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“It would be too great a risk out here.”

“If Vabihn were here, I’m sure he would have strong-armed half the camp into playing drinking games.”

Vaneshta laughed, nodding her agreement. “That man has no sense half the time.”

“Why didn’t Vabihn and Shahn come? Are they on a different team now?” She’d been wondering for days.

“Vabihn’s wife is pregnant again, and it’s a hard pregnancy. Pyetar has him staying close to the fort to take care of her.”

“Is she going to be alright?”

“The healers think so. She just needs to be watched and to take it easy. She’s been sick a lot.”

Iryana nodded. The brigade had plenty of access to water-forged healers, but she might ask Hadima if there was anything she could do.

“And Shahn?” She hadn’t seen him since before they marched on the fort against Karvek. She knew he hadn’t joined them, but she hadn’t seen him fighting against them either.

Vaneshta was quiet for a while. The only sound was the crunching of leaves and dirt beneath their boots.

“We finally got him to admit that he was the one who warned Karvek.”

“What?” Iryana gasped, stopping and grabbing Vaneshta’s arm.

Vaneshta sighed. “I know. Apparently, he did it to protect his little sister. I know it’s complicated—Karvek was an ass—but I don’t care. He put the rest of us and our families in danger.”

It was almost impossible to process. To believe. “How is Pyetar handling it?”

“Pyetar took his belt and has him doing manual labor at the fort. Under close watch. But he’s still allowed to live with his sister. Far too lenient in my opinion.”

Shahn had put her clan in danger. Had put their team in danger. It could have so easily gone wrong.

Iryana shook her head, trying to imagine what he had been thinking. But Shahn had never seemed to mind what he was ordered to do, or cared about anything really. Other than his sister. The few times she’d seen them together, he was a different person. Iryana could understand making stupid choices out of love for one’s family. Would she have made the same choice?

She looked over at Vaneshta, at the tension in her jaw, and the fire in her eyes. She wouldn’t understand, wouldn’t forgive him for it. Of that Iryana was sure, so she didn’t say anything about it.

Vaneshta shook her head, seeming to shake away the anger. “Anyway, what about you? You’re all fancy now as Third. Still being standoffish with your family?”

Iryana chuckled lightly at the blunt question. She’d missed Vaneshta. “I’m doing my best. Better than when we first roomed together, at least. It’s difficult, though.”

“Leadership should be difficult,” Vaneshta said in her serious, no-nonsense tone. “Responsibility, especially over others, is serious. There are lives in your hands, happiness and wellbeing. There isn’t room to be selfish or careless. You need to get your shit together.”

Iryana winced. “Thanks for the endorsement.”

Vaneshta punched her lightly on the arm. “Get over it.” She laughed. “There’s no room for your ego either.”

“I know,” Iryana answered softly, taking a shaky breath. There was a lot she needed to learn to be worthy of being her clan’s heir.

“You’re not a coward. And you don’t give up.” Vaneshta shrugged. “You’ll figure it out.”

The corner of Iryana’s mouth tugged up. “Thanks, Vaneshta.”

Vaneshta punched her arm again, but harder this time.

“Ow!” Iryana protested. “What?”

“We’re great friends, aren’t we?” she demanded. “Stop calling me Vaneshta, as if you barely know me.”

“Ah,” Iryana squeaked, swallowing nervously. “Thank you… Vani.”