“Will you come with me to the other brigades? Help me convince them to join us?”
Pyetar looked toward her, his gaze trailing over her, but it was like he was seeing something else. She hadn’t a clue where his mind went, but eventually she heard him swallow.
His voice came out low. “We should start with the North and South River Brigades. They might be small, but they’re the only ones who would risk acting without the King Commander’s approval right now.”
Relief flooded through her. He was going to help. “Okay.”
“We’ll need to come up with a reason to leave the fort.” Pyetar’s voice hardened as a determined look crossed over his features. “It’s time to end this.”
They’d work together this one last time, at least.
“Vaneshta is already working on a cover. And we need to go as soon as possible.”
He looked at her, pain flashing in his eyes. “Alright.”
She offered him a grateful smile, but inside she was breaking.
Iryana met Vaneshta behind the stairs at the estate after dinner, as requested. It was loud in the hall, and Iryana had brought a bottle of honeywine to make it look like they were just chatting and drinking.
Vaneshta leaned close. “The outposts that Pyetar has, the ones you told me about, for staying out of the dakii’s notice while he’s traveling? I need him to draw them on a map for me.”
“Okay, I’ll tell him,” Iryana answered, not sure how that was going to help them.
“The dakii’s paths have been disturbed lately.” Vaneshta smiled. “No idea how that happened.”
Iryana rolled her eyes. Vaneshta was obviously to blame.
“We’re going on a scouting mission,” Vaneshta continued. “Pyetar’s entire squad. We will each be assigned a watch point in groups of two or three, hunkering down for a week to chart the dakii movements.”
“That’s brilliant.” Iryana grinned at her roommate. “What an innovative idea from our youngest sergeant.”
Vaneshta punched her lightly in the arm. “The major certainly thought so; Lidishta helped me sell him on it. I’ve been given full command of the operation.”
“Karvek is probably happy to get his brother away from Myura River while he works on his war plans,” Iryana mused.
The hall door opened, and Iryana clamped her mouth shut to avoid being overheard. Vaneshta slumped as someone turned into the hallway, starting a drunken-sounding tirade about root vegetables. Iryana’s heart pounded, but she pretended to be unwillingly trapped in the conversation. Took a sip of the wine.
Thankfully, the other soldier hurried past quickly once he heard what Vaneshta was talking about, likely hoping to avoid being similarly trapped.
The moment they were alone again, Vaneshta straightened. With any hint of stupor gone.
“You’re surprisingly good at that,” Iryana observed.
“I do it more than you think.” Vaneshta winked.
Iryana chuckled. “Pyetar said the River Brigades have their new headquarters at a fortress halfway between here and Rudni Castle, so it will take a few days to get there. And then we—”
“You’ll have to make it quick, but that will work. I will have you assigned with me, and Pyetar with Lidishta. To avoid suspicion.”
“You’ll be alright on your own?”
“Lidishta and I will work together, splitting the time between the two watch locations.”
Iryana nodded, hoping Vaneshta and Lidishta wouldn’t tear each other’s heads off while they were alone for a week. They’d been getting along well so far in their planning, united under mutual hatred, but that might only last so long.
“Good, when do we start?”
“First thing in the morning. Tell Pyetar and get ready,” Vaneshta said urgently, and then swung back toward the hall, gait slouched as she stumbled slightly.
