The Second

LERRIN

He'd just finished soaping between his toes when the tent flap fluttered and Asta appeared still in her fighting leathers, which meant she'd just come from the training ground where he'd left her with instructions to whip the chosen fist into shape before they were called into service.

She had to have left just minutes after him. He growled. "What are you doing here?"

"We need to speak," she snap.

"Those snipers need to find their edge!"

"And they will—that's what I want to speak to you about. Give me the fist to lead against the Cat. Let me take them to the Tree City. I can ensure they will not step outside the plan."

"Absolutely not."

"Why not?" she growled.

"Because you are far too important here. If we lose you—"

"I will not engage, I will be there to manage the fist—they are trembling with the urge to hunt, Lerrin, they need a strong leader that can channel that—"