon his former company in spite of his own aspirations. He thus returned to help Lander, Massie, and Queen Lillie in their escape from the Grimbles and dragons and fought in the Battle of *Steadfast*.

Years later, after becoming leader of the Terralain rabbits, Galt received word from King Whitson's camp of their dire status in the ongoing Dragon War. Recognizing that his own rabbits, which by then included his wife and children, were in as great a peril from the dragons as his former community, Galt led the Terralain army into the Battle of Dragon Mountain. Having survived the battle, he willingly joined in Blackstar Company's old oath as all the rabbits paid homage to King Lander.

## Relationships

### Fleck Blackstar

Fleck and Galt had been friends since their youths. When Fleck was made a captain, he chose Galt to be his lieutenant. However, their relationship became strained over many disagreements. Fleck wanted to speak with Whitson and thought he was humble, while Galt was of the opinion that royals cannot be humble and that Whitson would not listen to commoners. Fleck cared about the oath ("My place beside you. My blood for yours.") while Galt found it unimportant, and did not continue repeating it in Fleck's absence. Fleck wanted to look for Gavin, while Galt did not. Fleck went back to save Whitson in the Battle of Ayman Lake, while Galt felt that there was nothing they could do, and left.

Upon meeting Massie and Prince Lander, Galt's first question is whether Fleck is alive. When told that Fleck is a lord now, he expresses approval of that decision. Galt chooses not to return to the community, however.

Galt arrived to help in the Battle of Dragon Mountain, and Gavin told Lander that Fleck and Galt fell fighting together on *Steadfast*. After regaining consciousness on the shore of the Flint River, Fleck was delighted that Galt stayed. Galt expressed admiration for how faithful Fleck has been, though Fleck assured Galt that he was not *always* faithful. They expressed mutual hope for the Mending, then Fleck joined in the reciting of the oath taking place across the river. Galt knelt beside Fleck, and recited the oath too, which presumably made Fleck happy.

### Whitson Mariner

Galt did not believe Fleck that Whitson was humble, saying that kings are not allowed to be humble. When Galt met Whitson after the wreck of *Vanguard*, Whitson seemed unconcerned with Galt himself, only with Galt's message. He expressed some doubt about Galt's words, but Galt assured Whitson that what he said was true. Whitson tells Galt he is pardoned of all, and they will welcome Galt back to their community. Galt thanks Whitson for the offer but declines, and Whitson asks if Galt will leave them again. Galt hung his head before hurrying back into the forest. Upon seeing Galt with Massie and Lillie, Whitson is glad that he returned to help, and possibly surprised also.

### Lander Whitson

Prince Lander told Galt that, if Galt helped him rescue Queen Lillie, he would make sure Galt was pardoned. Prince Lander gives the Green Ember to Galt to show King Whitson, although while waiting for Galt to return wonders if he will keep his promise. When Galt showed up to help during the Battle of Dragon Mountain, Lander was pleased. After the battle, when Galt is presumed dead, Lander asked about his family.

### Massie Burnson

**Massie Burnson**: (Laughing) I don't believe it.

**Lander**: Captain Massie, I cannot make sense of this. Tell me what you see!

**Massie**: It's Galt, sir. See there. He's the one out front with his sword held high.

—*Prince Lander & the Dragon War*, p. 275-276 |  | ”

When Massie and Galt met each other on the island, both were surprised, having thought the other dead. Massie thought Galt was going to kill them, but Galt did not. When Galt expressed reluctance to help Massie and Lander because he would be condemned as a traitor, Massie begged Galt to help them because it was the right thing to do. Massie urged Galt to hurry with the story of himself, and tell them of Queen Lillie. After sending Galt as a messenger to King Whitson, Lander wondered if Galt would keep his promise, but Massie expressed faith in his old lieutenant. When Galt returned to rescue Massie, Lander, and Lillie from Grenjo, Massie is delighted.

When Galt arrives in the Battle of Dragon Mountain, Massie laughs, delighted by the return of Galt. When Fleck and Galt are presumed dead, upon hearing that they fell fighting together, Massie comments that this is 'extraordinary', and that he cannot believe they are gone.

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