Kira studied the statue, considering his words carefully.
Himoto and the rest of the military lacked some very crucial pieces of information when it came to understanding the Tuann.
This wasn't a simple feudal society with clear lines. Hidden subtleties shaded everything.
Children were protected. They were the fragile future of the race. Kira could see why she was lumped in with them. A child couldn't be challenged to personal combat by an adult, nor could they carry out any of the many duties of an adult Tuann. They weren't responsible for their mistakes as an adult would be—all necessary factors to consider when you were entering their society as an adult with none of their training.
Without proving her control over the soul’s breath, she would always be relegated to a supporting role, her desires overridden by those more powerful than she.
Fear kept her silent. She did not want to be trapped here forever.
Revealing she had inherited more from them than they assumed, might do just that. Her control was elusive at best. If she'd tried Graydon’s trick, she'd have reduced the statue to dust—along with everything else within twenty feet.
"Just because someone doesn’t possess the ability to harness the soul’s breath doesn't mean they should be considered a second-class citizen," Kira said softly.
People could have other skills, ones as important as manipulating energy.
Graydon inclined his head. "I agree with you, but there are things you aren’t considering. Just as much duty rests on the shoulders who pass the adva ka as those who do not."
Kira knew Graydon meant what he said. There was a purity when he spoke about the obligations each had to the other. Unfortunately, the Tuann were entirely too much like humans, their emotions complex and their motivations just as likely to be selfish.
Graydon might believe what he was saying, but she'd seen too much to think it could be anywhere near that simple. People in power inevitably took advantage of those weaker than them. Just as those who could never rise, would eventually become resentful of those they envied.
She sighed, the issue was more morally complex than it seemed.
As an outsider she saw things differently, but it didn't mean she was right. For that reason, she left the subject alone. She couldn’t argue against something she was only beginning to understand.
"Why would my death impact her at all?" Kira asked. "Besides the fact the Consortium would strongly object."
Unless they were offered a dozen ships and an ironclad alliance. Then they might overlook the fact Kira had once been one of theirs.
"There are several parties besides those you've seen who've taken an interest in your existence," Graydon said, seeming to choose his words carefully. "The emperor is one. He would be upset if you were murdered by your own House."
"It's about perception," Joule said, interjecting.
He caught their attention.
"If the Luatha were behind the death of a child who hadn’t passed their adva ka, it would be a serious breach of their most sacred duties. The Houses were created to shelter those too weak to protect themselves. A betrayal of that magnitude would call their entire existence into question."
"He is correct," Graydon said with a faint smile.
Joule straightened, pride in his expression.
"If we take all that into account, we can assume someone is deliberately trying to weaken Luatha. Probably so they can create a chink in their defenses," Kira supplied.
When you followed that reasoning, it would be understandable to assume Roderick was a part of the conspiracy. Since her arrival, he'd been deliberately obtuse regarding his duty. Not just incompetent but almost maliciously so.
Kira hesitated to point all the blame at him, knowing there might be other explanations. It could be he was simply untrained and in over his head, allowing his emotions to cloud his judgment.
"Roderick was appointed by Alma and Rayan, the seneschal and majordomo who served as Liara’s regents until she came of age," Joule supplied. "The gossip is she wishes to replace him, but she doesn’t want to go against the other two."
"How do you know that?" Kira asked.
He shrugged. "They consider me harmless because of my age. It makes them less guarded in their words. I listen."
"Smart."
He gave her a grin, the expression bright and open. The stress and worry he seemed to carry with him everywhere lifted for a brief moment.
Kira gave Graydon a sidelong look, several things beginning to make sense now. "You knew about the rot in this House. You're using Joule’s and my presence to work on behalf of the emperor's interests."
It wasn't a question. It was the only answer that made sense. Graydon's duty should have been over as soon as he delivered them to Luatha. That he hadn't abandoned them immediately, but chose to stay and insert himself into events, said he had an ulterior motive.
She suspected he'd been looking for a reason to remain once he delivered Joule and Ziva. Her discovery had given him the opening he needed.
"You must have been counting your lucky stars when you found me," she said.
Graydon didn't look away from her, his carefully neutral expression confirmation enough.
"I don't like being used," she told him softly.
Shrewd amusement tinged his expression. "But you are perfectly willing to use others. Or are you not here to negotiate on behalf of the humans—I believe they want several ships?"
He stepped closer, his shoulder brushing hers as he leaned closer and murmured. "Face it, coli, we're in a position to use each other. Might as well take advantage of that."
He didn't take his gaze from hers as he moved back, giving her the slightest bit of space.
Her lips curved in a sly smile. She couldn't argue with that. "What are you suggesting?"
"We help each other where we can," he said with a small shrug.
She considered him. It was tempting, even as her instincts warned he was playing a deep game, one with potentially devastating consequences.
Still, did she have many options?
"Alright, you're on," she said, agreeing to the alliance.
Joule shifted beside her, drawing her attention.
"On one condition, you or one of your minions help train Joule," she said.
Joule's eyes were wide as he looked between the two of them, a painful hope on his face.
"There are reasons we leave the training of the young for their House. My interference might make it harder for him to find his place later," Graydon said.
Kira shrugged. "He can make the decision of whether to take the risk or not."
"I would," Joule burst out. "I definitely would. My parents started me on an oshota’s training."
"Perfect. It's settled. I won't say anything about your real purpose for being here. You don't say anything about mine, and we both carry on like nothing happened," Kira said.
Graydon gave her a veiled look, his expression turning slightly smug. "Very well. You have a deal."
He started along the path again, turning the corner as they stepped down several weather-beaten stone stairs into an orchard of carefully manicured trees.
It was pretty, but tame. Kira preferred the wildness of the forest outside the Citadel.