“You aren’t weak for reporting her or asking for help” Taruka told her softly. “That’s what you’re worried about, isn’t it?” Phanessa couldn’t answer. “You’re so stupid.” Damika repeated to her, without the anger in her voice this time. She pulled Phanessa in for a fierce hug, carefully avoiding her injuries. “Silly, silly girl. You have more strength than the lot of us, you work twice as hard, you complain half as much, and you never give up. There isn’t any part of you that doesn’t have a warrior’s heart.”
