Transition of forces was always an operation that required all hands on deck. Magda’s hands were highly capable ones, made for smoothing the egos of Coheedsmen and placating the misunderstandings and mistrust of incoming Nevermereans. Seeing the fresh faces, Magda found herself surprisingly nostalgic for the black sands. She’d been away from home for so long, she’d almost forgotten what the cold wind felt like.

But homesickness was not something she could indulge at present.

The Coheedsman still had reservations about his daughters learning swordplay under Nevermerean direction. After all, could those soldiers be trusted to keep their hands to themselves with such fine girls as his daughter? Magda listened to one man’s complaints now—to the way he spoke of his daughters like cattle, all with a soft, understanding smile. Inside, she found it repulsive. She’d been such a girl once. Nothing more than an asset to be used when advantageous.

“I assure you, Malachi, your daughters are in safe hands...” Magda trailed off when she saw Faylin moving towards them. There was a time when Magda thought she would call the woman friend. But that was a lifetime ago.

“If you’ll excuse me…” Magda would take her leave of the Coheedsman and intercept Faylin with a bright smile. She’d made an effort to look more the witch than the Coheedswoman today, but the trappings of Coheed clung to her like the freckles the sun had left on her skin.

“Sergeant Valana. Congratulations on your appointment. No doubt it was well-earned.” Magda smiled prettily.

Faylin came to a halt when she saw Magda approaching her. She offered a small smile and a dip of her head in acknowledgement. "I only hope to prove my worthiness of it while I'm here," she answered in turn. If she had not been warned to keep an eye on Magda, she may have shared with her what had happened in Nevermere that led to her promotion. But if she had been given an assignment to watch her, surely there was a reason to be distrustful of her.

"You have also risen through the ranks since last we spoke all those years ago." She gestured at the land around them. "Foreign Affairs Minister and married to the Governor of Coheed. You've done quite well for yourself." She offered a small smile to Magda as she spoke.