Kingdom of Ash

our people home, Manon.
The words had not stopped echoing in her
ears.
“You could stay off the battlefield today,
too,” Petrah Blueblood now said, a hand on
her mount’s flank. “Use the day to help the
others. And rest.”
Manon stared at her.
Even with two Matrons dead, Iskra with
them, and no sign of Petrah’s mother, the
Ironteeth had managed to remain organized.
To keep Manon, Petrah, and the Crochans
busy.
Every day, fewer and fewer walked off the
battlefield.
“No one else rests,” Manon said coldly.
“Everyone else manages to sleep, though,”
Petrah said. When Manon held the witch’s
gaze, Petrah said unblinkingly, “You think I
do not see you, lying awake all night?”