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“And the dakii have been strange. We ran into one on its own. There weren’t any other dakii nearby. It looked young, and it just stared at us curiously and then walked away.”

Iryana’s grandmother frowned, the wrinkles on her face deepening.

“I really think something is changing. I just don’t know what it will mean for us.”

The First sighed, looking weary. “We’ll take it one day at a time. We’ll have to wait and see what this means. For now, it changes nothing. And we keep it to ourselves.”

It felt like they should do something about it, but what? Vesima had been First for decades, had led their clan through harder years than any First should have to. Iryana trusted her wisdom.

“Then, have we heard from the clans?” She hoped they would know more.

“The two clans to our south have agreed to meet, and the Vyukovold clan has offered to let us meet at the Cavta Post. It is a good central location.” The First seemed pleased by this. “You will leave again in about ten days; the meeting will be on the twenty-fifth.”

“We’ll have to send word to the 18th, to pass that on—”

“I already have.”

She had to admit, at least to herself, that she was feeling discouraged. Perhaps it was too much to hope she’d have a reason to see Pyetar again so soon. But hopefully the clan leaders and the generals would understand that working together was the right way forward and that they’d have an easier time putting their prejudices aside.

Still, she only had ten days to catch up on all her duties here, to continue proving herself, before she’d be gone for another week.

Iryana looked back up at her grandmother. “I just wish it was easier to make the clan want to get along with the brigade.”

“The right path forward for the clan isn’t always the easiest one or the one everyone wants. Seeing that and guiding our family in those more difficult directions is part of the purpose of clan leadership. This will be easier for you as you settle into your role here.” Vesima moved one of the stacks of paper to the side of the desk.

Iryana scrunched up her face. “I don’t know if I’ve earned my place enough to push them too hard…”

“I know this is hard for you, Iryana.” The First’s gaze was knowing and unusually empathetic. “But it’s our duty to do what is best for the family, even if it doesn’t make them like us.”

Iryana nodded. She still struggled with it, but she’d have to figure it out.

“We will officially make you Third on the moonless night. Make sure you’re ready for the ceremony.”

Iryana tensed, fear coursing through her as she fought to hide it. “So soon?”

She’d barely have time to settle back in after returning from the meeting.

“It has already been longer than I’d like.”

Her cousin was metal-forged now. Iryana wasn’t the only option anymore. “Are you sure?” she asked softly.

The First pierced her with a no-nonsense look that dared Iryana to ask again.

“Okay.”

Once she was officially made Third, there would be no replacing her. Guardian clans only had one leader per generation, no matter what.

Iryana left the study feeling unsettled. She wanted nothing more than to curl up in her room and bask in the silence, but she knew that was the nerves and the fear talking. So instead, she navigated the cluttered halls of the clan’s house until she found the others.

They had moved in from the courtyard, still relatively bundled up, snow dusting their shoulders and the tops of their hats. She found her sisters at the edge of the hall, watching the cousins and their aunts and uncles chatting and celebrating Levek’s forging. Iryana realized they were waiting for her.

“There you are!” Hadima cried, a great smile overtaking her face as she saw Iryana.

Warmth filled her, and Iryana couldn’t help but smile back.

Stark relief softened Misha’s face, and the girl nearly leaped at Iryana, wrapping her arms around her tightly.

Iryana froze with surprise but then held the little girl close. Misha was hugging her. She was so strong for such a small thing, and Iryana felt the urge to tug on her sister’s braids—something she hadn’t done in so many years. Her eyes burned, tears threatening to spill.