I tugged Kasha and Nanaea into a hug, burying my face in their hair, and met Dagan’s eyes over their shoulders. My family.

“Stop! You’re crushing me!” Kasha wriggled away and dumped Nanaea’s linens into her arms, then bolted to my medical tent to see Rish.

“I still believe I should go with all of you. I could make my case before the ensis to reinstate myself on the throne as soon as it is abdicated.” Arwia reached out and tentatively adjusted a warrior’s necklace.

Nanaea stuck her hands on her full hips. “Remember, I have plans for a costume that will make the ensis worship the ground you walk on. It’s necessary! We must make them believe you were strong enough to escape from the tomb. You must look like a warrior maiden who can lead the city in no uncertain terms.” She eyed Arwia’s simple, drab tunic in a dirty beige. “And you cannot do it in that.”

Dagan walked back to me with another trader from Laraak we’d hired to add to the authenticity, securing daggers on their belts.

“Ready to go?”

“We are.” I pulled Nanaea into another hug and murmured into her rose-scented hair. “Look after Rish. Give him the tincture I’ve been telling you and—”

“I know,” Nanaea interrupted, holding me at arm’s length. “Take good care of him. I will. Don’t worry about us. You go and do not be afraid, you hear me?” She kissed my cheek, her eyes suddenly bright with tears. “And come back to me safe and sound, or I’ll be mad at you forever.”

“I promise.” I laid my hand on the top of her head, which was warm from the sun, letting it fall to cup her cheek before pulling away.

As the Koru, Dagan, the trader, and I headed past the edge of the Laraak tents, Nanaea and Arwia linked arms, meandering toward my medical tent. Dagan joined me at my side as we set our sights on the walls of Alu, glimmering pink and gold in the late-morning heat.

“Sheep dung, huh?” he asked.

When I went to swat him, he’d already darted away.

Gala, his face gray, holding an arm to his midsection, was at the gate when we arrived with the eight Koru, and I resisted the urge to grab Dagan’s dagger and press it to his neck and make him release Iltani or face death. But I would mess everything up for Iltani’s family if I did, and I couldn’t break my promise to stay silent and let her work her magic. Soon, I promised myself as he waved us through, tying the sack of coins that Dagan handed him to the belt at his waist.

Soon.

At least for now, it appeared that the tincture I’d given Iltani was doing its worst. I only prayed to Selu that it had prevented him from taking her to wife.

“Ummi,” I whispered.

“What, A-zu?” Ummi craned her neck around to look at me.