"Each House safeguards the secrets locked in the blood of its members. For me to take yours even if it is to confirm your lineage would be considered a grave insult. Wars have been started for less," he said quietly, an apology in his voice. It was the easiest explanation he could think of without revealing too much of their history to her, a Tuann outsider with dangerous ties. "I'm sure your House will make confirming your familial relationship a priority when we arrive."
"Tell me about these Houses. Humans don't have them and I want to understand," she said.
Graydon hesitated, struggling to put into words what most intuitively knew. "There are five Great Houses and countless smaller ones. Many small Houses pledge their allegiance and fealty to more powerful Houses in exchange for protection. These are considered branch Houses."
"Is everyone part of a House?" Kira asked.
"For the most part. There are exceptions. A very few elect to become wanderers, their allegiance to themselves. It is a very difficult path. The rest have been exiled from their Houses and are ostracized, deemed too untrustworthy to have dealings with."
Kira made a humming sound as she thought over his words.
"It's a system set in place a long time ago when Houses feuded with one another. Once your loyalty is given, it is nearly impossible to withdraw without your House's permission."
"Sounds restrictive," she observed dryly.
Graydon allowed himself a slight smile. She was not wrong. His people were slaves to tradition and exceptionally slow to change. It could make for a stifling environment at times.
He slid a sidelong look her way. He was curious to see what effect she would have on them. She didn't strike him as the type to bow to tradition for tradition's sake. He'd been named for his ability to see a storm coming before it arrived. Many in their society considered him a danger because of it. But he believed storms were necessary at times.
"Jin, stop playing with your friends. It's time to go," Kira called as the machine swooped and ducked among thechaterling, avoiding the young as they fought to land on his housing.
Kira dipped her chin in a nod before the two disappeared through the trees.
Graydon stayed where he was. Solal appeared beside him, his gaze on the flowers that had so fascinated Kira.
"Send Baran and a couple of our warriors into human space to find out everything they can on our Kira," Graydon said, his hands clasped behind him.
Solal turned toward him, a slight surprise on his face. "You would leave her with one guard?"
Graydon flicked an irritated glance at his second. "You know I wouldn’t."
Solal's cheeks creased with humor. "Who will you assign to her then? After her demonstration earlier and the way she gave Baran the slip, every one of theoshotawould volunteer for the honor."
Graydon wasn't surprised. His warriors admired strength, and Kira had demonstrated she had that in spades.
"We need someone whose presence will not be questioned when she is within her House," Graydon said.
Solal's expression turned curious. "That will be difficult. Every one of us falls under the emperor's authority. Our loyalties are owned by him. They will not trust us and it might affect how they treat her."
"Finn will work," Graydon said.
Solal's eyebrows rose. "He's Roake. They won't let him past the front doors."
"His great-grandmother was of Luatha. His line has roots in that House. They’ll accept him if only for the chance to bring his bloodline back into alignment with theirs,” Graydon said.
“Why him though?”
“I suspect she's not just Luatha but Roake as well," Graydon said.
This time shock crossed Solal's face. "You think she's dual House? You think she's the missing heir for Roake?"
Graydon grunted, giving his second a long look. "Do you know any among the Luatha who could take down a Tsavitee the way she did?"
Solal's expression turned contemplative as he thought over Graydon's statement. "True. They aren't known for their warriors. But you're forgetting, there is no mark indicating Roake and without it you’ll have a battle on your hands to get Luatha to share her with those they consider enemy."
"The mark of their House rarely presents before they pass theiradva ka. If she has one, it'll be hidden. Only another Roake elder would be able to reveal it until then," Graydon said.
Solal considered him, his second's gaze contemplative as he calculated the possibilities and their possible outcomes. "Of anyone, you would know given its your birth House. If you're right, House Roake must be informed. This could cause another war if not handled correctly."
