“So no one’s left at Boellium?” It seemed like such a foreign concept, like a ribcage without a heart.
“Svenna and the Librarian Enora, and most of the Tenth Line conscripts are still on Boemouthe, even if they aren’t behind Boellium’s walls,” Viana said softly.
It was so good to see them, I hadn’t realized quite how much their safety had been playing on my mind. Somewhere in my time in Boellium, they’d become my family. I loved them, especially these four, who’d been through so many things with me, both in this life and ones before.
“And the rest of the Twelfth Line conscripts? I know the West is still in the grip of the drought. I didn’t mean to send them back to starvation.”
Viana reached out and patted my hand. “You didn’t send anyone anywhere. The country’s problems don’t fall on your shoulders, Avalon Halhed. The Lower Lines will survive as we always have, and if the news spreading through the streets of Hamor today is true, then it won’t be for long anyway.”
“What news?” Vox asked softly.
“That the Dawn Army has split. Your little speech earlier was heard not just by those in Fortaare, but in further barracks as well. That’s some impressive power,” Polus teased.
Iker narrowed his eyes. “The village at the southern border of Hamor hadn’t heard yet, but if he had that kind of range, it won’t be long.” He rubbed at the beard that had grown since our time on the road. “You say it’s split?”
Polus nodded. “Half of their ranks are Lower Lines, even if it isn’t anyone in power. The rank-and-file soldiers are almost exclusively Lower Six. You can have the biggest army, but noteven you can lead it around by the nose, if it decides to stand against you.”
“Will they join us?” Lierick asked, and Link shrugged.
“Time will tell. The Second Line has been gone for generations, so you’ve become an unknown quantity. At least the First Line is a known horror. There’s always a chance you’ll be worse.” He leaned forward, his eyes meeting Lierick’s. “If you want to secure their loyalty, you’ll need to prove that the Second Line isn’t just here to claim their own power and leave the rest of us out in the cold.”
We talked more, about the other conscripts, and the college, and what had happened after we left Eaglehoth. There’d been a huge scandal when Vox and Hayle hadn’t returned to Boellium.
Some people had said they’d murdered each other, their fight for my affections spilling over into bloodshed. Others had said they’d run off together, and judging by the sly look on Acacia’s face, perhaps the Twelfth Line had something to do with that rumor.
The more prevalent one was that they’d just been called to Fortaare for Conclave business, then hadn’t returned, due to the mold thing. Either way, no one really knew, and my name wasn’t brought up all that often.
Too soon, Hayle stood. “We better head to the hall and check in with my parents,” he said softly. Nerves struck me out of nowhere again.
I stood, and Viana came to hug me again. “They’ll love you. You’re incredibly easy to love,” she whispered into my ear, and I squeezed her back.
Acacia hugged me too. “We’ve got your back, Avalon. We stand where you stand—that’s what families do.”
I was going to cry. I wrapped an arm around both of them and held them tightly. “Thank you,” I breathed. “For everything.”
“We’ll be here when you’re done,” Polus added, patting me on the shoulder like a wayward little sister.
We waved goodbye, and Shay stood too. She leaned over and whispered something in Acacia’s ear, before kissing her cheek and moving after Vox.
I smiled at her, waggling my eyebrows between her and Acacia. “That looks cosy,” I teased her as we made it back to the street.
She looked haughtily around the guys, who all hovered closer to me in the crowd. “I believe I could say the same, Ninth.”
I grinned, because I guess she was right. “It’s not a bad thing. But just know that if you hurt her, I will make your life a misery.”
Shay scoffed. “If I hurt her,she’llmake my life a misery. You’ll be the least of my problems.” Even as she said those words, she smiled a little goofily. Well, as goofy as Shay got. “I promise, it means something to me too,” she said quietly.
I patted her arm. “You deserve something beautiful.”
Lierick halted in the street, tilting his head and making a face. “My father has landed at the port and is coming to meet with the Baron of the Third Line. He’s requested our presence.”
Letting out a relieved breath, I stepped to the side. “I’ll head back to the inn and wait for you guys to return then?”
Iker snorted, while Lierick looked apologetic. “He’d likeallour presence—yours included, Avie.”
Hayle wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Guess you’re meeting all the parents at once. Like ripping off a scab,” he crooned, and I winced at the visual. “They’ll love you, because I love you. Besides, you’ve already met my father, and he’s by far the scariest of my parents.”
I glanced at Lierick, who gave me what I’m sure he thought was a reassuring expression. But behind that, I could see the worry. His eyes flicked quickly to Vox, then away.
