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He grunted and put the cooling cloth back to his injury. “Good. Someone should teach him that being the biggest doesn’t mean he gets to do what he wants.”
Odan shook his head. “You get left alone for a couple of hours and what do you do? You go pick a fight with the biggest Skaag in camp.”
“I didn’t pick the fight. Itripped,” I grumbled.
“Well, from the sounds of things, you certainly made a name for yourself.” Odan sounded far too amused for someone who’d had to break up a fight and haul my sorry drunk ass to the healers.
When I left, my head was only slightly woozy from the medicine the healers had given me. All the Skaags I came across scurried out of my way, and a few grinned at me, pounding a fist to their chest in respect as I passed.
Cianburnedwithfuryand worry behind me as I drew the blankets up over Nevahn, tucking him into bed. Odan had brought him by a short while ago, recovering from getting drunk on Skaag liquor, and apparently being part of the large brawl in camp we’d heard about. He was sobering up slowly, steadily. By midnight, he’d be well enough to fully comprehend the depth of his mistake. Until then, sleep was the best thing for him.
I had managed to convince Cian to save his scolding for when it would actually do some good. Nevahn would be too tired for it to sink in for a while yet.
“At least he wasn’t too badly hurt,” I said, closing the fabric door that separated our sleeping quarters from the public section of the command tent.
“This time. What about next time?” Cian went to the strategy table, leaning over it with a sigh. “What if Nisang is right and he shouldn’t be here?”
I frowned and crossed my arms, tail twitching with agitation. “He is not as weak as you think. Do not forget, Cian, that he just survived a fight with Morlash’s second. The rumor going around camp paints him as a hero for standing up to him.”
“Yes, but there’s already enough unrest among the troops after our last loss. We didn’t need him stirring it up more.” Cian ran a hand over his face as if he could wipe away what had happened.
I went to his side, putting my hands on his upper arms and kissing his shoulder. “You’re thinking about this the wrong way, Cian. He’s won some respect from the Skaags.”
“But placed himself even further in opposition to Morlash. We can’t afford to lose Morlash’s support, Hel. If he thinks he’s being replaced, there will be a revolt in the ranks.”
“So, because he’s had a bruised ego, we should give him a medal so he feels important?” I snorted and sat on the table.
Cian studied the table. “We will need someone to command the ballistas when they go west.”
“And you think Morlash should do it?” I picked up one of the freshly carved ballista figures, perching it between my fingers and holding it up. “He doesn’t even know how to work it. No one here does, save for Xeltec and Nevahn.”
“They’ll have to instruct the others,” Cian said, waving a hand. “We both know Xeltec isn’t a warrior. He’ll remain here with the forge.”
I shrugged, considering the figure. “You could always put Nevahn in command.”
“No,” Cian said firmly before I’d even finished my sentence.
“Why not?”
Cian snatched the figure out of my hand and placed it back on the table where it belonged. “There is a whole host of reasons I would never give him his own command, Hel, the least of which being—”
“That he is a weak human?” I took his hand in mine and guided him around to stand in front of me so I could fiddle with the loose ties of his tunic. “If you think he is so weak, perhaps you should tell him so. See how quickly he proves you wrong.”
He sighed and caught my fingers, cradling them. “It isn’t because he’s weak, Hel. He’s already displayed more strength and courage than most humans. However, he is still human. You and I will not be going to the front. Tell me you really want me to send him away?”
“Of course not,” I said. “But put him in charge of training the Skaags on the use and care of the ballistas at least, Cian. Show him you believe in him.”
“What of Morlash? How do you suggest I appease him? And this still doesn’t solve my problem. I have no one to command the ballistas.”
I shrugged. “Give the command to Nisang.”
“Nisang commands the aerial unit and the Silver Company. He can’t take on more responsibility,” he reminded me.
“Odan then.” I yanked my fingers out of his hands and started tugging at the laces of his breeches.
“Odan is my personal guard.” He pushed my hands away.
I stuck out my bottom lip, pouting. “I thought I was your guard.”
