Page 37 of Memory of Ashes

“Amelia.” Tharos inclined his head.

“I just wanted to see how you were,” she said.

“I wasn’t badly injured. Not physically, anyway.” He inclined his head. “Thanks to you.”

She raised her brows. “You’re welcome.”

“Maybe I should give you two some privacy,” Ruven teased.

They both glared at him.

“Is Casyl ordering an offensive?” Tharos asked.

“No, we’re waiting it out.”

He frowned at that. “But now would be the perfect time to strike. We could wipe them out and end this. I’ve seen their camp. Their numbers were already dwindling.”

Ruven just shrugged. “Maybe you should discuss this with him yourself.”

The three of them returned to Casyl’s tent. Ruven supported Tharos whilst Amelia followed.

“Why aren’t we calling an offensive?” Tharos questioned Casyl as soon as they entered.

“I’m fine, thanks for asking,” Casyl said. “Look at us. Do you really think we’re in any position to lead an army?”

Tharos grunted and collapsed onto a nearby stool at the table.

“We need at least one day to recover,” Casyl said.

They had barely settled when Danae pushed through the tent flap carrying a large pot and a stack of bowls.

She passed the bowls to Amelia. “Here, set these down.”

Ruven moved the map that occupied the table, sliding the figures to one side to make room as she handed them out and they all took a seat.

Danae took a ladle and filled each bowl with a strange-looking broth. “It looks like swamp water, but it tastes like the gods made it.”

She pushed the bread towards Amelia.

“Thank you.”

“I hope Tharos found the manners to thank you,” Casyl said with a pointed stare at Tharos.

“In a manner of speaking,” she replied.

Tharos narrowed his eyes at Casyl. “Thank you, Amelia, for saving my fragile fae life.”

Ruven rolled his eyes. “And she did it all without using any of the training we’ve spent weeks teaching her.”

“She did it with her eyes closed!” Danae added.

“Yes, blindly running into danger.” Ruven laughed.

“It worked,” Casyl said.

“Ah yes, she saved your fragile life too,” Ruven mocked his commander.

Amelia flinched, expecting anger, but looked up to see Casyl smiling. Around these three, the commander’s sharp edges seemed to soften.