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“We’re going to encourage the people of Bartolo to feel sympathetic to the Rising Wave. And to hinder the Kassian army where they can.”

“Except we’re going to have to get through the Rising Wave to do it, aren’t we?” Oscar frowned. “They’ll already have left for the city this morning. If we come along from the same direction, we’ll be pegged as spies straight away.”

“That’s why we’re crossing the river and coming from the other direction,” Ava said. She had proposed this to Luc herself, but she wasn’t at all sure about crossing the river. It loomed large in her mind as an impenetrable barrier.

That feeling hadn’t changed by the time they reached the river bank late that afternoon, nor as Oscar and Deni helped her across the swiftly flowing water.

She stood, shivering and miserable, on the other side as the two men made a fire, and only started to relax when the flames began to thaw her out.

Tomorrow they’d make their way through the forest onto the road into Bartolo, and start their campaign.

“How far do you think the Rising Wave would have got toward Bartolo?” she asked.

“Depends how fast they were moving, but maybe halfway there is my guess.” Oscar stared down the river toward the town.

“They’ll be splitting up tonight, doubling back to go around the back of the hills.” Deni sounded a little wistful.

“Do you wish you were with them?” Ava asked.

He shook his head, his teeth gleaming white in the firelight. “I’m happy to sew seeds of discontent. It’s what the Kassian did in Venyatu for a long time before they tried to annex us.”

“And you, Oscar?”

Oscar leaned back, tipped his head back to look at the stars. “Ever since I was forced into a Chosen camp, I’ve dreamed of taking them on. I got to fight them hand to hand on the battlefield the day the Commander turned us against them, and it felt good, but this.” He turned to look at her, and there was deep satisfaction in his eyes. “This is better. I want to subvert them. I want them to be confused about what’s happening.”

“Well then, let me get started.” Ava had been feeling too cold and stiff to sew before now, but Oscar had inspired her.

She pulled out her sewing while the two soldiers kept watch.

* * *

They entereda chaotic Bartolo a few hours behind a large part of the Kassian army.

It was easy to walk over the wide bridge and slip among the townspeople. The streets were crowded as everyone came out to gawk at the units marching through.

They’d plaited Deni’s hair down his back and tucked it under his shirt, then looped his scarf around his neck to hide the Venyatux style of his hair. Ava kept glancing over at him, he looked so different without his high ponytail.

The three of them stayed together as a loose unit, wandering as if alone but always in sight of each other, eavesdropping on the gossiping citizenry.

“So, only some of them are staying in town, the rest are going out to meet the Rising Wave on the plains, is what I heard.” Deni handed Ava a pie from a nearby cart and she bit into it suspiciously.

“Oh, it’s actually nice. Apricot and spicy lamb.”

He grinned, and handed one to Oscar as he joined them.

“I heard the same as you, a small contingent staying here in case any of the Rising Wave manage to get through the main army, the rest headed for open warfare on the plain.” Ava didn’t believe it, though.

“I also heard some of them were going north up the river to patrol it and stop the Rising Wave crossing anywhere along the way.”

Ava smiled at the thought.

Deni gave her a look. “What’s the smile?”

“I might have left some surprises for the ones on river patrol when we were there last week.”

“Surprises?” Oscar asked around a mouthful of pie.

“Nasty ones.”