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Vaneshta pursed her lips, and Iryana could see Mezhimar wincing at the back of the group. Vaneshta said, “If we slow down, we miss our window to move between the packs. Speed is safety.”

Iryana nodded, “And—”

“Not if we’re all exhausted,” Edvar grumbled.

Iryana groaned internally. Vaneshta didn’t compromise on safety.

“Better exhausted than fighting more battles than we have to.” Vaneshta’s voice was hard, and Lidishta put a hand on her arm as if to remind her they were trying to be friendly. Pepha shrank back behind them.

“You soldiers may be used to marching around all day like this, but our people are not.” Edvar narrowed his eyes at her.

Iryana didn’t like the tone her cousin was using but didn’t want to chastise him in front of the others.

“Some of you seem to be doing fine,” Lidishta cut in, a hint of that haughty tone she’d had when Iryana first met her. Lidishta’s eyes lingered on Iryana as if to say, Why aren’t they in as good of shape?

“We’re not all trained for this.” Levek spoke, mostly calm and detached, but there was a strain to his face. He glanced at the other charges who were clearly not doing well.

Edvar nodded at his brother. “How typical that the soldiers don’t care about the wellbeing of the citizens. Wonder if that’s why they were left to fight instead of leading the Istrins to safety. Couldn’t rely on them to worry about civilians.”

Vaneshta and the others gasped, momentarily shocked.

Gods, what was wrong with her cousin? Even Levek seemed surprised.

“Edvar, go take a walk,” Iryana snapped. If she didn’t address it, someone else would have to, and that would be far worse.

The look her cousin gave her was lethal, but he sprung to his feet and obeyed.

“He didn’t mean it,” Iryana tried apologizing, wincing at Vaneshta and the others. The other sergeant in the party, one Iryana didn’t know, was staring at Levek and the charges.

“It’s our job to escort you to the temple and get you there safely,” Vaneshta growled at those who remained. “I don’t much care if you enjoy the trip.” Then she turned on her heel and marched back to the other side of the clearing.

Iryana sighed, watching Lidishta glare at Edvar’s retreating back and then race after Vaneshta.

Pepha was stiff, jaw clenched and hands folded behind her back. Iryana wished she could do something to comfort her, but luckily Mezhimar was there. He whispered something in her ear and led her away from the group.

“Well, that was great,” Iryana mumbled, trying to calm her racing heart.

She met Levek’s eyes, but he just shrugged. No wisdom to share there.

Throughout the next few hours of marching, things felt tenser than usual. Iryana had tried talking to Edvar, but he was in one of his moods now and it wasn’t worth trying to calm him down. Vaneshta’s team marched at the front, Pyetar leading the way. Sergeant Soshya and her team took up the middle, and a few paces farther back were Iryana and her charges.

Eventually Pyetar held up his hand, signaling for everyone to stop.

“We’re moving into more dangerous territory,” he announced. “We will need a more readied formation.”

Iryana narrowed her eyes at him slightly as Pyetar ordered everyone around. The unforged charges would walk at the center, Edvar and his bow with the brigade’s archer at the back, and the soldiers around them in their usual positions. He was forcing the different groups to be more integrated, to stop marching separately.

“And, Third,” Pyetar called back as the soldiers were taking their positions around her charges. “I’d have you lead the way with me if you’re willing. We need to chart the best path.”

It wasn’t the most advantageous place for her; if dakii came, her cousins would be most comfortable fighting at her side. But there was a look in Pyetar’s eyes that had her nodding and going to join him. Was there some danger he wanted to discuss with her privately? The thought worried her.

Levek grabbed her shoulder as she passed. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“It’s fine. I promise,” she assured him.

Her cousin looked back nervously at his brother but nodded and settled in with the other unforged.

Once she was at Pyetar’s side, they started marching again. Iryana looked at him carefully.