Yeshar moved up into line behind us. My spine stiffened.
“Whatever, I want to hear more about this betrothed of yours.” Pasha said, changing the subject again.
“He's a real winner,” I muttered, wondering how much longer we would be stuck waiting in line. “His name is Jessarian. I'm breaking off our engagement before graduation.” Yeshar’s eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly as he eavesdropped.
“What?! Why? Not because of Instru—” Pasha asked.
“Not because of him!” I grumbled. “I planned to break the engagement even before I met him. Jessarian just...he isn't my type.” I was proud of myself for the diplomatic neutrality of that statement.
“A likely story,” Sarina said.
“It's the truth,” I said. “I even told my family about it before entering the Mistrun.”
“Actually, speaking of family, I need to borrow you after we finish here.” Sarina said, looking at me.
“Sure.” More trainees moved up to drop off their names with the Priest. The Priest collecting the names wasn't Instructor Weavir after all.
“I wish they’d let us out of the outpost for family reunions at least,” Pasha said. “My brother is turning ten next week.”
“Lisia has a reunion coming soon,” Yeshar said from behind us. “With a former acquaintance of ours.”
“Oh?” I asked.
“Nikolach.” Ice slid down the back of my neck at the name. “Out, as of tomorrow.”
Pasha wrinkled her nose. “Who’s Nikolach? Don’t tell me you’ve got another guy after you, too.”
“Leave some for the rest of us,” Sarina added.
I waved away their commentary, trying to look unaffected in front of Yeshar, simultaneously without revealing that I’d been in the Reformatory to either Pasha or Sarina. “He’s someone I wish I didn’t know.”
Yeshar shrugged. “He’s inefficient, but he is useful, in his own predictably rough ways. And you have a way of attracting attention.”
Small bumps budded down my forearms, and rubbing them didn’t ward them off. The ease of the laugh I managed was crippled by the force required to produce it. Yeshar was choosing his words carefully, to prevent Pasha and Sarina from overhearing and understanding his true meaning.
“Lately, he’s been more of a headache than helpful, considering the recent state of my affairs,” Yeshar continued. “I hope any reunion between you two is also the last.”
I couldn’t tell if he wanted me to stay away from Nikolach, or for Nikolach and I to kill each other. Either way, I wasn’t about to take advice from Yeshar.
“You should really talk things out with him directly,” I said. “Work through your differences.” Yeshar’s face remained as impassive as stone. Thankfully, Sarina and Pasha had begun a separate debate about which weapon they’d choose for specialization.
Pasha stepped up to submit her name and gold coin as an entrant, Sarina following behind her. I mirrored her example, spelling out my name for the Priest, handing him my fee as an entrant, and trailing behind Sarina as she moved to a deserted end of the courtyard.
“So,” she said as soon as I reached her, wringing her hands and fidgeting. “I need a small favor.”
“Sure, what's going on?”
“It's my family. I know I don't talk about them much but,” she let out a heavy sigh. “That's because they're a lot. Lemme back up.” She took a steadying breath. “My family doesn't know I'm training to become a Voyager.”
“What?” My brain couldn’t comprehend her meaning.
“I left the day of the Mistrun without telling them where I was going before getting my assigned service. My birthday wasn't until after the Mistrun, but I lied and participated anyway because I needed to get away,” she said.
It took me three slow seconds to realize the echo of everything she'd just told me to my own arrival here. “So they don't know you're here,” I repeated.
“Yeah, and I'm not about to tell them,” she said. “But that's where the favor comes in. See, my Mom,” she continued wringing her hands. “I don't wanna tell her where I am, but I know she's probably worried about me. And I don't want her to worry.”
“You've been here for months,” I said. “Don't you think she's already worried?”
