"Are you all right?" Finn asked.
"Fine." Kira dismissed his question with barely a thought. "Who are they?"
Finn's frown deepened, but he didn't press. "They look like hopefuls, seeking to become initiates in Roake's House. A call went out yesterday announcing a trial for those interested in gaining an apprenticeship within Roake’s ranks."
Startled, Kira took the newcomers in. "Like Joule?"
Finn inclined his head. "They’ll likely be his peers. All from different Houses and backgrounds. Alliances and connections will be formed and broken over the next few weeks as they seek to advance their training."
Good to know. Kira left the strangers behind as she headed to where Graydon waited. Raider had finally corralled Blue and managed to herd her toward them.
With a sense of resignation, Kira took in the stairs and nearly groaned. Going up those was going to be a bitch and a half.
Graydon stepped close, bending slightly so only she could hear. "Show no fear. They take getting used to, but once you earn their regard, there are none more loyal."
Puzzlement settled on Kira's face. She saw the reason for the warning seconds later when a man stepped into view, seemingly appearing out of the rock. Kira jolted, adrenaline sending the throb of her headache to piercing levels. Her hand dropped to a weapon that wasn't there.
She growled at the lack even as Raider swore, dropping into a defensive crouch.
Blue yipped, her hands moving to her pockets.
Graydon and his people remained unmoving. Their postures were relaxed, their expressions calm. A friend then.
Kira reached out, grabbing Blue's hand before she could withdraw the device Kira suspected she had on her. If she knew Blue, it wouldn't look like a weapon, but it would hurt a person like one.
"Wait," she urged.
More than one perceptive gaze caught her action.
Blue grumbled, even as she subsided.
"Commander, it's good to see you again," the man in front said as he bowed his head.
Graydon nodded back. "As it is you, Makon."
The stranger examined those standing on the wide platform. His eyes met Kira's for a brief second, flickering before his expression smoothed into neutral lines.
Like most of the Tuann Kira had met, he seemed ageless. Neither old nor young. No beginning or end, just years stretching infinitely behind and ahead of him.
It made it impossible to guess his age. He could be Graydon's contemporary or his senior by centuries for all Kira could tell.
Authority was written on every line of his face. Despite that, he managed to seem almost serene. Reassuring even. He had the type of presence that made you want to confide and trust in him, like he'd listen to your woes and offer wise counsel.
His skin was the color of night, his hair cut close to his skull, exposing pointed ears. The golden amber of his gaze swept over the rest of those present.
He was tall with broad shoulders and a long, slim build of someone built for speed rather than power. Kira was willing to bet the enemy never saw him coming. He'd make a pretty good assassin, especially with that trick of appearing out of thin air.
Other Tuann appeared one by one on the ledges above.
The Tuann she’d mistaken as travelers stirred with unease at the evidence that they weren't alone and probably hadn't been for quite some time.
Camouflage. It had to be. It was some of the best Kira had ever seen, making the user indistinguishable from the rock.
Every one of the Tuann above wore the deep blue-black of House Roake's synth armor. More than one set of eyes lingered on Kira before taking in the rest of those assembled.
One man, in particular, drew her eye. He was tall, broad-shouldered, even more muscular than Graydon. He had the fierce countenance of a warrior who had seen and survived many battles. His hair was half pulled away from his face, a shade nearly identical to the wine red of her own. A vertical scar ran over one eye and down one cheek. Whoever had given him that scar had missed taking his eye by millimeters.
His stare was intense. Penetrating. A trim beard shadowed his jaw and above his lip.
