I wanted to go home. Leave this crazy place with its crazy people.
Crazy leader, I amended. The people were okay.
But I couldn’t just yet. Not if there was even a slim chance that Tessia could come with me. She didn’t want to be near my mother anymore either. But it wasn’t until after I’d left Niralessa sitting there on the ground that I realized I’d forgotten to ask her about Tessia.
Gah, why did everything always come back to that woman?
I found Sember at the edge of Camp, leaning against a tree with one bare foot against it, brushing dirt off the boot in her hands. Growing up, she’d never bothered cleaning her shoes. But these boots were a gift from Jastin, so of course she’d want to maintain them. The thought made me smile.
“Hey,” I said as I approached.
“Hey.” Her solemn express
