"The reason this isn't going to be as easy as you think," Graydon said. "We call it the ki. Roughly translated, it means soul's breath. The en-blades help them manifest their ki to manipulate. Until you learn to use it, you will be at a serious disadvantage should you be challenged to personal combat."
Kira didn't comment, staring across the water as one of the combatants used their ki to create a hole in the drones' defenses.
"Tell me about this soul's breath," she said. "Could you teach me?"
"I could teach you the basic concepts given enough time, but to truly learn you would need to study what your people have to teach you," he said.
"Why?"
"While the ability to manipulate the ki is common to every Tuann, its manifestation varies greatly. Each House has spent generations perfecting its techniques and then passing them down. I couldn’t teach you the Luathan's techniques simply because I don't know them," Graydon said.
Kira looked from the obstacle course up at him, her forehead furrowed in thought.
"What about other techniques?" she asked.
"Each House guards their techniques zealously for their own safety. Giving them to outsiders is tantamount to treason," he said. "Even if I did, it would do you little good. Most of the higher-level techniques are bred into your blood. If you don't hold the talent, then it doesn't matter how much you study, you won't be able to use them."
"And all Tuann have this ability?" Kira asked.
Graydon hesitated. "To a degree."
"He means there are some things we can't tell you until we're more confident of your loyalty," Liara said in a strong voice from behind Kira.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Liara stood, her hands behind her back and her expression serene.
"Overlord,” Graydon said in greeting.
Liara's attention shifted to him, her gaze lacking warmth. "Lord Graydon, you're here at our sufferance. Sharing Tuann secrets with outsiders is forbidden. I believe the emperor is the one who suggested the policy of keeping the existence of the soul's breath from the humans."
Graydon inclined his head. "Your rebuke is wise."
Kira snorted, not buying his humble routine. He'd known exactly what he was doing.
"Here I was thinking you welcomed me with open arms," Kira said lightly, wishing the other woman had come a little later.
Frustration at the interruption ran through her. In response, Kira shifted and fought to keep her emotions in check.
She'd been so close to learning something real, something of vital importance to her.
Because she suspected she knew what the ki was and had used it before. Only her use tended toward more widescale destruction—not a simple shield or pretty blade of light. Helpful during war, but a danger out of it.
When she used this ki, soul's breath, or whatever it was, she wielded it with none of the grace or subtlety exhibited by the Luatha below. Instead, it was like a volcano, scalding hot and destructive.
Her former team hadn't called her the Phoenix for nothing.
Liara gave Kira a soft look. "As much as I wish to share all of our secrets with you, our people have not stood against our enemies for so long without taking certain precautions. There are some things not in our interest to reveal."
Especially when she suspected Kira would turn around and give the information to the Consortium.
Fair enough. Kira had secrets of her own—such as the fact their soul's breath wasn't the secret it should have been. Kira blew that one wide open. Himoto and several highly placed military officials were aware of her capabilities. Had even made use of them on more than one occasion.
"I fear, cousin, there are some things I will never learn then," Kira said with fake disappointment. Her expression sobered. "You may not like them, but the humans are my choice. They will always have my loyalty. If you can't accept that, I suggest ending this now."
Movement from the forest caught Kira's attention. Raider and Finn moved through the trees at a fast clip.
As they neared, Kira saw Raider's furious expression, his face sporting fresh bruises and a cut on his cheek. Finn stalked at his side looking no happier. Unlike Raider, he showed few signs of their disagreement anywhere on him.
The slight tightening of the skin around Liara's eyes and mouth said she saw them too and didn't approve. Her bright eyes came back to Kira's. "We do welcome you, but I have a duty to all those I've pledged to protect. I can't afford to place my trust wrong."
To her credit, she seemed apologetic about that.
Kira gave a shrug. "You'd be an idiot if you didn't have some reservations."
Liara inclined her head, the corners of her lips tilting up.
"Just like I'd be an idiot to place my trust in you," Kira continued, wiping off the ease that had been forming on Liara's face.
"You're family. We don't intend you any harm," Liara said, the words stilted.
A rusty laugh escaped Kira, her expression sympathetic but firm. "We're not family. You're several decades too late for that. We're strangers who happen to share blood. Maybe we can be more, maybe we can't. Only time will tell."
Kira paused, her expression hardening. "Our relationship would be much easier if you drop this ridiculous claim and stop treating me like I'm a child."
Liara's expression remained set, her eyes stricken. "That isn't an option. My station requires I ensure your protection and those who've pledged loyalty to our House."
Kira sighed. She hadn't thought it would work, but she'd needed to give it a try.
The Tuann seemed obsessed with the concept of protection and duty, dedicating their entire society to its altar. They'd turned their values into a noose and wrapped it so tight around their necks they were going to eventually strangle themselves.
It was like a giant, never-ending circle. The overlord protected her people and was protected in turn.
Oaths and honor defined their lives. Break one or step out of their pattern and you were thrown away.
In a way, it reminded Kira of the code of bushido, the way of the samurai from feudal Japan. The samurai had understood being a warrior was about more than your prowess on the battlefield or how skilled you were with your sword. The measure of your worth was in the people you protected, and how you treated them and they you.
They believed in honor, respect, courageous heroism, righteousness, benevolence; all markers she saw in the Tuann to some degree. A few things were different, but the underlying principles remained the same.
It didn't give Kira a lot of hope for herself of ever fitting in. She was a tiger among wolves. A survivor, ready and willing to do what was necessary. It didn’t always leave a lot of room for such luxurious notions as honor. Their way of thinking and acting weren't hers. She doubted they'd ever be.
If Liara knew the real Kira, she'd waste little time in kicking her off the planet. If she didn’t finish what the assassin started first.
That left Kira trying to win her freedom without showing too much of her more ruthless self.
“What if I was too weak to ever be an asset to the House?” Kira challenged
Liara shook her head. “Everyone has a purpose, whether it be big or small. Either way, we would protect you, even onto death.”