Page 177

Earlier that day, she had thought she’d seen Hadima working with some of the refugees, only to actually run into her as soon as she returned to the main house. That was the moment she realized just how tired she was. She couldn’t afford to be so out of it.

She was worried and stressed about so many things, but what currently drove her crazy was the thought that the soldiers of the 18th would arrive soon, perhaps even tomorrow. It was hard to predict exactly what the dynamic between those soldiers and the clan would be. Hard to predict how the clan would take Pyetar’s presence.

Carrying the splinter light in its iron stand, Iryana walked into her new room to find Misha already dressed for bed, reading a combat manual. Her little sister glanced up when she entered, nodded in greeting, and then looked back down at her book.

When they were alone together and not training, Misha was quiet. Perhaps it was silly for her, a grown woman, to find comfort in being in the same room as her sisters, but it was a relief being able to look over and know that they were fine when she woke up, sweating and panting from the nightmares that plagued her most nights.

Iryana quickly changed, trying not to bump into the furniture.

They’d pushed three narrow beds into the room, shoving them against each other to make them fit. There was a small walkway on one side, next to Misha’s bed, but Iryana’s was pressed to the wall with Hadima between them. The small table that had been in the room still fit, although it was shoved in the corner at the end of Iryana’s bed with her trunk of clothes on top.

There wasn’t really any opportunity to be alone anymore. There were people everywhere.

“You did good today,” Iryana told Misha, after she had swapped out her clothes for clean leggings, a nightgown, and a woolen sweater. “Your precision with your shield is already getting better.”

It was Misha’s best defense, and Iryana had been drilling her constantly to build up the ability to summon it quicker and thicker in localized areas to preserve her energy. Misha took to the instruction like she did all other combat training: with single-minded focus and dedication.

“Thank you,” Misha said softly. “Will you let me join the watches in the towers now? Not just the wall?”

Iryana took a slow breath, carefully inspecting her sister. Then she opened her trunk and pulled out a long slender package, carefully wrapped back up, and placed it in front of Misha.

Hesitantly, Misha reached for it, slowly pulling back the wrapping and staring at the shining falchion she had rejected the last time Iryana tried to give it to her. This time, her sister didn’t panic. Misha wrapped her small hand around the leather-wrapped grip and pulled it partially out of the scabbard.

Iryana sagged with relief, chewing on her bottom lip to get her emotions under control. She couldn’t see Misha’s face the way she was curled over the sword, but she could see the way her little sister’s shoulders trembled.

“How about you take over for Tonhald in the morning while I’m on shift? He could use the break.” Iryana swallowed.

Misha sheathed the sword and held it to her chest, finally looking up. Her eyes were watery, but she was smiling. Her hazel eyes twinkling.

“Thank you, Iri.”

Part of Iryana healed inside seeing her sister with the sword.

“May it serve you well and keep you safe.”

Misha was quiet for a moment, just inspecting the sword, fingers trailing over the detailing. The relief of it made Iryana want to burst into tears, but she controlled herself.

The door creaked as Hadima slipped in, nearly bumping into Iryana, looking worryingly haggard. Her eyes immediately locked onto the falchion in Misha’s hand and it brightened Hadima’s whole face.

“Nice sword.” Hadima grinned.

Misha failed to stop a huge smile. “Yeah, and hey! Look at you coming to bed at a reasonable time!”

Smiling herself, Iryana climbed over the footboards and onto her bed to give Hadima space.

Hadima rolled her eyes. “The two of you would just harass me if I didn’t.”

“That is true, we would,” Misha agreed, tilting her head to look at Iryana conspiratorially before quickly stashing the falchion with her gear.

“How is everyone settling in?” Iryana asked, pulling the blankets over her legs.

That afternoon the first group had arrived at the Dovaki Post from the fort, mainly the civilians that lived with the 18th, and a group of earth-forged whose tunnels had partially collapsed with the earthquakes. The 18th had brought sleds of supplies that had to be hauled up to the hanging valley, and then turned back around with those sleds to bring the next batch tomorrow.

Hadima let out a long breath and then started pulling off layers. “Some of the earth-forged were more injured than I originally thought, a few broken bones and some internal bleeding. But with the other forged healers from the water village, we’ve been able to stay on top of it all.”

“It’s nice to see you have help.” Hopefully it meant Hadima would take it easier on herself.

Iryana noticed Misha was looking down at her lap, a frown twisting her face.