"Several of us stayed behind to haggle with the human owner of the slow boat." Liont spoke in human standard for the human's benefit. "Other humans began to act aggressively toward us. We were trying to calm them while Vera accompanied the children onto the slow boat. It exploded minutes later."
Grief touched Liont's face. Vera hadn't made it off.
Graydon bowed his head as a sign of sympathy. Liont and the rest had lost much recently. Any death hurt, but this one would burn given what they'd survived.
"Was it a distraction?" Graydon asked, switching to Tuann.
Liont hesitated. "It is hard to say. You know how these humans are."
Graydon's lips tightened. Yes, he did. They were a brash race intent on challenging those stronger than themselves. It made them difficult to deal with at times. They charged when they should run, and ran when they needed to hold their ground.
The human's expression turned thoughtful. "I'll have my people round up those who interfered with your duties. It's probably nothing, but there has been some anti-Tuann sentiment lately."
Graydon's stare was contemplative as he studied the human. The man was more observant than most of his kind to have picked up on the nuances of Liont's story so easily.
"What is your name?" Graydon asked.
Surprise appeared on the man's face. "Jace. Rear Admiral Jace Skarsdale."
Graydon inclined his head. He'd remember that name.
The holovid began playing again, showing the woman kneeling at the boat's railing, her dropping Ziva over the side, then her grabbing up Joule and sprinting for the other side of the boat before jumping.
Graydon watched the holovid all the way up to the arrest of all those on the platform.
Skarsdale stopped the recording and faced Graydon. "As you can see, the woman acted in good faith. If she hadn't intervened, the two children would have likely died."
Graydon's jaw was clenched tight.
"She is marked," Fari said into the silence.
Graydon regarded him, his bland expression not revealing any of his thoughts as he waited for Liont's second to continue. The man was young, but he showed the potential to be a great warrior one day.
"I saw the glyph on her wrist. She must have thought I was attacking her when I tried to get a closer look." Shame reflected in Fari's eyes. "It wasn't my intent to cause her alarm."
"What House?" Graydon asked.
"Luatha," Fari said.
Graydon and Liont shared a long look.
"Strange Luatha would show up here after the attack on your House," Graydon said.
Liont's House, Maxiim, had been attacked by an unknown enemy, the majority of it destroyed. Only a few had survived, including Liont and his men. Joule and Ziva were the sole young left alive, the future of their House if Joule could reach his potential in time.
That someone bearing Luatha's mark appeared, as they stopped in to replenish supplies on their way through the system, was a coincidence that defied belief.
"I apologize for the arrest of your people, Lord Graydon. As you can see, it was a misunderstanding," Skarsdale was saying.
"Your people have violated the treaty," Graydon said, his words having the effect of a bomb.
Skarsdale's expression froze, his gaze turning cool and analytical as he studied Graydon. "I'm not sure I understand."
"The woman who was in here. Tell me everything you know about her," Graydon said, ignoring his statement.
Skarsdale paused, his gaze intent. "I can’t do that."
"You will or I will have this station destroyed."
