"It's about perception," Joule said, interjecting.
He caught their attention.
"If the Luatha were behind the death of a child who hadn’t passed theiradva ka, it would be a serious breach of their most sacred duties. The Houses were created to shelter those too weak to protect themselves. A betrayal of that magnitude would call their entire existence into question."
"He is correct," Graydon said with a faint smile.
Joule straightened, pride in his expression.
"If we take all that into account, we can assume someone is deliberately trying to weaken Luatha. Probably so they can create a chink in their defenses," Kira supplied.
When you followed that reasoning, it would be understandable to assume Roderick was a part of the conspiracy. Since her arrival, he'd been deliberately obtuse regarding his duty. Not just incompetent but almost maliciously so.
Kira hesitated to point all the blame at him, knowing there might be other explanations. It could be he was simply untrained and in over his head, allowing his emotions to cloud his judgment.
"Roderick was appointed by Alma and Rayan, the seneschal and majordomo who served as Liara’s regents until she came of age," Joule supplied. "The gossip is she wishes to replace him, but she doesn’t want to go against the other two."
"How do you know that?" Kira asked.
He shrugged. "They consider me harmless because of my age. It makes them less guarded in their words. I listen."
"Smart."
He gave her a grin, the expression bright and open. The stress and worry he seemed to carry with him everywhere lifted for a brief moment.
Kira gave Graydon a sidelong look, several things beginning to make sense now. "You knew about the rot in this House. You're using Joule’s and my presence to work on behalf of the emperor's interests."
It wasn't a question. It was the only answer that made sense. Graydon's duty should have been over as soon as he delivered them to Luatha. That he hadn't abandoned them immediately, but chose to stay and insert himself into events, said he had an ulterior motive.
She suspected he'd been looking for a reason to remain once he delivered Joule and Ziva. Her discovery had given him the opening he needed.
"You must have been counting your lucky stars when you found me," she said.
Graydon didn't look away from her, his carefully neutral expression confirmation enough.
"I don't like being used," she told him softly.
Shrewd amusement tinged his expression. "But you are perfectly willing to use others. Or are you not here to negotiate on behalf of the humans—I believe they want several ships?"
He stepped closer, his shoulder brushing hers as he leaned closer and murmured. "Face it,coli, we're in a position to use each other. Might as well take advantage of that."
He didn't take his gaze from hers as he moved back, giving her the slightest bit of space.
Her lips curved in a sly smile. She couldn't argue with that. "What are you suggesting?"
"We help each other where we can," he said with a small shrug.
She considered him. It was tempting, even as her instincts warned he was playing a deep game, one with potentially devastating consequences.
Still, did she have many options?
"Alright, you're on," she said, agreeing to the alliance.
Joule shifted beside her, drawing her attention.
"On one condition, you or one of your minions help train Joule," she said.
Joule's eyes were wide as he looked between the two of them, a painful hope on his face.
