Deargland is the kingdom whose attempt to enlist Galahad Stormcrane in a war against Gormland transformed a curse-breaking mission into a political and military conflict. The episode tests the boundary between Galahad’s ability to make curses and his oath not to use that ability, and its consequences extend beyond Deargland when he escapes and helps its intended enemy prepare for an attack.

Setting and Mission

Several years before the events Galahad recounts, he was sent to Deargland as a Curse-Breaker. The stated purpose of the summons was to free the queen from a barrenness curse. Once he arrived, however, his hosts gave him a different task: to make a curse that would strike down the Dragon King of Gormland. The change in purpose places Deargland in the story not simply as a destination, but as a kingdom seeking to turn Galahad’s specialized knowledge toward its own conflict.

Conflict with Galahad

Galahad acknowledged that he could make curses, drawing on his experience with them, but said that doing so would violate every oath he had taken. Deargland’s demand therefore put his professional power and his obligations in direct opposition. He was imprisoned, and plans were made to execute him. The danger was especially stark because killing a Curse-Breaker was said to be against the laws of Edel; the account nevertheless shows that this legal protection did not prevent Deargland from detaining him or planning his death.

Escape and Consequences

Galahad escaped and crossed the border into Gormland. There he found the older, wiser king of the Gormland dragons, who did not know Deargland was preparing to attack. Galahad helped him rally his children, who were sleeping in the mountains and caves along the coast. When Deargland struck, Gormland was ready and had greater strength; its forces drove the attackers back, and half of the Gormland royal family were killed.

Narrative Significance

Deargland’s episode establishes that Galahad’s work can place him between rival powers: he is summoned to remedy a curse, pressed to create one, and ultimately acts to prevent the kingdom that imprisoned him from catching its opponent unprepared. The reversal also gives concrete weight to the distinction between knowing how to make a curse and choosing to do so. Deargland’s attempted use of that knowledge ends not in the requested spell but in Galahad’s escape and intervention on the other side of its border.