Kira tried not to let her surprised consternation show. She turned to Ziva. "What happened then?"
"I lost." Ziva's eyes flashed up to meet Kira's.
Kira nodded, considering and discarding several responses. "Well, that was dumb."
Mutiny flashed across Ziva's face, her tiny body bunching as if she would leap for Kira's face. "It was not," she shouted. "I defended my family's honor."
"Did you?" Kira asked. "Seems to me like you took exception with what someone said and then lost a challenge you issued. You look twice as stupid now."
Kira straightened, dusting imaginary dirt off her pants.
"I am not," Ziva shouted, her eyes pooling with tears and her lower lip beginning to tremble. "I was winning but then his friend threw a rock."
"The weak tend to travel in packs," Kira agreed. "But you showed stupidity too. Picking the time and place for a fight is as important as training for it. You chose a time where he was at his strongest, surrounded by allies. Now he knows your weaknesses and he will come for you again."
Bullies always did. They couldn't help themselves. They now knew what set Ziva off and they'd use the leverage whenever they wanted a boost for their confidence.
Graydon crossed his massive arms and looked at the child. "Better yet, you should have avoided fighting someone stronger than yourself."
"She didn't," Ziva said, pointing at Kira and her assortment of bruises.
"I'm a horrible role model," Kira said lightly. "You shouldn't base any of your actions off me."
She cocked her head. She needed to give the kid something to hold onto. "I'll tell you this much. I didn't go looking for the fight that gave me these. Also, if it’d been my family he insulted, I wouldn't have attacked him. I would have waited until he was alone and vulnerable, and then crushed him so utterly he would never have dared show his face in front of me again."
Ziva looked up at her, her eyes wide as she dipped her chin in grave understanding.
A small sound from the door leading into the Citadel drew their notice. Ayela stood there, her expression slightly incredulous after listening to Kira's advice. Her honey-colored hair was bound in an undone braid that showed her pointed ears.
"Excuse me," Ayela said diffidently, her eyes darting nervously to Graydon. "I'm here for the young ones."
Ziva stiffened, moving closer to Kira's legs, one small hand reaching out to clutch at her pants.
"You were at the airfield when I arrived," Kira said, remembering. She also thought she'd seen her in the audience at the obstacle course.
"Yes, since I am not a warrior or artisan and possess no specialized skill set, my duties vary depending on need," Ayela said.
Kira nodded slowly. "I'll take responsibility for them and see them to the nursery when we're done."
Ziva's hand relaxed slightly.
"Pardon me, but I would be in trouble for letting them wander off," Ayela said. Her tone diffident even as her words challenged.
Graydon shifted next to her, his expression remote. "You may trust they will not come to harm in our care."
Ayela opened her mouth again then closed it, finally bowing and backing away, but not before Kira noted the small flash of anger.
"There is something off about that woman," Kira said once she was gone, staring at the door she'd disappeared through.
"There is something off about a lot of this place," Graydon said seriously. "It's becoming hard to distinguish between what is truth and paranoia."
Kira made a small sound of agreement.
She turned to the two she'd saddled herself with. Someday she'd learn not to take on more responsibility. Today was not that day.
"I guess you two will get your way. I'll show you a few moves before dinner time," she said.
The two let out twin cheers.
