"I don't know." Mercy tilts her head at the question. "If they are, news ain't got to us about that. Folks is more concerned with fighting at the northeastern border around where I live. Or the gangs 'cross the border in Torland to the farther east. I'm not a soldier, but the ones around Evergreen are fighting on those fronts.

"Maybe there's things going on in the south or the west? Sradans is scattered, though. Don't think I ever met one I wasn't related to, growing up, 'cept Ida. And she and my big brother got promised to each other from another family down in the valleys. Ain't saying any of it's good, but we're a folk at peace with our lot for now. No one's running around trying to kill us no more. Not properly. That's enough."