a handkerchief.
“So you’re from Roskosh Manor,” Sonya asked Galina. “I guess that means you know my mother.”
“I am well acquainted with Lady Portinari, and…” Galina hesitated, her face creasing slightly as if she was deciding whether to continue. Apparently she wasn’t quite as poised as Sonya’s mother after all. Not yet, anyway. “And your brother as well.”
“My brother.” Sonya spat on the floor.
“You have a brother?” asked Angelo. “Giovanni Portinari had a son?”
“Yes,” said Galina. “Captain Sebastian Turgenev Portinari.”
“Captain already?” asked Sonya. “What a good little soldier he’s turned out to be.”
“Unfortunately, you are more right than you know,” said Galina. “He has become so enamored with Commander Vittorio and the empire that I fear you would hardly recognize him now.”
“He’s always been a kiss ass little shit,” said Sonya.
“When I first met him, I found him surprisingly thoughtful and sensitive for a man,” said Galina. “Almost like a poet, really. But under Vittorio’s influence, he carries out his orders with a cold efficiency, murdering defenseless peasants without remorse, using his considerable intellect to justify his actions in astonishing ways.”
“Wait,” said Sonya. “Murder? My brother?” That she found hard to believe.
“I’m afraid so.”
“And how do you know this, Galina Odoyevtseva?”
“He confides everything to me,” she replied. “Because I am his betrothed.”
“Shit.” Sonya considered that a moment. “And you’ve decided you don’t like this new cruel streak of his, so you’re betraying him? Is that it?” She was equal parts impressed and angered by the idea. On one hand, it was an admirably aggressive play for such a fragile little doll. On the other hand, Sonya knew that no matter what else her brother might be, he was a hopelessly romantic sap and when he eventually discovered Galina had betrayed him, he would be devastated.
“I do not do this lightly, Sonya Turgenev,” Galina said sharply. “I reluctantly came to this decision after months of trying in vain to gently guide him down a better path. I even expressed my concerns to his—your mother, in hopes that she could get through to him when I could not.”
“I can guess how that went,” said Sonya. “You failed to realize that precious Sebastian is incapable of wrongdoing. It’s inevitably everyone else’s fault.”
Galina smiled sadly. “Yes, that was more or less what I discovered. And so, when Sebastian calmly explained to me why it was necessary for him to massacre an entire group of rebels by burning them alive without warning or even the hope of surrender, I decided that for the good of Izmoroz, I could no longer sit idly by.”
“You didn’t just confront him?” asked Sonya.
“That would have compromised my position, which has enabled me to glean information that has already saved hundreds of rebel lives.”
“You have a point,” admitted Sonya. It still bothered her that Sebastian’s betrothed was manipulating him, but there was no denying the potential advantage of having an informant like her.
“Is yer brother so fierce, then?” asked Blaine curiously.
“He uses elemental magic,” said Sonya.
“Wha’ es that?” asked Mordha.
“Controlling the elements of fire, air, water, and earth.”
Mordha nodded, looking impressed.
“Additionally,” said Galina, “Commander Vittorio has given him a gemstone that magnifies his power immensely. He can raze an entire field in mere moments.”
“That’s worrisome,” said Jorge.
“I’m sorry, Sonya Turgenev,” said Galina, “but would you mind introducing me to the rest of your allies?” There was a tinge of irritation in her voice that suggested this was something Sonya should have done already.
“Oh, sure. This is our apothecary, Jorge Elhuyar of Raíz.”
“Elhuyar of Raíz?” Galina asked sharply. “Any relation to—”
“Yes, yes,” Jorge said quickly, looking embarrassed. “The same.”
“I… see…” It was clear Galina wanted to ask more, but it was just as clear that Jorge didn’t, so she merely nodded. It made Sonya curious as well. Was his family important in Raíz? She’d have to bully him into some answers later in private.
“And these three gentlemen?” asked Galina.
“Angelo Lorecchio, formerly of the Aureumian Empire. He advises on imperial tactics.”
“Very helpful, I’m sure.”
Angelo still looked a little awed by the doll. And possibly nervous. He bowed his head stiffly and said, “I hope so, your ladyship.”
Galina smiled gently. “Please, Mr. Lorecchio. I have no title yet, and even if I did, I would insist that my comrades speak to me more familiarly.”
“As you say, Galina Odoyevtseva.”
“And these two big bears are Blaine Ruairc, captain of Clan Dílis, and Elgin Mordha, chief of Clan Greim and warlord of the Uaine.”
Galina’s eyebrows jumped. “Uaine?”
“I needed an army to get rid of the empire, so