Page 145 of Storm of Ink and Blood

The free vanshaj worked valiantly, and while some were naturals, plenty couldn’t tell which foot was the left and which was the right. Rabin sighed and blew out a breath.

“If only we had more time,” he said. “We’d need months to train a competent army, even if they already had experience.”

Zarya followed the direction of his stare. He was obviously right. They didn’t look particularly seasoned, but what they lacked in skill, they made up with heart. Every single one of them had a determined expression on their faces. This meant more to them than to anyone.

They passed through the house and into a room where dozens of people were busy scratching out notes on pieces of paper. “What’s this?” Zarya asked.

“Something I dreamed up last night,” Vikas answered. “They’re copying the passage from Age of Shadows that shares the truth about the Jadugara. Ajay agreed it was a good idea, and we gathered as much paper as we could find.”

“It’s brilliant,” Zarya said.

“How do you plan to distribute them?” Rabin asked.

“We thought we could hand them out to people in the square.”

“Or I could fly over and rain them down over Ishaan,” Rabin answered with a wicked gleam in his eyes.

Vikas grinned and nodded. “That would be perfect.”

The door to the back of the house opened and they all went to investigate. Ajay entered, followed by Koura, and then… Farida stepped through the doorway with her arm wrapped around Rania.

“Farida!” Zarya cried, rushing towards her. Farida appeared pale and so much thinner, like a delicate twig in winter.

Zarya ground to a stop. “Is it okay if I hug you?” she asked, and Farida nodded with that kind smile she’d missed so much.

“Of course.”

Zarya threw her arms around her. “I’m so sorry. I’m just so sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Farida said. “Rania and Ajay have explained everything. I’m so proud of all of you.”

Zarya pulled away. She stared at Farida’s throat and her smooth, unblemished skin.

“You’re okay?”

“Thanks to Koura,” Farida answered, and he tipped his head. “A little tired and weak, but he promises I’ll make a full recovery.”

“Gods, I’m so relieved you’re here,” Zarya said. “You must meet Vikas.”

Vikas approached with his hand out and a grin on his face. “I’ve heard so many wonderful things about you. I’m so glad to see you’ve recovered.”

“I’ve heard the same,” Farida said, causing Vikas’s shoulders to straighten. “And despite Rania’s protests, I wanted to come and see everything. Will you show me around?”

“Of course,” Vikas said, looping his arm through Farida’s as he took her through the manor, pointing out everything and answering all of her questions about Operation Starbreak.

Her pride in their work was evident, and for the next few hours, she pitched in where she could while Rania hovered and fussed over her. Farida bore her attention with good nature, clearly humoring her after her near scare with death.

A somber mood settled over the house as the day waned and night fell.

Zarya and Vikas finished with the final group and started cleaning up as everyone else finished their chores and made for their homes. That left Zarya, Rabin, Ajay, Row, and Yasen as they closed the door on the final vanshaj they’d free before the sun rose tomorrow.

“This is it, then,” Vikas said. “We’re done.”

“How many do we have?” Rabin asked.

Vikas consulted the ledger on the next table. “By my count, we’re at just over three thousand.”

Their gazes met around the room.