Kira couldn't help but be impressed with the structure’s interior. It reminded her of an ancient castle, the architecture serviceable rather than ornate. The dramatic arched hallways and large rooms managed to save it from plainness as the group wound through the lower levels. The fortress’s staircases became less wide and majestic the further they descended, until they ended up in an unassuming hallway lined with plain doors.
"These will be your quarters for the time being," Loudon told Blue and Raider. "Normally, guests are housed on one of the upper levels, but since you've expressed a desire to undertake Roake's training, the Overlord thought these would be more suitable."
As he spoke, Blue and Raider opened the doors indicated, entering sparse rooms; their only furniture a bed, desk and wardrobe for clothes. The space was narrow and tight, without a window to let in the light.
Raider looked around and shrugged. "These are more than enough. They're bigger than most of the berths I've called home."
Blue nodded. "I doubt we'll be spending much time in them anyway."
Loudon sketched a partial bow. "I'll leave you to get settled then. Every room in this corridor is equipped with chimes to tell you when training events start. Tomorrow, assemble in the Warrior's Hall at 0900 human standard time. You'll learn more then."
Raider and Blue nodded their assent as Loudon walked toward Kira, indicating she should follow. She easily fell into step with him, Finn shadowing.
"I apologize for the accommodations," Loudon said. "This is not how a daughter of the House is usually greeted."
Kira lifted a shoulder, dismissing the sentiment. "As Raider said, the rooms are plenty big enough."
Her room on theWandererwas about the same size. She wasn't here to be pampered. She was here to heal herself and maybe learn a little about controlling herkiif she was lucky.
"Still, it can't be the homecoming you were expecting," Loudon said, his gaze sympathetic. "Your uncle is a hard man to understand, but he usually has a reason for doing things the way he does."
Kira had no doubt, but whatever his game, she had no intention of playing it. Her mission was simple. Heal. Pass theadva kaand achieve some measure of control before going her merry way.
Simple—even if the execution was not. Whatever politics or maneuvering her uncle or anyone else had in mind, she wanted no part in them.
Kira didn't bother explaining any of that to Loudon. It was clear he was her uncle's man. Even if he seemed sincere, he wasn't an ally nor a friend.
She made a noncommittal noise she hoped he would take as understanding.
"This is you," Loudon said, stopping beside a door several down from Raider's and Blue's.
Kira opened it, unsurprised to find a room even smaller and sparser—if that was possible—than her former soldiers in arms. Like theirs, there was little furniture. A bed made up with the sort of military corners and crisp lines a few of her past NCOs would have been overjoyed to see.
The bed and wardrobe looked worn out and well used, chips and dings obvious even from here. A hole had been punched into one wall. Kira raised an eyebrow, impressed. It would have taken a lot of strength to crumple the stone like that.
There were no rugs or decorations of any kind. Nothing to soften the austere interior. That suited Kira well enough. She hadn't grown up with such things, and even now, they were few and far between.
After Loudon's hint, she read her uncle's message loud and clear. He didn't care if she was here against her wishes. She'd be treated like everyone else. That was all right. She was used to making her own way.
"Home sweet home," Kira said with a look around.
"I'll leave you to get comfortable," Loudon said with a partial bow.
She murmured a quick goodbye as Finn lingered at the threshold, the faintest edge of uneasiness in his posture.
Kira said over her shoulder. "I don't think this room is big enough for you to watch me sleep as you did on Ta Da'an."
That had Finn straightening. "My duty is to protect you."
Kira gestured at the small space. "Not a lot of ways to attack me in here. You can guard me from outside."
His jaw ticked, his teeth clenching as he considered his argument, but quickly discarded it. Kira's words had been the truth. There was no other egress or ingress than the door in which he still stood. The quarters were comfortable for one, but two would be tight.
"Don't you trust Roake? They're your people," Kira challenged.
"Dangers can come from within and without." Finn's words were stilted.
True enough.
