I understand the distrust. I still think it's a minor miracle I was welcomed into the camp so readily, even with Lakshmi to vouch for me.

[ A sigh, though. ]

But an army isn't much of an army if it's soldiers are too busy letting those tensions get to the point of actual fighting in the ranks. A real fight's going to break out, sooner or later. One that gets perfectly good soldiers injured or killed, for no real reason.