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The First grunted. “Leaders are meant to delegate these things, coordinate the larger efforts of their people. Not be in the middle of things themselves.” Then her grandmother looked over to Iryana. “You’re heir now, but that kind of behavior will not be acceptable when you’re First.”

Iryana swallowed and nodded quickly. She knew her role would change drastically as First.

She’d have to talk to Pyetar though. He was a man of action, and he’d never been given the chance to learn good leadership. His father and brother were certainly not good examples. Still, things would go better if he could get on her grandmother’s good side. His heart was in the right place, and she knew he would find his way eventually.

“Tell the general I will leave for the fort in…” She calculated how much she had to prepare. “Three days.”

Iryana sat in her grandmother’s study, going over the reports she’d asked for. She’d been at it since they’d seen Vaneshta the day before.

The clan wasn’t happy that she was leaving again so soon, but the First had very vaguely explained the strange things that were happening and the need to look into them. She had made it sound like a minor thing, like everything was fine, but they just wanted to be sure.

Neither of them admitted Iryana would be traveling with the general. They’d both come to an unspoken conclusion that it was better not to mention it.

Iryana had approved the training and watch schedule Dinhal put together, the list of tasks that had to be done around the village that couldn’t wait, and the list of the supplies they’d regained from the recent trade which soldiers from the 18th had just dropped off. Things were looking solid enough that Iryana felt some of her worries abating. There would be just enough time for her to help with some repairs around the village.

She still needed to see Hadima’s report, especially with her leaving soon to spend some time at the Cavta Post.

Iryana looked up at the sound of the door creaking open, her older sister slipping into the study. Hadima looked exhausted. More so than usual.

“Your report?”

Hadima nodded and slid it onto the desk. “I have prepared everything I can, left notes and instructions for everything.” She’d only be gone for about a week, perhaps two, but it felt like a long time to miss their healer even if they could bring her back early if needed.

Iryana nodded. “Good. Thank you again for doing this. I know it’s not easy.”

Hadima offered a weak smile. “Well, you can make it up to me by escorting me into the lower valley.”

“What for?” Iryana couldn’t help her frown.

“There are a few supplies I want to gather. Some mushrooms and barks that I can’t find here. It would allow me to leave some better supplies, which would make me feel much more comfortable about being away.”

The forests of Istri weren’t great for foraging in the winter, but there were always things to be found if one knew where to look. And there were plenty of plants and fungi that could be found in the Yuresh Valley that weren’t in the upper one. It made sense, yet Iryana hesitated.

It was dangerous.

Hadima wasn’t much of a fighter and Iryana herself had to avoid using her magic, but she knew she could take down dakii without it. And as the clan patrolled the valley now, the odds of running into dakii were lower than before.

Iryana also had to remind herself that the ban on venturing into the Yuresh Valley was gone, and even if she refused to take Hadima, she didn’t have a good reason to stop her from going with others from the clan. Iryana would rather make sure her sister was safe herself.

Besides, Hadima was going to the Cavta Post because of her. She would make time for her sister.

“Alright,” she agreed. “But I have to leave in two days, so we have to go tomorrow.”

“Thank you,” Hadima smiled weakly.

The door swung the rest of the way open, Hadima and Iryana both turning toward it.

“Misha?” Hadima asked in confusion as their younger sister stepped inside, posture rigid.

“I want to come.”

Fear instantly seized her.

“It’s too dangerous, Misha,” Iryana spat out, horrified by the image of her little sister surrounded by the dakii.

“You’ll be there to protect us.” Misha crossed her arms. Hadima shook her head, but Misha ignored her, focus trained on Iryana. “You’re going to miss my birthday.”

Iryana froze. She’d entirely forgotten. “I’m so sor—”