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Misha still held onto Iryana. “I’m sorry I’ve been so distant,” she whispered once Hadima was far enough.

“It’s okay,” Iryana assured her. “I don’t hold it against you.”

She leaned down and kissed the top of Misha’s fur-covered hat, crusted with snow. Her little sister took her hand and pulled Iryana toward the rest of the group.

They had chosen a series of alcoves on the side of the mountain, spots that were only accessible from a few easily guarded passes. They were windy, the view a bit terrifying, and the ground was jagged and rocky, but it was one of the few places they’d be safe enough to build a fire. Everyone was clambering for the spots furthest from the edge and tucked more safely into the alcove. They were disappearing fast.

Iryana took inventory of those who had already arrived and started checking the rest off her list as they finally reached the alcoves. Vaneshta’s and Tonhald’s group was back, and she saw Vabihn’s family. Soyara seemed to be hanging in there, but she hadn’t found Pyetar yet. His group was back, so he should have been too. She tried not to worry.

Her grandmother hadn’t made it yet, but Iryana knew she was a few groups back, and she couldn’t be too far given how Limhiz’s staff was still helping.

“Please tell me we never have to do that again!” Edvar exclaimed as they stumbled into the alcove. “I about fell to my death a thousand times.”

“You did not,” said the soldier tied next to Edvar in a bored, monotone voice.

Kladara focused on untying them, checking in with Iryana to see who had made it back already.

Most of the teams had arrived, more coming in right after nightfall, but some were still missing. She hoped most of them were just slow on the ledge or had decided to hunker down instead of risking the ledge at night.

A young soldier ran up to her, nodding quickly. “Third, the general has asked if you can help cover the southern pass.”

She sighed with relief at the thought of seeing Pyetar whole and safe. “Of course. I’ll be right there.”

She sought out Kladara to hand over the list so she could keep track of any groups that arrived.

“They took all the best spots!” Kladara was complaining as Iryana walked up to her.

“Drop it, okay? We don’t need to fight over it. Can you handle checking in the teams that arrive?”

Kladara frowned at her, but she nodded and took the list.

Iryana headed toward the narrow pass the soldier had referenced. As she entered, other soldiers were carrying a few of the injured back to be treated, gouges along their bodies and blood dripping off them.

Then she saw the large form of Pyetar in the pass, a silhouette against the moonlit sky.

“Pyetar!” she cried.

He turned, his whole body loosening as he ate up the distance between them in a few quick strides. His arms were around her, holding her close. Even through his coat, she could hear his heart beating loudly.

“I wasn’t sure you’d made it back yet,” Pyetar breathed. “I was getting worried.”

“I was worried about you too.”

Pyetar tilted her chin up, his fingers gentle on her jaw. “Your face is a bit scratched up.”

“Getting across the ledge was eventful,” she admitted. “But my group all made it safely.”

A sound drew their attention to the mouth of the pass. Dakii. Trying to guard a narrow pass had its advantages in that only one beast could fit at a time, but it also meant only a couple fighters could be side by side.

Iryana and Pyetar fought them off together, working easily with each other like usual. They were down to the last two beasts when one dakya surprised them by jumping over the other and grazed her, knocking her into the rock wall before Pyetar pinned it to the ground.

“You’re bleeding,” Pyetar growled, only tearing his eyes from the pass for a moment.

“I’ll have Hadima look at it once the major sends people to take over.” It didn’t take long. Two fresh soldiers ran out to relieve them, Pyetar helping them drag the dakya bodies away while Iryana went to have her injuries looked at. They felt minor, but it was always good to check.

When she made it back to the alcoves, the cut on the side of her head bleeding and her arm throbbing, it sounded like war had broken out.

Iryana groaned with dread.