Zezili’s week of leave was complicated again by the arrival of her near-cousin, Tanasai Laosina, as Zezili and Monshara completed their plans for their assault on the largest of the dajian camps, circling around each other in Zezili’s increasingly cramped estate.

Tanasai’s arrival was heralded by pounding on the door and the screaming of Zezili’s name. Her usual greeting. She enjoyed getting drunk and blaming the hardships and shortcomings of her life on Zezili.

Zezili had given Daolyn permission to admit near-kin, but even Zezili was surprised when Tanasai burst through the estate and pounded directly into Zezili’s chamber where Zezili sat astride Anavha.

Tanasai shouted, “Why did she give you this campaign? I was up next for a grand campaign and you gutted it!”

Zezili pushed herself off Anavha and stood, naked. “What’s this about?”

Tanasai’s dark eyes were wild, red-rimmed. She sounded as if she’d been drinking. She pulled off her helm, letting loose her matted mane of stringy curls.

“I come home and the whole city’s talking about it, her giving you some secret campaign. Is she having you take over my legion, too? Is she trying to take off my title?”

Anavha was reaching for his clothes, making little ducking motions, as if hoping Tanasai would not see him.

“She said nothing of the sort,” Zezili said. “Go sit down. I’ll dress. Daolyn will bring you some… tea.”

“I want answers, near-cousin,” Tanasai spat.

Tanasai trudged into the courtyard.

Zezili dressed and met Tanasai in the sitting room. Tanasai had already broken the lock on the liquor cabinet and acquired a flagon of wine.

“So, what’s this business?” Tanasai asked.

“I’m fucking my husband,” Zezili said. “What’s your business?”

“You know what I’m asking.”

“It’s just an errand for the Empress. Not a campaign. We won’t invade Aaldia or Tordin without you,” Zezili said.

“You better not.”

“I’m on leave.”

“And making the most of it,” Tanasai sneered.

“I don’t have to pay for sex,” Zezili said. Zezili had shared Anavha with her four blood-sisters, but not Tanasai. She couldn’t abide the idea of Tanasai touching anything that belonged to her.

“She always liked you best,” Tanasai said, and Zezili wondered if Tanasai meant her mother or the Empress. Likely both. Zezili’s mother had hated Zezili, but when Zezili’s mother’s sister died, she had hated the burden of caring for wild-haired Tanasai more.

“You know what you came to know,” Zezili said. “Go tend your pasture of drunks.”