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Iryana stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

“Remember your priorities, cousin,” Iryana reminded him. She didn’t want to scold her cousin—the idea made her want to vomit—and she certainly wouldn’t do so in front of the soldiers. But she had to keep the peace. Had to be firm.

Iryana stood tall, holding her arm out as if to summon one of her forgings, and stared down all the soldiers. The same way she had after defeating Karvek, though the effect was lessened with her not being covered in blood. Still, the soldiers all knew her. Knew what she’d done.

“We have one enemy here,” she said, loud enough that they’d all hear her. “The dakii. But if anything else arises to threaten this mission, I won’t hesitate to take care of it. This is your only warning.” The threat was obvious in her tone. Soldiers like this didn’t respond to much else.

The soldier looked back at Pyetar, as if he’d defend them. He just crossed his arms and returned their pleading stares with an unbending one of his own.

When no one said anything, Iryana returned to her spot beside Pyetar and resumed marching.

“That wasn’t out of line, was it?” Iryana asked him softly. “I don’t want to overstep your authority.”

Pyetar shrugged. “I thought it was hot.”

Her eyes flew wide as she gaped at him. He was flirting with her after that?

Pyetar just chuckled, and she shook her head.

“How are things at the fort?” she asked.

Pyetar shrugged. “Tenar, my new major, is settling in. He has more leadership experience than me. I’m letting him handle the fort for the most part.”

Iryana smiled teasingly. “So what are you doing then?” Karvek hadn’t been involved in the daily operations, the regiment’s major and captains had handled that, but he was always busy. Scheming.

Pyetar shrugged again. “Trying to understand the workings of the brigade. Following what’s going on. And being a general menace, as usual.”

She rolled her eyes.

“I’m not joking. There is still a good bit of discontent. I spend a lot of my time reminding people what happens when they step out of line. You know, sit in the hall and look threatening.”

“Pyetar…”

“It’s fine. Things are still getting settled.”

She gave him a worried look but let the topic drop. They fell into a comfortable pace, occasionally chatting about the paths ahead and dealing with frequent interruptions from their party. There was still time for everyone to get along.

When she thought enough time had passed for Edvar to calm down, Iryana fell back and pulled him aside.

“Hey.” She kept her voice soft.

“Yes, Third?” he grumbled.

“We can’t have that happen again, okay?” She looked around to make sure they were far enough from the others.

“It’s insulting,” he snapped quietly. “He was saying you got into the last Horvol general’s pants, only to betray him when he didn’t do what you wanted. And now you’ve put the next Horvol in charge and if he doesn’t do what you want…”

“It’s just gossip.” But Iryana tightened her grip on the bow slung over her shoulder. “It was… a weird sequence of events. And I did betray Karvek.”

He worked his jaw back and forth. “It just feels like I’m trying to defend you, our Third, and you’re just taking their side.”

“I’m not trying to take their side.” She squeezed her cousin’s shoulder. “I’m just trying to keep the peace.”

Edvar looked away, his light brown hair falling over his eyes. “I’m not going to let them mouth off about our clan.”

“I just ask that you keep the peace, please.”

He didn’t answer her.