Aya's first patrol (3rd month of Autumn, 13th day)

  Aya had just finished her magic practice and was about to begin her laps when Rasa called her over.

  "You're going on patrol tomorrow. Be at the stables by eight in the morning, in armor. Torgi will be your sergeant — he'll explain the details. Make sure to check your riding gear today."

  "Yes, Rasa. What about my magic training?"

  "You'll have the day off. From now on, you'll patrol twice a week, and on those days, you'll skip magic training."

  "Won't that affect my progress?"

  "No, not really. Taking breaks might actually help."

  After finishing her laps, Aya headed to the lounge for a meal, bringing Agvi along. Everything was fine — until she mentioned she'd be going on patrol the next day. Agvi immediately started sulking again. Aya couldn't tell him about his future training, since Xia had asked her not to. Frustrated by the secrecy and Agvi's gloomy mood, Aya eventually left him and went riding.

  She spent a long time adjusting her saddle — tightening, loosening, rechecking straps. It took so long that even Kiki, who normally made her dislike of work obvious, grew restless and eager to go.

  That evening, Aya practiced words with Ixi. But Ixi was growing tired of the game, and eventually refused to play. She didn't see the point in repeating words she didn't need — her trusty "ravana fida mita" combo seemed to cover every scenario she needed in life. Aya'd have to come up with a better teaching method.

  The next morning, Aya reported to the stables.

  "Just follow me and listen to my commands," the sergeant said. "Do you have a raven?"

  "No, just a fairy."

  "Can it scout?"

  "I think so, but I haven't trained her for it. She understands me — mostly through gestures, not words."

  "Start training her, then. We'll show you standard raven maneuvers today. Can you use strengthening?"

  "Yes, of course."

  "Good. Your main task today is to keep up."

  They had ridden about half a league when Ixi caught up with them. The sergeant said she could stay, so Aya settled her in front of the saddle for the rest of the patrol. It wasn't as graceful as the ravens, who needed little space, and Kiki clearly resented the fairy passenger. She kept turning her head to sneak glances at Ixi and neighed nervously whenever she succeeded. What a moody mare, Aya thought.

  The snow wasn't deep yet. They rode for several hours, passing two villages. This was Aya's first glimpse of a local village — houses here were lower and smaller than those in the south. Peasants worked outside, barely acknowledging the patrol. At one point, a villager spoke with the sergeant, something about riders seen that morning. The patrol kept launching ravens, but none returned with news.

  Ixi behaved well for the most part — even when Kesa launched her raven. At first, she wanted to chase it, but a firm "Ixi, no" from Aya was enough to stop her.

  Overall, the patrol went smoothly. The soldiers asked a few questions about Ixi but mostly talked among themselves. That evening, Aya tried to teach Ixi some basic scouting commands, but it quickly turned into a game of fetch with Aya's glove. She'd toss it onto the roof, and Ixi would fly up and bring it back.

  Exhausted, Aya returned to her room and fell asleep the moment she hit the bed.

  Agvi Starts Training (3rd month of Autumn, 15th day)

  A couple of days later, Aya found Agvi in high spirits, whistling a tune and busy with something inside.

  "Not bad," Aya said, peeking in.

  "Oh, it's you! Wait there — I'll come out."

  He emerged shortly, carrying a heap of wooden scraps, which he dropped by the path.

  "Did some repairs. How's your training going?"

  "It's alright. You seem in a good mood today. Any news?"

  "Rasa said I can start training with the new warriors. I'm beginning next week! I need to show the servants my chores — she said they'll send someone over."

  He spoke quickly, clearly excited. Aya listened with a smile.

  "Wait... did you know?" Agvi asked, suspicion creeping into his voice.

  "Sort of."

  "What's that supposed to mean?"

  "I heard from Xia it might happen."

  "And you didn't tell me?"

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  "I wasn't sure. What if I told you and it didn't happen?"

  "I'd be upset."

  "See?"

  "You could've told me anyway."

  As they talked, Ixi entered the aviary, but soon came back out and flew up to the stable roof.

  "She doesn't do her staring contests with the ravens anymore, does she?" Aya asked.

  "She shows up every morning to feed them. They know her now." Agvi paused. "She's friends with Ketirik."

  "Is he better?"

  "He's eating again, so yeah. But he still acts strange. Sits still all the time. Only moves when Ixi's around."

  A raven flew out from under the sloped roof of the aviary. The wooden panel along the roof had holes for the ravens to come and go freely. Agvi narrowed his eyes, watching the raven.

  "I think that's him," he said.

  "How can you tell?"

  "I don't know. The way he moves? Look." He pointed as the raven circled a few times around Ixi. "I'm telling you, they're friends now. They're playing."

  Ixi took off and followed Ketirik. The raven climbed higher in a wide spiral over the aviary. Ixi tried to intercept him, but she was slower.

  "So high... makes me worry," Aya said.

  "Can't you tell her not to do it?"

  "I could," Aya said. "But I won't."

  The Bad Weather (3rd month of Autumn, 19th day)

  The blizzard began in the evening and raged through the night. By morning, Aya set out on patrol with her squad. They had been riding for a while when Kesa's raven brought news.

  "The village has been raided," Kesa said after talking to the raven.

  They hurried there and found carnage. A small village had been ransacked — bloodied corpses scattered across the snow, grain stores emptied. The only survivors were a wounded woman, Heija, and five frightened children hiding in the wreckage. Ixi, guided by some sixth sense, proved adept at finding them. She even discovered a pair hidden inside a coal box.

  They called for reinforcements. Soon, Kemi arrived with three squads. After a quick inspection, he set off in pursuit of the raiders. Aya's squad remained behind to escort the survivors back to the mansion, where the healer tended to them. Kemi and his soldiers returned empty-handed. The blizzard had wiped away all tracks — there was no way to tell where the attackers had come from.

  Xia decided to keep the children at the mansion. Heija, once healed, became a servant. She remained timid and quiet, barely speaking. The children, by contrast, recovered quickly. Before long, they were running through the yard, laughing and playing. Ixi joined them in their games, becoming part of the gang. Her ability to fly made her especially popular, despite her limited vocabulary.

  "Xia, why aren't there other children in the mansion?" Aya asked one afternoon.

  "In recent years, there have been no births," Xia replied. "These have been sickly years — poor harvests and low birth rates across the North."

  "But the peasants had children?"

  "Peasants always do. It's because of their weak magic."

  For Aya, that was a surprising bit of information. She had never heard such a thing before.

  "The more magic a woman possesses," Xia explained, "the less likely she is to become pregnant. Those who live in the mansion have stronger natural magic, so the birth rate here is always lower."

  "Why do peasants have less magic?"

  "It's a matter of selection. When a peasant shows magical talent, we invite them to live here. We need magic users to form a warband. Some servants and guards are recently recruited peasants. Even if they aren't strong enough to fight, they form families — and their children are often stronger. Agvi, for example, is the son of a guard and a servant."

  "Is your magic strong, Xia? Did you have children?"

  "No, I don't have children yet, Aya. And it's considered impolite to ask a noblewoman about her magic."

  "Oh, I'm sorry."

  "As you should be," Xia said, though her tone was more amused than harsh. "But it's no great secret — my magic is relatively strong, but there's still a chance. We hope it will happen during the next good year. But as I said, it's a touchy subject. Best not to ask nobles about it openly."

  "Can battlemages have children?"

  "Men — sure. For a woman, it depends on their strength. The stronger ones — like Rasa — usually can't. But there are always exceptions."

  The destroyed village had been small, on the fringes of Vemer's territory. In truth, it wasn't considered a significant loss. Still, Kemi remained riled for days, frustrated by his inability to retaliate.

  The Caravan Refuses to Stop (3rd month of Autumn, 22nd day)

  Another caravan arrived — larger this time, heavily guarded — and didn't even stop at the estate. It passed a short distance to the west, hurrying toward Bizenki. Kemi's squad intercepted it, but the caravan refused to halt, let alone trade. Kedi was in his study when Kemi stormed in, snowflakes still clinging to his cloak.

  "They wouldn't even stop! I wanted to kill them," he said.

  "I'm glad you didn't. Ransacking a caravan would invite retaliation," Kedi replied calmly.

  "I know, but we'll starve if they all ignore us. What are we supposed to eat?"

  "I'm finalizing an agreement with our neighbors. We're going to tax them."

  "Tax them how?"

  "We'll set a grain quota they have to sell us if they want to pass through our land."

  "And if they refuse?"

  "Then we seize the goods — and fine them on top of it."

  "That caravan had twenty guards, Kedi. Several mages too."

  "Couldn't you take them? With the full warband?"

  "I could, but not without losses. Our mages are better, but even so — we'd lose people."

  "This is a battle for survival. Besides, we'd fine them for the losses too — take extra grain in compensation. A few losses now could secure us for the entire winter."

  Just then, Xia entered.

  "Did something happen? Are you all right?" she asked, eyeing Kemi's irritated expression and snow-covered clothes.

  "No, I'm not. The caravan passed right by us — refused to sell grain," Kemi said.

  "I suppose they weren't interested in buying slaves either?" Xia asked. Kemi just shook his head.

  Kedi set aside the letter he was writing and looked at her. Beautiful as ever, if a bit tired. "Did you finish the inventory?" he asked.

  "Yes," she nodded. "We have enough for half the winter. Maybe two-thirds if we ration carefully."

  "We're rationing now?" Kemi frowned. "Patrols are overworked already — you want them hungry too?"

  "We're not rationing yet," Kedi said. "It wouldn't be enough anyway. I'm counting on the caravan tax. We'll have it in place soon."

  "Won't the Magistrate object?" Xia asked.

  Kedi shrugged. "He already sent a complaint about Misher's caravan. He'll send another. Then we'll argue it at the Conference and dress it up as legal. As long as we follow formalities, we'll be fine. And coordinating with our neighbors strengthens our case. Here — I'd like you to read the draft."

  He handed Xia the document.

  "Besides, the Magistrate isn't a fool. He knows it's better we take a little than seize everything."

  Xia took the paper and began reading.

  "So what am I supposed to do — just let them pass?" Kemi asked.

  "No, of course not," Kedi replied. "Keep intercepting them. Ask for grain. If you can, intimidate them subtly, but don't push too far. If they refuse to sell, that's fine. We just want them to know we're in control here. By next month, every merchant will have us in mind."

  "By next month, this caravan will barely be back," Kemi grumbled, though Kedi could see his anger beginning to fade.

  "Oh, the merchants will know," Kedi said, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "They're experts on staying informed."

  For a moment, the scene reminded him of their childhood — when Kemi would argue even when everyone knew he was wrong. Those were simpler times. It was blood and snow and grain all the same, but somehow he remembered them fondly.