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Hadima offered a tentative smile. “I’ll think about it.”

“Whatever you decide, we’ll support you,” Iryana promised, and then took a deep breath.

“Also… I’ve been thinking about what you said, Hadi.” Iryana swallowed. “About Mom…”

Hadima sobered. “If you’re not ready, it’s okay.”

“No, I think it’s time. Forgiving myself has made it easier to think about forgiving her. I want to take it slow, but I’m ready.”

“I’ll give her a chance, too,” Misha sighed.

“I’ll send her an invitation to come visit when she’s ready.” Hadima smiled hopefully.

Iryana wrapped her sisters in a tight hug.

“As long as we’re all together, we can deal with the rest,” Hadima said.

“That’s what really matters,” Iryana agreed.

They pulled apart and Iryana couldn’t help but laugh, sending them all giggling again.

“What do you think about telling Pyetar to start the music and dancing?” Iryana grinned so hard her cheeks hurt.

“Absolutely. We won’t let him refuse us,” Hadima agreed.

“I’m willing to threaten him.” Misha’s eyes narrowed with intent.

“I am sure I can persuade him myself,” Iryana laughed.

Misha just gagged.

When they found Pyetar, he took in the three of them walking in his direction, and his eyes widened in fear.

Iryana considered the map spread out on the vast table before them.

It detailed which parts of the city would be salvaged for building supplies, which areas were already rebuilt with people living in the homes and opening shops and trades, and where the builders wanted to focus next. Areas beyond the city were marked as once being farmland or ranching land, with those that would be easiest to reclaim noted.

Simota Gyorola, former leader of the Ispinolvin Mines, was now heading the city’s building operations and food production, which were both dominated by the earth-forged from her previous settlement. She was one part of the council they had formed to make decisions about the city, as they had no true single leader. Pyetar represented the military on the council, ensuring they kept light patrols around the city and forces ready in case of attack, but also reporting on Vaneshta’s efforts in putting together a guard to police the city as it grew. Iryana, of course, represented the clan.

She spent her time communicating with the other nearby groups, ensuring things moved smoothly between those on the council, and having her clan help the city in whatever ways they could. There were plenty of cracks still in their efforts, things being neglected in favor of others. Iryana made sure those things didn’t become a problem. Basically, she did what a guardian was meant to: look out for the people.

They’d accomplished a lot in the last few weeks as the highlands melted and turned to mud, but it always felt like every time they solved one problem, two more took its place.

“The pilgrims from the earth temple have returned,” Simota said. “They are ready to return to their lives from before the beasts. There will be enough farmers now to divide up the land we’ve indicated between them.”

Iryana had been worrying about getting the crops planted in time. Her clan had plans to build a new home within the fortress where some of the fields used to be, now that most of the farms were being moved beyond the walls. But they had decided not to get started on that until they helped with the planting and field preparation.

“The metal-forged should return soon as well, once the roads are more passable,” Iryana added. The earth-forged could manage the mud, but most struggled to travel in it. “Keeper Tomislav said the reforgings were moving along successfully based on the last report.”

Some of the temples had been drained of magic, others weaker and possibly unable to forge new Istrins. But they’d sent pilgrimages to the closest temples to allow those who wanted to take a new path in life to change their forgings. Many of the retired soldiers turned spears and swords into hammers and chisels. Iryana was still considering what she would reforge her water staff into. Vaneshta was trying to convince her to see if she had enough magic for distilling equipment, but Iryana was thinking something else. She just wasn’t sure what. There was plenty of time to decide.

They’d heard Thelbiz ended up at Lake Vrasho after all, though they didn’t know if the move was permanent. She tried not to hold onto too much resentment for the gods, but it was difficult. Istri had been their battleground, bearing the collateral damage. And even with the war won, the gods were disruptive. Because the gods left, Istri had been forced to adapt in so many ways. They built temples and learned to forge themselves, developing the tattoos that marked them all. With the gods back, so many traditions would have to change again.

The wells still had magic for now, so Iryana forced herself not to fixate on those things.

Vaneshta reported on the state of the fort’s patrols and the redivision of the military. There were plenty of promotions to fill empty roles due to all the losses from the war, as well as replacing the many soldiers that retired.

“Midmarket is settled,” Pyetar reported next. “Ready to resume trade routes with the southern cities.”