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“The Venyatux like a wager.” He hesitated, but he had to tell them the lies the general had agreed to last night, so the story was not muddled. “You will hear that Ava is Venyatux, from the highland border with Skäddar, and that she is a spy for General Ru.”

Massi’s mouth dropped open. “Is that true?”

He shook his head. “But she was in danger, someone was following her out of Grimwalt, hunting her, and she pretended to be Venyatux to get into the safety of the column. The general knows the full story, and has agreed to pretend Ava was her spy and met me when we were both captured by the Kassian.”

“Why would General Ru agree to that?” Revek asked.

“Because Ava can help her with the Skäddar. Her parents were trade emissaries for Grimwalt, and she has some influence there. The Skäddar have agreed to spy on the border with Jatan and pass on information to the Venyatux in exchange for help with a northern trade alliance which includes Grimwalt. Ava will advocate for it with the people she knows.”

“You were busy last night.” Massi’s tone was neutral.

“I was.” He kept his tone just as neutral. “I’m looking forward to introducing you to Ava.”

“Who we have to pretend is Venyatux.” Revek lifted an eyebrow.

“Who you have to pretend is Venyatux. It will keep her safe in the Rising Wave, as much as it helps her with the Venyatux.”

“And what if others have heard us talking about her being Grimwaldian?” Revek asked.

“Who would have heard? We’ve only ever discussed her in private.”

Revek shrugged. “You never know.”

“Well, then say it was the story Ava gave to the Kassian in the hopes they would go easier on her, thinking her from a neutral country, rather than their enemies, the Venyatux.”

“That will work.” But Massi was looking at Revek strangely. “I doubt it will be necessary. I haven’t spoken of her to anyone but the four of us.”

Revek nodded. “Just covering all possibilities.”

The first line of the column appeared, the yakkuna pulling wagons containing tents and supplies, the soldiers ranged on either side of them.

The Rising Wave was almost doubling its numbers, and Luc felt a surge in pride and optimism. “We did it, Mass. We pulled it off.”

Massi leaned into him, elbowed his side. “More you than us, but yes. We’ve got the makings of a formidable army.”

He laughed. “The makings of one? I thought we had one.”

“We don’t know how well they can fight,” Revek reminded him.

“We’ll see soon enough. And if they need improvement, we have some time before we make it to Fernwell, if we don’t meet with any resistance.”

“They have to be willing to improve.” Revek sounded like he didn’t think they would be.

“Ava can help with that. They see her as one of their own.”

“Even though she isn’t,” Revek said.

“She is as far as we’re all concerned, from now on.” Luc turned to look at his old friend. He had been different since Luc had returned from his capture. Negative. Always quick to assume every obstacle was impossible to overcome.

“So we’re starting out with lies.” Revek tilted his head in challenge.

“Just like old times, my friend,” Luc reminded him. “Just like pretending to fight for the Kassian, and then betraying them on the battlefield, or had you forgotten you fight with the Turncoat King?”

Revek held his gaze for a beat and then looked away. “Of course not.”

“Is there something you want to tell me? Is something wrong?” Luc had wanted to ask this a few times in the months since he’d returned.

“No. I’m just tired. I want this to end.” Revek shrugged. Gave a lopsided smile. “Not all of us have met our heart’s choice and had a grand adventure with her, you know.”