Taigi moved with them. Her saber cut into another ape closing from the side, drawing a howl as she forced it away from her archers.
"Hold together!"
The men answered her, their shields closing around the gap. Taigi stayed beside them while blood ran down the monster's leg, her voice carrying over its screams.
Milo's hands had tightened around his knees.
He wanted to watch that part again.
The woman who had begged forgiveness on the floor was standing between monsters and her people. They listened when she spoke. When she moved, they moved with her, trusting her to know where they should go.
He had seen Kaiden do that so many times.
But seeing her do it made his chest ache with a longing he couldn't have explained to Mrs. Weller.
"She worked for that," Kaiden said when the broadcast returned to the steps. He was smiling at Taigi now, openly proud. "So did every person beside her. I'm very happy to give them the opportunity, but the training and the courage are theirs."
