Caledonia held her breath as they drew up to the dock and tied on; she clenched her fists as the crew began to disembark. And as the sight of a familiar face appeared before her, she could not have held herself back if she’d tried.

“Amina!” Caledonia rushed forward. The girl had barely set her feet on the dock before Caledonia wrapped her in a hug. Pisces was there, too, her arms adding another strong layer to their embrace.

“We thought we’d lost you,” Pisces said, her voice muffled by someone’s arm or cheek or hair.

“Spirits, girls, if you hold me any tighter, you still may.” Amina laughed as they reluctantly let her go. “It is good to see you, too.”

“It’s more than good,” Caledonia said, aware that her eyes were brimming with tears and her voice was strangled with the same. Her friend was here, she was alive and smiling, and she looked whole and healthy. “What happened? How did you survive?”

“I got pinned down right after the first explosions. I couldn’t get to you, so I decided to give you as much time as possible, but I was hit,” she said with a shrug, gesturing to a spot high on her left shoulder. “By the time I made my way to the northern canals, nearly everyone was gone, but I found a boat—fixed it—and made for the Hands. I wasn’t sure where you’d be by then and I needed medtech. Seemed like the best plan.”

“It was the best plan,” Caledonia agreed. “It is so good to see you,” she repeated.

“And it’s about to be better.” Amina stepped back and for the first time, Caledonia realized there was a second familiar face in the group.

“Osias of Kyrasi Water,” Caledonia said, raising her hands in greeting. It had been a full moon since their last encounter at the mouth of the Braids, but she would know his face anywhere. “Welcome to the Holster.”

Osias raised his hands, mirroring her gesture. “We have come to aid in your battle, Caledonia Styx.”

At Caledonia’s confused silence, Amina explained, “Sister came for the Hands. After word of your alliance with Tassos reached her, she saw an opportunity to expand her reach beyond Slipmark. I’m certain she regretted the decision.”

“If Amina had not come to us when she did, we would not have understood the scope of the danger,” Osias said, turning a reserved smile on Amina. “We did not come into this fight willingly, but we would like to help you end it.”

“Osias has brought forty-two of his fleet,” Amina said. “All smaller craft as you see, but they pack a much larger punch than you might expect.”