"This is what you've been doing all this time?" Jin asked from her collar.
"There's usually a lot more running involved," Kira told him. "Also, I thought we agreed you would be motionless and silent."
The lizard's face was stubborn as he looked up at her.
"Why don't we get to doing that?" she suggested.
A small huff came from the lizard before it curled around her neck, clasping its tail in its paws to create a torc. "Sheesh, you're so grumpy when you're upset with yourself."
"I'm not upset with myself," Kira said quietly.
"You know people will think you’re crazy if they catch you talking to yourself like this," Raider suggested.
Kira jumped, spinning to find him standing behind her.
He was quiet for a long time, his expression unreadable.
Kira wiped her hands on her legs and grasped for something to say. Regret from last night lingered, making it difficult.
"Is that Raider?" The lizard’s head lifted, his tail flicking. "How's your hangover, meat sack?"
Raider shuffled closer, bending for a better look at Kira's necklace. "Why is Jin's voice coming out of a lizard?"
Kira was too tempted with the prospect of chucking the lizard down the nearest dark hole to answer.
The lizard preened. "I've spawned a mini me. Do you like?"
A look of horror descended on Raider's face. "The universe doesn't need any more of you."
The lizard blew a raspberry. "How rude."
In this, Kira was inclined to agree. More versions of Jin scuttling around weren't pleasant to contemplate.
"How did he convince you to go along with this?" Raider asked.
Kira was slow to answer, the question taking her off guard. She'd expected antagonism. Anger. Some of the fury the old Raider had been so good at generating to blast her, leaving her feeling about two inches high.
This Raider acted like last night had never happened.
"He has his moments," Kira said, distracted.
Raider's behavior didn't make sense. She knew him as well as she might a sibling. She might not always like him, or he, her, but she knew him backward and forward.
This behavior was atypical. It left her suspicious and on guard.
"If you say so," Raider said before continuing toward Blue.
Kira watched him go, wondering what game he was playing.
"That was weird," Jin said, echoing her thoughts.
Kira made a sound of agreement.
They didn't have time to ponder his shift in behavior as Graydon, Wren, and Maida appeared on the balcony above.
The initiates fell silent, turning their attention to the three.
Wren stepped forward. "As warriors, we must be ever vigilant. It is why every warrior of Roake takes a turn on patrol. Today, you will join the ranks of those who've risked their lives on behalf of this House."
