Riley didn’t think that either of them were comfortable. They refused to sit on the cot with her and crouched instead. Lissie’s heels were on the ground, but Cora was perched on the balls of her feet.
“You get used to it. They don’t make chairs.” Cora said, sounding more at ease than her fidgeting knees looked.
“I’m so grateful we got through that quickly. My injury has lost us some time, but…” Riley trailed off, taking a deep breath.
Lissie’s voice was thin. “They said it would be another year before I was allowed to try again.”
“Why would you do that? We got our guide.” Riley wondered what the journey to the Dust Women would be like as she spoke.
Lissie stood up. “It wouldn’t matter to you.”
Riley’s heart clenched as she realized what she had said. “Lissie, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
“I shouldn’t expect you to understand.” Lissie paced the tent.
Grimacing, Cora got to her feet. “Lissie, you can stay in Terndowns and come back next year.”
“There is no more reason for me to be in Terndowns than Ariland. Or here. Or anywhere.” Lissie’s voice started cracking.
Riley pushed herself up out of the cot. She wanted to hug Lissie, but she was too fast. This seemed to be past hugs anyway. She stood; she could hear her breath rattling.
Lissie continued, “It’s so easy for you. Both of you. Families. Do you know what the elders said when I told them my mother was an Arilander? They called her a gift and that I should be grateful. They don’t even think of the war. It was nothing to them.”
Riley collapsed back on the cot and winced. “You saw what happened to my home. I can’t go back. I don’t know when I’ll be able to see Father again. Or anyone.”
Cora grabbed Lissie and said, “You can go to Terndowns, you can stay here, you can go anywhere you like. You’re free.”
Lissie’s eyes cleared, and Riley felt like she saw her for the first time. “Your families, your homes—It’s all just responsibilities to you, isn’t it?”
“Lissie, you’re my family! My whole duchy is under my protection.” Riley tried not to sound bitter. “Yes, it’s responsibility.”
The blonde girl put her head down and muttered, “I should have known what to do. It’s so silly. So stupid.”
“Don’t you see it’s just a ritual!” Cora’s voice was measured, studious, and unrelenting. “It’s a show, for the people. For the elders, so that they all know the same things and do the same things. It’s not any different than trials or coronations or the Festival of the Six. It’s just culture.”
Lissie rounded on her. “But I didn’t know because I didn’t grow up here. I don’t fit in because I don’t know the things to do, the things to say. And I almost got Riley killed.”
“You’re learning,” Cora whispered.
Riley looked from one to the other. Everyone was breathing hard.
Lissie took a deep, shaky breath and let it out slowly. “I’ll let you rest. I need to go for a walk.” She swept out of the tent, leaving Cora and Riley staring at the canvas flapping in the wind.
Cora sat on the cot, and put her hand gently on Riley’s shoulder. “She fed you. Every meal. She’ll be okay. I think she’s the strongest of all of us.”