“I don’t trust that shite bastard—begging your pardon—of not blighting us, with or without your daeva,” Lord Aden continued. “The first minister and the others are drawing up plans to mobilize our army and join Odalia. It would take a three days’ ride to Mithra’s Wall. There’s no hurry at the moment, he said—King Kance’s army’s expected to arrive around the same time too.” He looked downcast. “I’d been hoping I could still join up, but Stefan isn’t seeing things my way.”

“You’ve been blighted, and you still want to fight?”

“Besserly says as long as you don’t eat compromised food, the Blight’ll fade and you’ll be back to normal, right? These wards don’t make me feel any different. Like a hidden shield on me, right? Wouldn’t that mean I’ve got added protection? I mean, I can fish my own way and brew my own hops, and I can still hold a sword. What other problem ought I have if I go with the rest of the men?”

“Oh dear,” I said.

Lord Knox guffawed. “You must forgive him, Lady Tea. It’s the first battle he’ll be missing since that wrangle with that Tresean trawler at Montvaisin a year ago, on account of him being seasick. Stefan’s sending you over to Westmarchen Tower at the Finger, Aden, to keep a close eye out on any other strange ships coming in. The gods willing, you’ll have your share of action there.”

Aden sighed.

“I would like to apologize as well,” Likh said shamefacedly. “I misled you and your friends last night, Sir Knox. You were led to believe that I was…that I was a lady. Likh…in Odalia, Likh is a boy’s name. I joined the Willows out of a genuine sincerity to be an asha…but I shouldn’t have withheld this from any of you. Please forgive me.” He closed his eyes.

How many times had he confessed this in Kion, I thought, only to be met with derision and disgust? I felt terrible, not having known before.

All three Yadoshans stared incredulously at the asha before Knox and Aden threw their heads back in laughter. Balfour, on the other hand, looked stricken.

“Poor Bally here’s smitten with you!” Aden explained in between chortles, forgetting his own problem. “He was all doled out, asking Besserly questions about what he needed to be your patron and worrying how he’d go about it without causing you offense! We’ve traveled all the kingdoms, Lady Likh. And sure, there’s some right bastards, but we ain’t as narrow-minded as some of our kinsmen. No harm—well, except for poor Balfour’s broken heart here.”