Though it was about to.
Kira could feel the pressure in the air, the sapping of the ki barrier around the circle.
It was mere moments from opening.
“It’s going to. We should be standing there when it does.”
Devon’s argument made sense to a certain degree. There was a reason for the saying “first come, first served.”
However, Kira thought caution was the better part of valor in this moment.
The Tuann were a tricky lot. There was no telling what traps lay between here and there.
Not to mention, she was almost certain there were those lying-in ambush waiting to pick off the unwary.
“Is there any reward for being first?” Kira asked, trying to use logic rather than force.
Devon wasn’t her soldier. She couldn’t order him to stay put and expect obedience. Not to mention, by explaining her reasoning, she hoped he would learn something.
Unfortunately, Devon stubbornness didn’t allow him to see the concession she was so graciously making. That was a trait he and Jin shared.
Through the comms, Jin snickered. “I like his fire. Let him go. I think he could make it across by himself. If not, he’ll make a stellar pin cushion distraction.”
Kira wasn’t doing that. For some reason, she felt an obligation to Devon.
Whether that was because of Jin or the fact she could see his potential, she didn’t want to abandon him unless he made her lose her temper.
“Not officially,” Joule answered for him. “But impressing the audience can lead to a more advantageous position in your birth House or another should you choose to relocate.”
“Neither of you are planning to join a House,” Kira pointed out calmly. “So, what’s the point of assuming all the risk when there’s no reward at the end of it?”
Devon avoided her gaze, the stubbornness in his face fading but not entirely disappearing.
Ah. Reputation.
Devon’s flaw was that he was ambitious. He wanted to create a name for himself. Like Graydon. And his father.
Ambition wasn’t always a bad thing, but if he wasn’t careful, it would get him killed.
Possibly others if he did stupid things in their vicinity.
“Legends often have short lives,” Kira told him.
If he wanted to be one of those idiots, he was welcome to try—but not at the expense of doing things properly.
A whistle caught their attention.
They looked up to see Raider tilt his head at the open stretch of ground. “You want a reason. Look there.”
Three individuals burst out of a break in the wall as the symbol overhead finally changed over. They raced across the floor toward the safe zone.
They’d made it a quarter of the way when the sound of zuipis being charged filled the air. Energy arrows launched in their direction as the person at the rear shouted a warning.
He stopped, spinning to throw up a shield.
He never finished as the ground erupted next to his foot. The person who’d lain in wait rose, slashing at him with their sword.
Unprepared for the ambush, the man never had a chance.
