CHAPTER EIGHT
That oversized bastardhad really gone all out, Kira thought grimly. He couldn't have picked anything simple. No, he'd gone straight for the throat, choosing an opponent he knew would pull a visceral reaction from every human in the room.
She didn't dare turn her attention from the war drone, knowing if she did, it would tear her apart. In a different time, with different people, she might have settled for giving Graydon several choice gestures that perfectly articulated how she felt about this situation.
Since she was supposed to be currying favor, she settled for a soft angry sound as she visualized all the things she'd like to do with the arrogant Tuann if given half the chance. Throttling him featured heavily in her schemes.
The war drone, like some of the Tsavitee lower forms, was digitigrade, meaning it walked on its toes rather than its heels, giving the appearance of knees bending backward.
Taller than Kira by several feet, the war drone was built like a wall. An angry, vicious wall. Its entire purpose lay in its ability to pierce the enemy's lines while the smaller Tsavitee swarmed behind it.
The longer arms made it seem almost ape-like. It lacked fur, its skin a dark blue with smaller rosettes on its arms and shoulders. Horns curled up from its head and it had long lower canines denting the top of its lip.
As much as Kira hated to admit it, Graydon had made a good choice when selecting this opponent. Its larger size meant Kira would be on unequal footing, given she was smaller and physically weaker than her opponent.
Bringing it down would take work. Once it was done, neither Joule or any other would be able to claim she had the advantage of size.
That's if she could bring it down.
She had to wonder what Graydon had been thinking in setting this up. While she could take the drone down—as could every member of the Curs—most wouldn't be able to. He couldn't know for sure her history, which meant this was either a test or he was making a point. To her, or Joule was the question.
"Would you like aratan?" Graydon asked with smug politeness.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw him lift a long staff, much like Joule's. She shook her head. While the staff would increase her reach, she had never liked fighting with one. Its shape had never felt natural to her.
She much preferred the energy edged swords adapted from the katanas of ancient Japan.
Besides, this lesson worked best when no weapon was used at all.
He lowered theratan, a small twist to his lips saying her choice amused him. So glad she could provide entertainment for him and his warriors.
Kira's breath deepened as she watched her opponent. She didn't move as she studied the drone. They'd caught its essence perfectly.
Still, it wasn't real. That intelligence in its eyes was an illusion—a program designed to react to certain preset conditions.
Maybe it was a little more advanced than any simulation she'd ever seen, but it was still a simulation. Fake.
At least Graydon had chosen one of the lower classes. If she’d faced a wraith or lizard, she'd be a little more worried.
The Tsavitee struck, its powerful legs helping it clear the space between them in the blink of an eye. Kira dropped, rolling under it and regaining her feet, her posture defensive.
