Graydon made a sound like a growl. "You're deliberately misunderstanding."
"Only because you are being so damned condescending."
There was a muffled snort from Isla behind Graydon. Another of Graydon’soshota, she looked fierce in her synth armor. Noor, beside her, was better at controlling his amusement, though Kira caught the glint of humor in his eyes.
"What's the holdup?" Roderick asked from Graydon's side. He frowned when he spotted Kira. "Where is your guard?"
Kira glanced at Graydon. "It's like you guys only know how to ask one thing."
His lips twitched, showing a brief spot of humor before he squashed it again. "Theazalawas telling me how guards were unnecessary for someone of her ability level."
That hadn't exactly been what she'd said, but close enough. She didn't react to the statement beyond a slight narrowing of the eyes.
Roderick's guffaw made it clear how ridiculous he found the notion. When he finally sobered, he jerked his chin at Eta. "Escort her to the Citadel."
Eta snapped to attention, stepping forward and reaching for Kira's arm. Kira let her take it, conscious of Graydon's regard as she said lightly, "I wasn't aware I was to be a prisoner."
"You're not," Roderick said. "This is for your own protection. My Overlord has impressed upon me how important your safety is. We don't want anything to happen to you while you're wandering around. Your protection should never have been assigned to the half-blood in the first place. One of my soldiers would be a better choice."
Kira recognized the insult implicit in a term like half-blood. She wondered if Roderick realized that when he insulted Finn, he was also implying an insult against her lineage too.
"He's very arrogant," she told Graydon.
"Indeed."
Especially for someone who had allowed an incursion into his security perimeter.
"I'm enjoying my walk," she informed Roderick. "I’ll return once I'm done."
One thing she'd learned from interacting with Finn was that when she was direct and firm with her wishes, he was hesitant to force her to do otherwise. She was curious to see if the same held true for others among the Luatha.
Roderick’s face darkened.
"Between your people and mine, I'm sure the Overlord would agree Kira has adequate protection here," Graydon said in a neutral voice.
Roderick's expression soured before a shout from the obstacle course distracted him. "Since you've decided to stay, perhaps you can demonstrate your prowess in battle."
Kira should have seen that coming. From the carefully guarded look on the otheroshota's faces, she sensed a trap.
Unfortunately, she didn’t see a graceful way to refuse. Even then, she hesitated to accept the challenge. Jace hadn't been entirely wrong last night when he accused her of being out of shape. Her body ached with the demands she'd already placed on it.
"Sounds fun," Kira said, feeling like it would be anything but.
"Excellent. I'll inform them you're next," Roderick said.
The carefully neutral expression on Graydon's face remained in place as Roderick stalked off. After a respectful nod, Eta trotted after him.
"That was unwise," Graydon murmured.
"I didn't have a lot of choice. If I'd refused, he would have used it an excuse to send me to my room like a child."
"Instead, he's going to use this experience to humiliate you and damage your credibility with Luatha," Graydon said. "They may be more known for their craftsmen and master artists than their warriors, but they are Tuann. They respect strength."
"Thanks, I hadn't figured any of that out for myself," Kira said tartly.
She watched the current group on the course as they fought for each foot of progress. They worked as a team, their wooden staffs spinning as they defended themselves. Each covering the other as the next person surged forward.
It wasn't until the midsection that they got into trouble, the drones pinning them down with laser fire.
