Page 318 of Scorched Earth

Her friend laughed, then slung an arm around Lydia’s waist and pulled her back to the rail. “Thank you.”

Lydia wrapped her own arm around Teriana, squeezing her tight. The sun slowly slipped beneath the horizon, but the moon was rising, illuminating them with a soft silver glow. “It isn’t going to be easy. A lot of people hate him, and rightly so.”

“I know.” Teriana sighed. “But the same could be said of me.”

“We’ve all done things we aren’t proud of.”

“Yeah.” Teriana rested her head against Lydia’s shoulder. “Marcus said to me that heroes are not pristine. That they’re covered in blood and mud from fighting in the trenches. I know that we needed to get dirty to win this fight, but… I think that there comes a point when the grime is too thick to wash off. A point when you stop trying to be the hero, so that new heroes can step forward. People whose hopes and dreams and ambitions aren’t yet smeared with the filth that comes with seeing them through.” She shook her head. “It sounds bittersweet, but saying it makes me feel as though a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.”

Lydia nodded. “Yedda told me that you declined to take on your mother’s role as triumvir.”

“Yes. I don’t want to lead, and I don’t think my peoplewantto be led by me, not really.” Teriana was quiet for a long time, then she said, “After Marcus and I made it through the Teeth, we sailed down the Savio on a little riverboat. Living each day as it came, seeing the world and meeting its people, and I don’t think I’ve ever been happier in all my life. That’s what I want, and I… I think that’s what he needs. For us to go where the wind and the sea takes us, doing small goods where we can. But what about you? What will you and Killian do?”

Lydia considered the question for a long time. “We are both marked by gods. Marked to serve the people who have faith in the Six, and that is core to both of us. But I hope we can serve in a way that feels right. Many of those who’d had their lives stolen by Rufina’s mark came back to us, but not everyone. And many more still were slain in combat or died from famine and are with the Six now. There are so many countless children without families, without anyone to care for them, and I think we need them as much as they need us.”

“Again, our paths lead us away from each other,” Teriana said with a sigh.

“But those same paths always bring us back together again.”

“You’re both cheating!” Bait shouted. He was glowering at Marcus and Killian, who had both already amassed piles of coins in front of them. They frowned at Bait, then leaned back over their game, and as Lydia watched, Bait gave her a sly wink.

“Look at those egos,” Teriana muttered. “I think we ought to go down there so I can beat them both properly. I can try teaching youagain, but we’ll win more gold if you keep the cups full and Killian distracted.”

Lydia laughed, everything feeling like it was settling into place. Like she was exactly where she needed to be.

“But first, I need to set a course.” Teriana pulled her in the direction of the helm. “You ready to go home?”

Lydia caught hold of her friend’s hand. “I’m already there.”