by T. A. White
The ceilings were high, and voices echoed off stone walls.
Finn wasted no time leading her inside, sticking to the edge of the hall as they skirted the softer mats covering the majority of the room. Much like tatami mats of old dojos, the mats were meant to provide a softer surface for those who spent a lot of time falling. Handwoven and made from a fibrous substance, they added to the overall ambiance of the hall.
The familiar scent of sweat mixed with the slightest tang of blood filled the air as Kira moved along the wall, watching Tuann spar. Those initiates who had finished the Trek of the Weary were already present. Some sparred with their peers. Others watched with interest from the sidelines in the same way Kira was.
Blake and Rheya lingered a short distance from the new initiates, their gazes appraising. Interest sparked as they caught sight of Kira. She pretended not to notice as she moved on.
Areas were set up for simulations, their boundaries clearly marked. On one side of the hall, a wall was papered over with square banners. Many were a vivid blue, their lettering a stark white against the backdrop. Others had paled, time leaching the color out of them.
A Tuann warrior bowed his head in front of one, touching his first two fingers to his lips before pressing them against the white lettering.
It was a memorial, Kira realized. The reverence and respect she saw on the warrior's face as he strode away said it could be nothing else.
Kira moved closer, her gaze roving over the banners filled with characters she had no hope of deciphering without Jin's assistance.
She didn't need him to know what these were, however. She'd bet everything she owned these banners represented the names of the fallen.
A finger pointed over her shoulder at a banner, center mass and much larger than those around it. Unlike most, which jockeyed for an unobstructed place on the wall, this one stood alone in a place of clear honor. "That name belongs to your father, the previous Overlord."
Rheya stepped up beside Kira, bowing her head briefly. Her respects paid, her attention shifted to Kira, her gaze assessing.
A few feet away, Blake waited, his boredom evident as he studied the rest of the room. When he caught Kira looking, he dipped his chin in acknowledgment.
"I'm Rheya. That's Blake," Rheya said. "I know we met in the med bay, but you didn't look like you'd appreciate an introduction then."
Kira made an interested sound, only half paying attention. The majority of her focus was on Blue and Raider, where they lingered along the wall. Her former squad mates watched the sparring with deep interest, content to gather information before engaging.
Kira returned her attention to Rheya and waited, figuring the woman would reveal why she'd approached Kira soon enough.
An awkward silence ensued.
Rheya's hands fidgeted with the blade she carried on her waist, the only sign of her discomfort. "We're House Roake too."
Kira had assumed as much considering their presence with the healer.
"You'll have to forgive Kira; she's not big on talking to strangers," Raider said as he approached.
Caution settled on Rheya's face as Raider greeted Kira, the same distrust Kira had seen on other Tuann's faces when confronted with a human evident.
"You're late," he told her.
"Liar," she grunted. "I'm right on time."
He grunted and jerked his thumb at where a group sparred, their blows sending meaty thunks through the room. "I thought we'd seen the end of them."
Kira peered over his shoulder at Isla and Amila as they danced across the floor, their blades keeping a staccato beat as they clashed. The show they put on was impressive, leading more than one initiate to watch out of the corner of their eyes.
Amila swung at Isla's head, the blade whistling past as the smaller woman ducked before stepping toward Amila and striking at her torso. Amila danced back, narrowly avoiding catching the blade across her chest.
She grinned fiercely at her fellow oshota before lunging close, the two exchanging a flurry of blows in a demonstration that was as breathtaking as it was staged.
Solal, Graydon's first, barked instructions from the sidelines.
Kira gritted her teeth. If they were here, that meant Graydon was too.
As if sensing the direction of her thoughts, Graydon appeared at the entrance of the hallway. He paused, scanning those present. When he spotted her, he started toward her, his stride purposeful as those in his path cleared the way.
Kira fought the urge to groan as a high-pitched sound escaped Rheya. She didn't need to look to know there was a mixture of terror and excitement on the other woman's face. Graydon was like a rock star to the Tuann. His presence both intimidating and exhilarating.
The fact he'd fixated on Kira was as incomprehensible as it was troublesome.
"Don't you ever work?" she asked when he stopped, forestalling whatever remark he'd been about to make.
Rheya made a strangled sound as Blake dropped his pretense of boredom and watched Kira with reluctant respect.
Kira ignored them, interested in Graydon's response. As the Emperor's Face, he had a duty to his people. He didn't have time to waste lingering around like a lovesick fool. If he was here, it meant he had a reason. Kira found herself curious as to what it was and if it held the potential to impact her.
While his agenda might be his priority, Kira didn't fool herself. Graydon was a master manipulator, capable of achieving multiple objectives at a time.
"Outside interests have dictated my continued presence here," Graydon informed her.
Kira arched an eyebrow. "Oh, goody."
Graydon's smirk widened into a full-fledged grin, the expression that of a happy dragon toying with his prey.
Others in the room started to take notice until the focus rested on the two of them.
In the corner, Isla and Amila finished their sparring. Isla sent a respectful nod to Graydon and Kira while Amila covered her mouth to hide her smile.
So glad somebody found this situation amusing. Kira did not.
Rheya sketched a deep bow, Blake following suit. After a long moment, Graydon pulled his gaze from Kira, his expression softening as he acknowledged the other two.
"Rheya, Blake, I hear from the Overlord your training is progressing nicely," Graydon said.
Pleasure crossed their faces.
"I was about to ask Lady Kira if she would like a bout," Rheya offered.
Kira blinked.
"How unexpected," Jin crooned. "I wonder why she wants to fight you."
Kira held in her flinch at Jin's voice over her comms. Irritation flicked through her at being unable to respond without looking like a crazy person.
If Graydon hadn't been standing right there, she might have been tempted to do that. Unfortunately, Graydon had experience with the two of them. He'd see right through any subterfuge, making Jin’s attempt at staying hidden pointless.
Seeing Kira's hesitation, Rheya explained, "The bouts are a good way to showcase your skills. Although the prospective mentors seem absent, they're likely observing." She pointed toward two spots on the longest wall, both appearing as stone. "There's a balcony the Overlord and the higher-ranking members of the House can use to observe training."
Jin made an admiring sound. "Now isn't that interesting? Another hidden doorway. I'm beginning to sense a theme."
Kira was too, and it wasn't one she liked.
Jin's voice was thoughtful as he mused, "It does present an interesting conundrum. How long do you think they've been watching you without your knowledge?" He paused. "Do you think some of these hidden doors are in our room?"
Kira didn't know, but Jin had better find out if he knew what was good for him.
"I wonder if I could steal that technology. It'd come in handy on the Wanderer."
He'd better not even think about it.
Kira considered Rheya's offer, trying to see the motive behind it. Rheya wasn't her friend. She had no vested interest in seeing Kira succeed, and if s
he was anything like other Tuann Kira had already met, she'd likely assume Kira's combat skills were low.
Graydon's expression was inscrutable. "I'm sure Commander Wren's presence is exciting for you. It’s almost unheard of for him to agree to act as an instructor. I seem to remember you admired him at one point."
Rheya was unable to suppress her excitement. "Word is he plans to take an apprentice or two from those preparing for the adva ka if they impress him."
Ah, so that was it.
Rheya wanted to use Kira to make herself look good in front of her hero. Not a bad plan, except she didn't factor in that Kira was well versed in fighting. She wouldn't be the easy prey Rheya assumed.
Although, she could purposely lose, Kira supposed. Make sure the rest underestimated her.
"I fear your match will have to wait. The Lady Kira and I have a difference of opinion to settle from Ta Da'an." Graydon didn't wait for Rheya's reaction, guiding Kira away before she could protest or think of a reason to refuse.
"This is a bit presumptuous; don't you think?" Kira asked under her breath. Especially since she didn't recall a difference of opinion that needed resolving.
"You know you've been itching to see how your skills compare to mine. I thought I'd save you the trouble of asking." Graydon threw down the gauntlet, his lips twitching.
"He's got you there," Jin quipped.
Kira glared at a spot on the other wall, a retort for Jin on the tip of her tongue. She swallowed it back. Both Graydon and Jin had a point.
Kira had seen Graydon fight. He was impressive. Powerful, strong, and surprisingly quick for such a big man.
It was second nature for Kira to see a difficult foe and want to test her skills against them. Few could match her. Graydon was one who might, one she itched to test.
Until now, she'd throttled the urge, not wanting to reveal the extent of her talents. Her reasoning no longer held. Graydon and his oshota had gotten a good look at what she was capable of on Ta Da'an. Protesting the matter would only insult them both.
This had been inevitable almost from the moment they met.
"Besides, breaking the children won't endear you to Roake," he said with a purposeful look. "And this way, you can't purposely lose because you know I'll hold it over your head forever."
The anticipation that had been slowly filling her sputtered as Jin chortled. "I think I'm beginning to like the Mountain's idea of flirting."
A small growl escaped Kira, the only response she could make.
That only prompted Jin to cackle hysterically. "I take back my objection to being stuck in this room. I'm starting to see the benefits of remaining behind. I can say anything I want, and there's nothing you can do."
Maybe not now, but when she caught up to him again, she was going to rewire all of his circuit boards. Let him wait.
Graydon found them a small square of mat not occupied.
"This will certainly be a treat," Amila said, offering her blade to Kira. "I don't think the commander has found an opponent to challenge in years. Let's hope you're worthy of the honor."
"I'm probably not." Kira took the blade, swinging it a few times to test the grip and weight. Not bad. It was light, and the handle felt at home in her hand. Comfortable, the guard and pommel were perfect for both being wielded by one hand or two.
Matte black, the blade was slightly curved, its tip coming to a point. There was only one sharp side for cutting.
It was similar enough to other blades Kira had wielded that she shouldn't have any problems.
"Don't be so humble," Amila advised. "You forget I saw you fight a horde of Tsavitee."
Kira ignored the reminder, focusing on her opponent. Despite Graydon's claim to the contrary, it was a given that she'd lose. Defeating the Emperor's Face, even in a simple practice match, would bring attention she didn't want, but that didn't mean she couldn't give those watching a good show.
He was right in that she couldn't half-ass this. Pride and her own competitiveness wouldn't allow her.
She raised her hand and frowned at the cuff. It would have been better to test her new limits prior to sparring with anyone. Quillon hadn't been lying when he said she would feel like she'd lost an important limb.
Reaction time. Speed. Endurance. All were question marks for now. Not the best strategy for facing a powerful opponent.
She dropped her hand and studied Graydon. Without the disrupter, his speed nearly matched Kira’s, and he'd demonstrated a superior fighting ability.
Yes, this was going to be a challenge.
"Kick his ass, Nixxy," Blue yelled from the sidelines.
The rest of the training hall had given up any appearance of ignoring them. Kira grimaced at the idea of an audience.
Graydon raised an eyebrow. "Feeling shy?"
She made a dismissive sound in her throat as she settled into a defensive stance. "Let's get this over with."
The background noise faded away as her attention locked on her opponent. She exhaled, finding that sweet space in her head where nothing else mattered but figuring out what an enemy was about to do and countering it. The focus settled over her like a well-loved blanket. Familiar and nostalgic.
Graydon waited, his stance easy, no obvious holes in it.
Amila stepped forward. "As the younger opponent, you get first blow."
Kira arched an eyebrow. "How kind."
Graydon bared his teeth in challenge. "It's because you're considered weaker."
Kira's eyes narrowed, reading the jab for what it was, meant to prick her temper and make her come at him full strength.
It was working.
"In that case." Kira's stance altered. Normally she wouldn't attempt this move, especially right out of the gate. Her feet shifted until they were shoulder length apart, her knees slightly bent as she held her blade with both hands along her left hip as if sheathed. Slow this form might be, but it generated a hell of a lot of power. If he was giving her the opportunity, she was more than happy to take advantage.
Her breathing slowed. She exploded forward, the blade gripped in both hands as she swung it in a powerful diagonal line, aiming for his torso.
The sharp crack of blade hitting blade brought the conversation in the room to a halt.
Kira's shoulders and wrists ached as her sword vibrated from the power of his parry. He'd stopped her an inch from his torso.
Graydon regarded her from over his sword. "Good. You're already taking this seriously."
His stance shifted the barest bit, as his defense broke, letting her sword swish into the spot he'd just been. Kira whirled, taking his strike on the side of her blade. The next instant, she attacked, thrusting, then stepping to the side and pivoting for a swing.
Graydon's laugh was exultant as he blocked. His speed picked up; his blows suddenly more powerful. Kira forgot about losing; all she cared about was surviving.
His blade whistled past her ear. Kira saw an opening and took it. Her foot landed on his bent knee. She used it to launch herself up, scaling him like a tree. She punched the side of his face, gravity, and the unexpectedness of the blow lending it power.
Graydon stumbled, as those around them exclaimed.
"Nice one," Jin crowed.
Raider let out a guttural yell of encouragement.
Graydon's smile was dark as he wiped the trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth.
"First blow to Kira," Amila intoned. Approval gleamed in her eyes.
Graydon inclined his head. "Well done, coli."
Kira's chest heaved from exertion, sweat dampening her shirt as she remained on guard. Graydon wasn't the type to let something like that go unanswered. His next attack would be brutal.
Graydon roared, charging in the next instant. Kira met his intensity with her own. They came together with a crash that filled the room.
Graydon planted a foot and pivoted at the last minute, her blade missing and swinging through the empty air next to him. Kira fought to recover her balance, knowi
ng she was already too late.
She braced as an invisible pressure gathered. He pushed out, a blast leaving his fist. Kira dropped, barely avoiding taking the full brunt of it. Her stomach quivered as she rolled to her feet in a smooth movement, putting distance between them.
Graydon straightened from his crouch, his smile dark and inviting. "That's not all you've got, is it? I'm barely warmed up."
She bared her teeth at him in challenge. He was welcome to end this at any time.
"Come, come. Amuse me for a little while," he told her.
They'd see who was amusing by the end.
Kira crossed the distance between them in three powerful steps; her attack glancing off his guard. They moved quickly across the space, their blades a blur, neither giving the other quarter.
Kira's breath came faster and faster, the weight of the blade dragging at her shoulders and arms. Graydon didn't pause, pressing harder as he backed Kira up.
She ducked, getting distance again.
He shifted with her, firing several ki blasts in succession. She dodged the first and the second, her body contorting to avoid them, even as her blade whipped up to protect her from Graydon's strike.
The last blast ripped through her guard, glancing off the tip of her sword to punch her in the chest. Kira staggered back, barely catching her balance.
Smug arrogance settled on Graydon's face as he waited, making a statement in how he didn't need to take advantage of the sudden break in her defense.
She glared as she rubbed her chest, even as she considered all that she'd learned so far. Most important of which was the blade had deflected some of the power of his ki.
Hm.
"If you're done, we can call it a day," he invited.
Not likely. She hadn't dealt him near enough damage to satisfy herself.
However, he did have a point. Her endurance was shit. She needed to end this before she gassed out.
Kira didn't respond with words, her attack answering for her. This time Graydon didn't bother defending, stretching out one hand, the ki blast already prepared.
She ducked under it, her blade scraping along his side in a solid strike.
He grunted. "Not good enough."
Too late, she saw his stance had shifted, his palm moving to point at her from under his sword. She had no time to dodge the point-blank strike.