I scan the crowd assembled in the large circular weapons room, everyone awaiting Weapons Master Jyl Hin’s arrival. Blue torchlight casts them in a moody glow, the armory’s stone walls filled with countless runic weapons hung in neat, deadly rows.

Min Lo’s dark eyes blaze, the silence she’s met with only stoking her passion. “The people fleeing here have no idea what the waters of the Zonor River are like. Storms are forecast for tonight, and there’s always the danger of migrating kraken. Vu Trin scouts have spotted a number of Westerners moving toward the river. They need our help.”

I let out a long sigh. Always the revolutionary, Minyl. Always taking the unpopular political side and pushing others to join you.

“And by rescuing these Kelts and Urisk,” Heelyn snaps back, “you’re encouraging more to come and putting more at risk.”

“You think they’ll just stay put if we don’t save some of them from drowning?” Minyl’s question sounds calm, but I can sense her outrage rising.

“I think,” Heelyn says, “that if we’re not careful, the Eastern Realm will become the Western Realm. The Kelts and Urisk are as backward as the Gardnerians—”

“I’m quite clear on how you feel, Heelyn,” Minyl throws down in an obvious attempt to shut Heelyn up.

“No women are allowed in the Keltish military,” Heelyn reminds her. “Women are forbidden from bearing arms. All because their holy book tells them so. The same holy book the Crows follow minus a few pages, I might add. Is that what you want here in the Eastern Realm?”

“Have you forgotten that the Kelts were our allies in the Realm War?” Min Lo shoots back.

Heelyn spits out a sound of derision. “So were the Amaz. Who kill all men who wander into their territory. Who leave male babies in the woods to die.”

Min Lo takes a step toward Heelyn, her fists tight around the hilts of the curved swords sheathed at her sides. “All I know, Heelyn,” she counters, “is that while we stand here and debate, families are about to try and cross the Zonor with absolutely no knowledge of the undertow that was magicked into its center during the Realm War. Or how fast the storms and kraken can move in.” Minyl glances around the room with what feels like a silent plea for compassion. “Don’t you see? This could be any of us, if we were born in a place in turmoil. People are on their way here as we speak. Let’s help them. Who’s with me? Ung Li has granted me permission to use four rune skiffs.”

I take in the uncomfortable looks being traded around the uniformly Noi apprentices and soldiers, save Trystan, and my sympathy rises for Minyl when no one volunteers.