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“Hadi!” Iryana protested once Hadima had made her way back over to Iryana.

“They seem more aware than the other creatures, don’t you think?” Hadima asked her, contemplative. “The dakii eat, I figured they did too.”

She shook her head at her sister. “Come on, let’s hurry.”

“Is everyone on board?” she asked, shutting the door behind her so she was alone with Pyetar in his study. Mezhimar was leading Hadima around the infirmary.

Pyetar shook his head as he looked up at her, muscles tensing in his face as he frowned. “It didn’t go well…”

“They don’t want to retreat?” she asked as she sat across from him, confused.

“We’ve sent word to the settlements in the area. Many are willing to fall back here or to your post. But the others in the 18th… the smaller brigades and regiments in the area… they’re refusing to retreat out of military territory.”

“I don’t understand.”

“They don’t want to retreat, they want—” Pyetar swallowed. “They all want to come here, to join us. We’re holding up better than most of the others, apparently. And they refuse to put their lives in your people’s hands.”

She flinched. “Even though the metal-badgers are clearly drawn here? The fort isn’t safe.”

“I know,” he sighed, rubbing his face.

“What did you tell them?”

Pyetar groaned, shoving some of the papers aside on his desk. “I’m already drowning trying to keep those at the fort safe. I told them no. I told them that if they want to retreat, New Omis Post and the Dovaki Post are open to them. I hope their stubbornness will fade as things get worse.”

“Would having more soldiers here not help?” she asked gently.

“Vaneshta thinks we should accept them.” He sighed wearily. “I don’t know. I panicked when they suggested it. I’m barely holding on here. The idea of taking responsibility for so many more…”

She could understand that.

“What about the fort? If you signal your retreat, others may follow.”

“My soldiers here are… not all supportive of that plan.”

“Can’t you just order them to go?” she asked weakly.

“I don’t want them to desert, and many said that if we fall back, they will just stay here. They’d rather make their stand here. They don’t ‘trust the guardians or their wooden wall.’ Say there’s no reason to think they will be any safer with you.”

Iryana flinched again, falling quiet.

She reached across and grabbed his hand, squeezing tightly. “You’re doing the best you can, Pyetar.”

“But will it be enough?”

“I don’t think any of us can know that.”

Pyetar’s thumb rubbed over her hand for a moment as he stared at it, then slowly pulled away. As if it pained him.

“I made Lidishta a captain,” he told her. “We’ve lost so many, and she and Vaneshta are at least supported by both camps: those in favor of staying and those who want to retreat behind your wall.”

“Is Lidishta doing alright with everything?”

He nodded. “She truly is our best weapon against the metal-badgers.”

“I—” She fell silent, looking down at her chest.

“What is it?” he asked, voice already tense with concern.