The structure was more massive than Elena had predicted. Every bit as complex as Roake's fortress. She'd have to pay careful attention if she hoped to make use of this information later.
"Who?" she asked, ticking another turn off in her mind.
"Her."
Elena frowned as she realized who he was talking about. "You mean Kira."
The name felt awkward on her tongue without the title of aunt in front of it. Too short. Not nearly majestic enough to encompass all that her auntie was.
The general grunted in agreement.
Elena beamed. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"You shouldn't. She's a menace."
Elena lagged behind, baring her teeth at the general's back in rage. How dare he say that about Auntie?
If she hadn't promised to be on her best behavior, she would have attempted murder. His. Not hers.
Maybe she could take him unaware. Strike with the element of surprise.
Elena eyed the general's back as he stopped in front of a massive, several stories tall opening that looked like one of those strange doors that were everywhere on Ta Sa'Riel. The ones with all the arches.
Though why anyone needed such a big doorway mystified her. It seemed like a waste of material and time to her. Was there anything inside the structure massive enough to make it necessary?
A giant might be tall enough. You know, if there were such things as giants.
"Something I said?" the general asked, noticing Elena's absentmindedness.
"Nothing," Elena answered, remembering why she'd gone off on that tangent in the first place.
She breathed slowly in and out. Don't attack the big, scary general, El. Auntie would be most displeased if she found out later.
The general hummed, dismissing the topic as he led her through the giant arch into the outdoors for the first time since her arrival on this planet.
Elena lifted a hand to shade her eyes. After the dim light of the pit, the bright sunlight was piercing.
It took a moment for Elena's eyes to adjust. She blinked rapidly, gasping as the cityscape came into focus. Instead of a desolate, barren wasteland, this world was lush and filled with life. Alien trees and plants provided a counterpoint to towering, oblong structures that sprouted from the land like quills on a porcupine. They stabbed the sky's belly. Their dark stone soaking up the light.
There were other structures. Dozens of them. All integrated into the terrain's natural features.
The general started down the steps to the avenue below. Elena pulled her gaze from the landscape to hurry after him.
"Idolizing the Phoenix will only lead to heartache and loss," the general informed her when she caught up.
"Says you."
The general shook his head at Elena. "You're a fool."
Elena shrugged. "Then I'm a fool."
She was willing to accept that. Elena knew who Auntie was and that was good enough for her. There was no point wasting her breath arguing the case with one of Auntie's enemies.
"What am I supposed to call you anyway?" Elena asked.
She was getting tired of addressing him as 'you' or 'general' in her head.
The general stared before he gave another shake of his head. “Ajix.”
