Chapter 46

Two Sides of a Coin

Early the next morning, the compound gate outside the west wall was already packed.

A fresh list hung on the board by the door. Some people spotted their names and shoved straight to the desk to ask about paperwork. Others cursed where they stood, then thought better of lingering and turned away.

Lila pushed to the list first.

Eren kept Nova half a step behind her, hand on the boy's shoulder. The list wasn't long—only a handful of names, neat handwriting.

Eren saw his own name at once. Lila's wasn't there.

She read top to bottom, then bottom to top.

"I'm not on it."

Eren checked again.

She wasn't.

Nova looked up at them, then at the paper. "Is there a second sheet?"

"No," Lila said. "Come on. We'll look elsewhere."

The clerk behind the desk was busy handing slips to the ones who'd made it. When she came over he didn't even look up. "Check the list. Hired—forms on the right. Not hired—you can go."

Eren took half a step forward.

"I wanted to ask—"

Lila caught his arm. "Drop it. You've never looked for work? Asking won't change a thing."

She hadn't finished when a familiar laugh came from outside the yard.

"Don't give him a hard time." Red Tea walked in from the gate. No iron staff this time—just an old leather document bag. "I'll take this."

The man behind the desk saw him and stood at once. "Captain."

Red Tea waved him back down, then looked at Lila.

"This one's on me. I couldn't swing it."

"Don't," Lila said, still easy. "Getting a shot at all was already something. I just wasn't good enough."

Red Tea shook his head. "Marco told me. Your scores were fine. Crossbow work was outstanding."

"They didn't take you because the team's never had a woman," he said. "This isn't a factory. Midnight runs into the wilds are normal. Packed in with the men—it gets awkward. Slots are tight, so…"

Lila's eyes dropped a beat. Then she shrugged.

"That's all I needed," she said. "I wasn't set on the mine guards. I just wanted to know where I came up short."

Eren patted her shoulder.

"It's fine. Let's go. We'll find something else."

Red Tea frowned at that.

"Brother—hold up."

Eren stopped.

Red Tea tucked the bag under his arm and drew Eren aside from the counter so they wouldn't block the line.

"I didn't get Lila's side done clean," he said. "But I still hope you take the mine-guard post first."

"Three of you in town—food, a room. You get steady pay, she doesn't have to grab the first scrap that shows. No jumping into a hole for a few coins. Right?"

Fair enough. Eren still didn't answer at once.

"We saw the march at the Mint yesterday," he said. "The way the union talks, a job here isn't secure either. Honestly—I've got my doubts."

Red Tea nodded. His face eased a little.

"Fair. That march got loud," he said. "But don't take only one side, brother. Unions don't always tell the whole truth either. Mine-guard work suits you, I think. You've got the skill. You've got the experience. Go in a few days, take the pay, see how it really is. If it's like they say, you can still walk. No harm done."

Eren went quiet.

Red Tea watched him, voice lower. "You've got a knot about big companies. Rusak isn't the place you came from. Don't let that prejudice block the road."

Eren turned to Lila. "What do you think?"

"Me?" Lila tugged at the corner of her mouth. "I'd love to say take it or leave it."

Eren didn't smile. He waited.

Lila let out a breath.

"But he's not wrong," she said. "You get in first, we breathe easier. I'll take Nova to the notice board—plants, whatever. Something'll turn up."

Eren looked at her. "Don't grab the first one."

"I know." Lila shot him a look.

Red Tea stood aside and waited them out.

"That settled, then?" he asked.

Eren glanced at the counter, then at the flow past the yard gate. He exhaled and gave two small nods.

"All right. I'll do the paperwork."

Red Tea nodded. "Good. Go get it done. Deposit on gear and work clothes, training fees—comes out of pay later. You're headed for the western mines. The clerk at the desk will walk you through the rest."

Lila hitched the long crossbow strap higher on her shoulder.

"You handle that. I'll take Nova to the notice board, look for work, ask about the school while we're at it."

Nova's head came up at once. "Can I come?"

"What else?" Lila eyed him. "Stay here and watch them stamp forms?"

Nova thought a beat, then shook his head hard.

Eren clapped his shoulder. "Stick with her. No wandering."

"Got it."

Lila took two steps, stopped, and looked back at Red Tea.

"Brother Red Tea—thanks anyway."

Red Tea waved it off. "Drop it. I'm already embarrassed enough."

Lila said nothing more. She took Nova out through the yard gate.

Eren watched their backs vanish into the crowd, then went with Red Tea toward the right-hand counter.

Outside, the daylight hit harder than it did in the yard.

Lila walked fast. Her boots clicked over a patch of grit by the door, sharp and clean.

Nova jogged two steps to catch up. "Sister Lila—slow down."

"I'm already going slow," Lila said.

Nova tipped his head up at her.

She held it a moment, then lost it. Under her breath: "A little mine-guard outfit, this many rules. Talking like they're something. Back when I was—"

"—with the revolutionaries," she finished, voice pressed low so only Nova heard, "who pulled that crap on me?"

Nova looked up, dead serious. "Sister Lila, big shots in the revolutionaries have the whole world on their minds. They don't get worked up over a few small fry."

That caught her short. She wanted to snap back, then the words died halfway. She snorted. "Can't even complain?"

"Sure," Nova said. "Talk while we walk. If we're late, the good jobs'll be gone."

Lila glared, then ruffled his hair.

"Listen to you, brat. Lecturing me now."

Her pace eased. She glanced once more toward the mine-guard yard gate, and hummed.