Hadima’s careful scrawl had told her about a close encounter at the post a few days before and the higher tribute the 18th was now demanding. Likely to accommodate the influx of soldiers. She couldn’t stop wondering if Pyetar had been the one to deliver that demand. The thought made her grind her teeth. Still, being angry at Pyetar didn’t make her feel any better.Shehad done this—it was her fault.
Hopefully, it would be worth it in the end.
Iryana moved to get up, stew only half eaten, when a hand on her shoulder held her down. She fought her instincts to shield and shove them away; it would only make it worse.
She watched, eyes narrowed, as the golden-haired soldier stalked around the table and sat across from her. The other two soldiers with him stayed behind her.
Pepha, tense and wide-eyed, scooted down the bench, as far as she could from the soldier now sitting next to her.
“You’re the little unforged guardian, aren’t you?” He looked at her with an almost playful expression, smile too cruel to be pleasant.
Iryana opened her mouth to answer, but Vaneshta beat her to it, scooting down to be closer. “She abandoned one of the local guardian posts to join us. She may not be forged yet, but she’s earned her place on Major Darish’s first team.” Vaneshta met the man’s intensity with her own.
“That’scaptainto you, Sena,” the man snarled. “And we were talking to the little guardian. Besides, you’re not under the major anymore; you’re Pyetar’s.” He barked out a laugh.
Iryana watched Vaneshta’s jaw clench as she glanced between the three unwelcome soldiers. Iryana thought for a moment that her roommate was going to challenge them all to a fight then and there, but thankfully Vaneshta was smart enough to sit back.
Vaneshta already had a black eye and a bruised arm from one of the many fights she’d gotten into lately. She seemed on a mission to get the new soldiers in line and prove herself as a threat.
Not sure what to do about Vaneshta’s attempted defense, Iryana focused her attention on the soldier across from her. He was covered in lean muscles, not a bit of fat on him, and he wore that strength like entitlement. His belt was dark forest green with the silver studs that were awarded for leading large victories against the dakii.
“I apologize,Captain,” Iryana bit out. “I was a guardian, you’re right. I’m surprised you’ve even heard of me. Unfortunately, I haven’t been made aware of who you are.”
Vabihn snorted into his vodka down at the other end of the table.
“This is Captain Gintar Drolnol,” the man behind her left shoulder said.
“Don’t worry, Voor,” Gintar laughed. “We’re new here, but we’ll earn our reputation in no time.” He said the last part like a threat.
Voor chuckled, and Iryana tensed.
The truth was that she knew exactly who he was. Of all the new soldiers that had arrived, this man was a ringleader of sorts. He’d been the one carrying the basket of poppy to Karvek that day. She’d seen him throwing his weight around the fort, even more than Pyetar did, and had asked who he was. From everything she’d seen and heard, he was vicious, egotistical, and power-hungry.
“What do you want, Captain?” she asked calmly.
Gintar smiled again. “I was just curious about you. After all, this team of yours is apparently the top ranked, yet here you are. Unforged. Not sure how you managed that.”
“It’s interesting,” Voor added. “She must have really… impressed Darish.”
“She’s a good fighter,” Vaneshta ground out. “She fought for her spot in the pit.” Iryana’s roommate might criticize her constantly in private, but thankfully she stood up for everyone on the team to outsiders.
“Hmm, maybe…” Gintar trailed off as if considering it, focusing in on Iryana. “But from what I’ve heard, her performance on missions leaves much to be desired.”
He leaned forward, his eyes dark as the night outside the windows.
Iryana didn’t know how to argue that. He wasn’t wrong. She had messed up a lot lately.
“So, that leads one to think.” His eyes tracked down her front. “Her performance elsewhere must be much better.”
She stiffened.
“And have you heard about all the time she spent helping the general?” Voor crooned. “Alone, night after night?”
Gintar chuckled. “Really paints a picture, doesn’t it?”
“I think you need a demonstration, Captain,” Voor pointed out, his voice even closer to Iryana’s ear, and she forced herself not to flinch.
Iryana’s hands ached from gripping the bench.
