Beside her, Grandmother Vesima settled on one of the benches in the field they were told to wait in. The thin, rushing river coursed behind them. It would start freezing soon, the first frost of the season having happened days prior.
Iryana squinted her eyes, searching along the snow-capped peaks until she saw them. The envoy were mere specks, but they grew until Iryana could make out the air-forged gliders. Each glider was streaked with golden air magic, the wings so translucent they looked like flashes of sunlight. They swirled with the currents in the air, like birds.
When the party landed, releasing their forgings and smoothing their clothes, one woman stepped forward. Iryana immediately knew it was the duchess.
Her clothes were fine but practical, loose trousers and a dress that was far shorter than anything a woman who was not a fighter would typically wear. A bright golden sash wrapped around her waist, matching the golden embroidery that looked like wings climbing up her loose sleeves.
The duchess was not a beautiful woman, not like the paintings of fine ladies that Iryana remembered seeing when they still lived in Klees. But there was a proud elegance in her features. Long nose, a wide expressive mouth, and brows that were darker and thicker than you’d expect from her fine, pale hair.
Iryana bowed low, not waiting for her grandmother.
“Welcome, Guardians.” The duchess inclined her head toward them with respect. “My representative told me about your plans. I had little hope you would be successful, but it seems I was wrong.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Vesima said with a proud smile. “It was all thanks to my Third, my granddaughter and new heir.”
“Hmm.” The duchess looked Iryana over carefully, measuring her. “I have heard about you, Iryana Kleesolda. They say you managed to forge in a metal well.”
“Yes, and with our new agreement, the Kleesolds and any from the settlement who wish to, may journey to the metal well in the territory of the 18th Brigade,” Iryana added. It was a huge boon for them, and the other guardian families holding the border of their settlement.
She pulled the scroll and handed over one copy of the contract.
“Hmm.” The duchess skimmed it, flipping the pages like only someone used to reviewing documents could. “There are a lot of opportunities with this. But if we are going to hold your part of the border, the assurances to reduce the dakii need to be fulfilled. Quickly.”
Iryana exchanged a glance with her grandmother. “We have a few ideas for how to deal with that, Your Grace. The 18th Brigade is also re-motivated to keep them out of the area.”
“See that they do.”
“Your Grace,” the First said carefully. “Does this mean you support the Kleesolds keeping their post?”
“It does. But the dakii must be dealt with. Swiftly. I will expect frequent reports.”
Relief flooded Iryana. She had hoped, even assumed, things would go that way. But hearing it was something else entirely.
“Of course, thank you, Your Grace.”
The duchess waved off her thanks and offered her first smile of the meeting.
Vesima glanced at Iryana. “There is one other thing you will find interesting, Your Grace. Something we didn’t dare put in a letter, but the news will spread soon enough.”
“What is it?” The duchess’s eyes narrowed.
Her grandmother gave Iryana a look that was more a demand than anything.
“To defeat the last general of the 18th, I was forged again. In water magic.” Iryana’s words were hesitant, and she feared how the woman would react.
“You are double-forged?” Her tone was disbelieving.
“Yes.”
The duchess was silent for a moment. “Prove it to me.”
Iryana took a step back and held out her hands. Her magic roiled painfully, but she formed her spear and staff in her hands. The duchess’s eyes widened.
“That’s not possible.”
“The man I killed, he was metal and fire forged, though not in the same way.”
The duchess was quiet, looking back at someone in her party, probably to make sure they would remember those details.
