They dispersed as the only Naustrios woman had, leaving just eleven remaining. Two Volen, two Wrenyi—Asees included—and all seven of the Uskhanyans. Or eight, Saxony supposed, if she counted herself.

“I think I speak for all of Uskhanya when I say that those lot can go to the fire-gates,” Theodora said. “This war belongs to us all and we’ll fight it.”

“Hear, hear!” the other Uskhanyans yelled out.

Some muttered cowards under their breaths and though Saxony tried to keep her face neutral—though she understood the fear of those who had left—she couldn’t help but secretly agree with the sentiment.

“The Uskhanyan Lieges amongst us can join you,” Lionus said. “But why should the rest of us? I do not wish to be callous, but Ashwood exists in your realm. If we join you, it will make us a target.”

“We are already targets, Lionus,” Asees said.

She stepped to Saxony’s side and Saxony felt oddly strengthened by that small act of solidarity.

“Ashwood attacked my Kin in the realm of Wrenyal. In the holy city of Granka.”

Lionus blinked. “He came for the holy city?” he asked. “Why were we not told of such things?”

“I was busy trying not to be killed,” Asees said, adopting Karam’s sarcastic monotone. “He slaughtered many of my people and took the rest of us as puppets. Myself included.”

Asees swallowed and Saxony could feel her grief like a fist. If Ashwood hadn’t intercepted her letter to her family, then maybe Asees’s Kin would have been safe. There was no limit to the guilt she would carry for that.

“If it weren’t for Saxony’s Kin and a group of buskers, I would not have survived,” Asees said. “I understand your hesitance. I was the same when they first asked for my help, and it cost me my people.”

“Ashwood doesn’t care about borders and realms,” Saxony said. “Nobody will be safe, just like we weren’t safe the last time war came for us.”

“An army of Crafters has never been done before,” Lionus said. “We would be the first to create our own resistance to the world.”

“And change it for the better,” Saxony said. “It’s not just about defeating Ashwood, but creating true peace in the world. Right now, I even have buskers from across the realm—crooks and criminals who I thought were the most untrustworthy of all—pledge themselves to this army and this cause. We’re uniting against a common enemy to create an uncommon future.”