Strangely enough, the sight steadied Kira. She'd always been the rebellious type. Give her an ounce of disapproval and she'd do everything in her power to prove you right. It was a flaw, but one that came in handy right about now.
The leader of these new guards strode toward Graydon, a gold cape flapping in the wind. He looked like a holo actor from a period drama of a time in Earth's history when they fought battles with swords and arrows, a hero come to rescue the princess from the dragon.
He was a handsome man, secure in his position with just a trace of arrogance and superiority stamped on his features. His blond hair shone in the sun, furthering the impression he was some unattainable prince.
Kira disliked him on sight.
A short but intense conversation took place between the two men as their people faced each other, each group filled with the same imperturbable resolve as they looked over the other.
"It's like watching lawmen and cowboys square off for the gunfight at the O.K. Corral," Jin said in fascination.
Kira snickered. "Which is which do you think?"
Jin was silent as he studied the two groups. "Graydon and his people are the lawmen, obviously. They'd be the ones to win."
Kira tilted her head. She had to agree. There was something in the way he and his people held themselves, loose but ready. If anything happened, they were prepared to meet it head-on.
She was surprised by how tense each group was. They were all Tuann, Graydon a representative of their emperor. Why the stare-off?
"When in another House's territory, it's customary to negotiate the terms of your stay before proceeding," Amila said softly, guessing the direction of Kira's thoughts.
"You're the emperor's people," Kira said. "Why would you need to ask permission?"
Amila looked at Kira, her gaze warm. "Would your leaders step foot in your home without permission?"
Jin snorted. "If they could guarantee she wouldn't kill them? Yes."
Amila's forehead wrinkled as if she was trying to judge the truth of Jin's statement. Kira could have saved her the trouble and told her Jin wasn't joking. The Consortium was ruled by families who had been in power for decades. Yes, representatives were picked by voters, but somehow only the rich ever managed to get elected.
Oh, they'd have some reason for the intrusion, like a threat to galactic security or something like that, but the result would be the same—her rights trampled in the interests of others.
Amila continued her instruction, ignoring Jin's comment. "Each House is a power in its own right. Forcing our way in is possible, but unwise, and will only lead to strife down the road. Graydon prefers to save such measures for when they are absolutely necessary."
Jin snickered. "Perhaps you could learn a thing or two from them, Kira."
She swatted at her friend, unsurprised when he dodged.
The antics drew the notice of the Luatha. The man talking to Graydon paused, looking Kira up and down, his thoughts impenetrable.
"This her, then?" he asked.
"It is," Graydon said.
"Are you sure she's Luatha? She looks nothing like us."
There was some truth in that statement. Every person in green synth armor was tall with varying shades of honey-blond hair, where Kira was short with hair the deep burgundy color of red wine. Theirs was stick-straight, falling in smooth sheets down their backs, while hers was an out of control tentacle monster that hadn't seen a comb in days.
The speaker was tall and thin, his build lanky. Tiny braids held his hair from his face, exposing sharply pointed ears and highlighting his sharp features.
About the only thing Kira had in common with these people were her eyes. Almost every person in green had eyes of varying shades of lilac, some light and faded, others so intense a purple it was hard to believe they were real.
The weird eyes, at least, seemed to be a House trait.
There was suspicion and a faint touch of hostility in the pinched features of the speaker. The same tightness was reflected in the faces of those arranged behind them.
It made Kira want to revisit her fantasy of stealing the shuttle and making a great escape. The nerves from earlier disappeared, leaving her ready for a fight.
Her face carefully blank, she studied them as carefully as they studied her. Somehow, she didn't think these were people overjoyed to have found their lost child. No, they looked more like they'd like to show her to the nearest ship and blast her off planet.
