It was nearly unheard of for one so young to be elevated to that rank.
Yet she’d participated in a race that was thoroughly human. It showed her thirst for excellence wasn’t only limited to her own people’s culture and ideals.
Among the Haldeel she’d likely be considered a strange one.
Kira was starting to see why Tierni had included Skye in this banquet, and why she’d allowed this challenge despite the forum.
The corners of Kira’s eyes crinkled. “Me too.”
Hope brightened Skye’s expression. Her eyes glittered with excitement and anticipation.
“All right then, do it properly,” Kira instructed, ignoring Yukina’s soft protest.
The girl took a step back before forming a fist with her right hand and setting it on her flattened left palm. She thumped herself in the chest with them then bowed.
"Esteemed lady, please hear this humble one's request. It would be my greatest honor if you deigned to undertake my latest offering."
The words were different than the other challenges. Those had been to the Tuann and humans as a whole and part of a greater narrative. This was to an individual. It was up to Kira whether to accept or not.
In a way, it was much more intimate than the other two challenges.
For someone who’d likely just achieved the title of puzzle master, Skye would lose face in their society if Kira refused.
On the other hand, if Kira tried and failed, she’d be the one they looked down on.
It was a carefully balanced game of give and take.
"You should walk away from this,” Yukina advised in a thinly veiled order.
Kira ignored her and grinned at Skye. "Now, was that so hard?"
Stepping past the girl, Kira headed toward the floating stage.
Skye's head popped up. "Really?"
"Sometimes it's best not to ask too many questions," Jin warned. To Kira, "It's been awhile since we participated in something like this."
"Let's hope we don't make utter fools of ourselves," Kira returned.
Otherwise the opportunity Tierni had so kindly arranged to have dropped in her lap would go to waste.
"What made you choose me?" Kira asked as the girl hurried to keep up.
"The human told me you're the one who directed him to save me," she answered as they approached the platform and the Haldeel waiting there.
"You decided from that?"
Kira studied Lieven carefully where he waited by the platform, his hands clasped behind him; his expression calm.
That was an unexpected addition to the event—especially in light of the fact he was considered a master at this. Last time they’d gone head-to-head, Kira only beat him by the narrowest of margins.
Chances were he’d gotten better in the time since. Whereas Kira had only played on the rare occasions they stopped on a planet or station that had a stratagem present.
“They’ve brought out the big guns. Looks like they don’t plan on making this easy,” Kira muttered.
“Nope,” Jin responded.
"I know you're the reason behind theza na ri na’sreturn. I’ve heard the stories of how you saved her,” Skye said.
