"All the girls would worship at your feet," Jin assured him.
Graydon's face turned slightly disgusted as he shook his head. He strode off, saying over his shoulder, "Come. Roderick won't be patient long."
"I would like to see him in a cape as well," Amila murmured in an undertone to Kira.
Kira sputtered, losing the battle against her mirth.
A woman took the opportunity to approach. She wore a simple dress and her hair was bound in an unadorned tail down her back. She was the only one on the field besides Kira not wearing synth armor.
"Lady, my name is Ayela. I've been assigned to carry your things," she said in accented standard. Her smile was polite as she bowed her head diffidently.
"You're off the hook then," Jin said, sounding bored.
Confusion shown on Ayela's face.
"I'm sorry, but I don't have anything for you to carry," Kira explained.
Ayela's mouth opened in a small O. "How could your people send you so far with nothing? That is barbarous."
Kira's smile grew forced at the accusation implied there. "I chose to come like this."
Ayela blinked, aware she’d slipped somewhere. "I'm sorry, lady. I meant no offense."
Kira buried her emotions. "None taken. If you'll excuse me, I don't want to fall behind."
"Oh, but—I'm supposed to escort you." Ayela's protest fell on deaf ears as Kira strode away.
"Will all of your people think of humans as barbarians?" Kira asked Amila as they followed the path Graydon had taken.
Amila hesitated. Her silence confirmed Kira’s suspicion.
Kira frowned. If they thought of humans as less than themselves, the same sentiment would filter to Kira since she had spent considerable time among them.
"Not many will be so bold as to do so to your face," Amila admitted. "Strange, that one of her station would be so rude."
Kira didn't comment as she caught up to Graydon and the others.
At the edge of the clearing, she paused, giving the second shuttle a long look where it waited, not having disgorged its passengers yet.
"Leave them," Graydon ordered, instantly setting Kira's back up again.
She sent him a hard look. Not this again.
He rolled his eyes. "You need to do this without them. Meeting the Overlord of House Luatha is an important opportunity, one best accomplished without their polarizing presence."
Kira hesitated, part of her wanting to cling to the familiarity of Jace and the others’ presence. The rest of her understood what Graydon was saying. Until she understood more of what fueled the dislike in the Tuann toward humans, she would be best served perceived as a neutral party. Staying on the Luathan's good side would increase the chance of her attaining her twin goals.
Still, something bothered her about the request. It was like being asked to forget the things and people who defined her—to put them aside because they no longer served her purpose. He was asking her to bury the pieces of her history that had shaped who she’d become.
Humans, whatever they might mean to the Tuann, had saved her. At her lowest moments, they'd found her, given her warmth and companionship. Not just once, but many times. She'd sacrificed more than Graydon would ever know for humanity's cause, for their very survival.
She might have distanced herself from them, but it didn't mean she'd forgotten. Nor did she plan to leave them behind because it was convenient.
Graydon waited patiently as she worked through her possible responses, making no move to hurry her along. He gave her the time to come to her own conclusion even when the Luatha stirred, impatient.
His understanding was what decided her.
She inclined her head. For now, she'd follow his lead.
