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She needed to get the word out to as many people as she could.

The Speaker could not have control over everyone—if he did, he wouldn’t need her.

“We’ll overcome Grimwalt, just like we’ve overcome Kassia and Jatan.” Luc sounded completely sure of himself.

She hoped that was true.

She turned to Massi. “Luc says you’ll ride with us until we reach Versai, and then double back to Grimwalt from there, so I have time to write the letters you’re going to deliver.”

Massi’s mission would be dangerous. Ava would have to work some protection into her cloak.

“And if you find out anything about my friends, Tomas and Velda, please see what you can do to rescue them.” She paused, because that might put Massi in more danger than was fair. She drew in a breath. “Or rather, send a message or make a note of where they may be, so when you get back, I can see what I can do about getting them home.”

“They’re important to you?” Massi asked.

She nodded.

“Then I will do what I can.”

Chapter 34

The second time they approached Fernwell, it was as troops coming home, rather than besiegers.

Some of the Rising Wave, including some riding with them now, Ava knew, would be heading back to Cervantes as soon as they could, but for now the mood was light and eager, and their welcome was assumed.

She hoped that was true, that General Ru had managed to keep her grip on the slippery hammer handle of power while she and Luc had both been absent.

Their numbers had swelled—more were coming back than had left, but that was because some of the old warriors had wanted to see Fernwell and the Rising Wave’s victory with their own eyes, after years of guerrilla warfare with the Kassians.

Some of Kikir’s fellow Skäddar had asked for permission to accompany them, too, to see Fernwell and to integrate with the Rising Wave, and although Kikir had not come with them, needing to finally get home and speak to the Skäddar Collective, she and Luc had happily agreed to their request.

Two of their new members rode beside her and Luc—Sierra and her baby, Roan. They had decided to come with the Rising Wave to Fernwell because Sierra’s heart’s choice, Roan’s father, Rory, was here. And everyone knew he would leave immediately to go home when he heard the news of Roan’s injury.

“Why not go to him, so he can see all is well straight away, instead?” Sierra had asked, and Luc had conceded the point.

They had reached Versai the same day Ava had signed the treaty with the Jatan, arriving late in the night.

The healers Luc had rescued had been treating the cut with moss and pastes, and the baby was much better, so she had waited until the next morning to stitch the wound.

She had sewn in healing and strength, but she hadn’t thought of the scar, she realized afterward. She had been so intent on working quickly to minimise his discomfort that he may not have one.

Hopefully it would be put down to his being young.

They had parted ways with Massi and left for Fernwell straight after, and had ridden hard.

Happily, because Deni and Taira were considering going to look for them, they had met up with Oscar, Carrie and Tras on the second day. Their relief at finding her safe was palpable, and she had ridden with them for hours, exchanging stories with them in low voices, because they were still trying to pretend to everyone else that Deni had brought her up to the border to sign the treaty with the Jatan.

Six days after they’d left Versai, in the late afternoon, the walls of Fernwell loomed before them.

Clustered near the gate was the tent city that housed the Rising Wave troops, and with a whoop of happiness, some of the unit raced ahead, ululating as they approached.

A cry went up, and from the walls, Ava heard a horn blowing.

“Since when do we use a horn?” She couldn’t help the sudden acceleration of nerves.

“The soldiers in the camp wouldn’t be acting like they are if there was a change in who was in charge,” Luc said, but his eyes were narrowed and he was taking in everything.

“Let us go ahead,” Ava told Sierra. “Get someone to show you where Rory’s tent is in the camp, and wait to hear it’s safe before you go into the city.”