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“Makes the one we had at the post look small, doesn’t it?” Iryana laughed.

“It seems so easy to get lost in here.” Hadima peered carefully at every street.

They ran into Vabihn and Vaneshta in the barracks’ training yard, sparring.

“Iryana!” Vaneshta immediately sent her much larger opponent flying into the dirt.

Iryana hugged her friend tight. “I’m surprised you have time to mess around with Vabihn, Major.”

She’d been promoted to replace Tenar before they’d even started heading down from the caves. The 18th seemed to universally support the decision.

“Someone had to keep his ego in check.”

Vabihn complained as he tried to wipe some of the mud off his training clothes. Iryana laughed as her two friends greeted her sisters warmly.

“How is Lidishta recovering?” Hadima asked.

“You can take a look at my wife tonight. We’re all going to eat at Vabihn’s place!” Vaneshta clapped her hand on Vabihn’s shoulder.

“We are?” Vabihn said, like he’d never heard of it.

“We are now!”

Iryana knew that meant a lot more than just eating. They’d be up into the early hours of the morning, drinking and playing games if Vaneshta had any control over it.

“Doesn’t Lidishta need her sleep if she’s still recovering?” Iryana teased. “I’m not sure if your snoring is the best thing for that.”

Vaneshta punched her lightly on the arm. “I’ll have you know Lidi is a very deep sleeper.”

“I’ll be there,” Hadima said, surprising Iryana.

“Me too,” added Misha.

Iryana laughed again. “I guess we’ll all be there.”

Misha examined the training dummies and practice weapons lined up on the sides of the yard. It was a much more involved setup than they once had at the post.

Her sister may have been young and small, but with the way guardians trained, she could probably still take most of the soldiers one on one. It would be fun to see.

With a creak of the gate, Mezhimar slipped into the barracks yard. “I heard you were showing them around!” He turned to Misha. “You know, Pepha thinks you could outshoot me. How would you like to find out tomorrow?”

Misha straightened. “You’re on.”

When they left the barracks, Iryana continued their tour. Most of the soldiers knew all three of them, shouting out warm greetings and asking how they were. Hadima asked after them; Misha teased a few.

Iryana turned to her sisters in the main square of the fortress at the end of the tour. “Welcome home.”

A knock sounded at the door, and Iryana rushed to open it. She had just finished toweling off her wet hair; it hung loose down her back.

A slow smile spread across Pyetar’s face as he took her in, eyes traveling languidly up her body. He leaned against the side of the door frame, wearing simple trousers and a woolen sweater that did nothing to hide his muscular physique. It was strangely casual.

“Hello, General.” She fought a grin. “You’ve shaved.”

She’d grown attached to the beard he’d worn through winter, but this reminded her of how fond she was of Pyetar’s jaw. The way she could see the muscles feather as he swallowed.

“I have.”

“Is there something I can help you with?”