"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 she 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.