I suppress a nervous roll of my shoulders. I’ve managed to hide the full extent of my flashbacks from Gatha so far, but this one had come at the worst possible time. “Got careless, I guess,” I say.

She gives me a strange look, but Tal and Zivah have stopped to wait for us.

Gatha nods at Tal. “Thank you for protecting my fighter. We will be in touch.”

In the corner of my eye, I see Zivah sigh in relief.

The village leader raises his hand. “Actually, Gatha, if you are able to stay longer, we may have more to discuss.”

Gatha leans back in surprise. “Right now?”

“You say you’ve been trying to get inside the Amparan army. I think there’s a way.” Tal looks to me and Zivah. “It involves these two.”

Must the man detain us now? I’m tired and stiff, and I’ve had my share of humiliation for the day. Also, I don’t like how he just grouped me and the healer together.

My warlord nods decisively. “Speak, then. We have time.”

Tal turns to Zivah. “Is there anywhere we might sit?”

“Under the awning,” Zivah says. “I never touch the chairs, so it should be safe for you and the warlord.”

Funny that I’m the only one who can enter her home with no fear of plague. But I doubt we’ll be feeling the kinship of fellow plague survivors anytime soon. As Zivah leads the others away, I lag behind and whistle for the crows. Preener comes to sit on my shoulder. “Scout,” I command softly. He takes wing, ready to sound the alarm if anyone comes close. Call me paranoid, but I’m not about to entrust my safety to this Tal character.

Once we’re settled, Tal speaks again. “I suppose some background is necessary for the two of you to understand what Gatha and I have been working toward. As you might know, Dara leaders have long advocated for peace in the face of the Amparan invasion.”

I make a disdainful sound in the back of my throat. I suppose “peace” is one way to frame cowardice. Gatha glares at me.

Tal continues speaking. “But the yoke of the Amparans is hard to carry. Over the past years, they’ve demanded greater and greater tribute, and recent events make me fear that things will get even worse. This is why I first made contact with Gatha. We’ve been sharing information to see how we can help each other.”

Help each other. Would Tal really take up a sword and fight alongside us for freedom?

“Leader Tal,” asks Zivah, “are you thinking open rebellion?” From the shock in her voice, you’d think Tal was suggesting they dig up ancestral graves. Gods forbid a Dara maiden get her hands dirty.