The forest grew denser beneath the canopy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The trail they followed had become easier to read. Broken branches protruded from the undergrowth, patches of disturbed soil marked the passage of something heavy, and several saplings had been bent nearly to the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth moved ahead with the confidence of someone who knew the forest well. Her bow remained within easy reach, and her eyes moved constantly between the trail and the surrounding trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 followed several paces behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He wasn’t studying the trail alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His attention moved continuously across the terrain. He measured the distance between trees, noted changes in elevation, identified areas where the undergrowth would restrict movement, and examined the spaces between the trunks where something could remain concealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth noticed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Most people look where they’re walking.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I am.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She glanced over her shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“You’ve spent the last several minutes looking everywhere except at your feet.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I’m not having trouble with my feet.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth exhaled through her nose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another human male who seemed to believe every observation required an argument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“You are remarkably difficult to tolerate.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 offered no response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That irritated her more than an argument would have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They continued deeper into the forest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tracks became clearer. Whatever they were following had considerable mass. Its weight had pressed deep impressions into the damp soil, and several low branches had been snapped at chest height.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth stopped beside one of the impressions and crouched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Amorak.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 examined the print.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“How large?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She looked up at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Large enough to be dangerous.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“That’s not a measurement.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her expression tightened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Do you question everything?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Only information that affects the mission.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She stood and brushed soil from her glove.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Then watch carefully.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth placed her palm against the trunk of a nearby tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a moment, nothing happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then a faint green shimmer moved beneath the bark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ground around her boots shifted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Roots pushed through the soil. Thin vines emerged from the undergrowth and curled around her forearm before sinking back beneath the earth. The vegetation responded to her presence as if it were an extension of her own body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 watched closely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Nature magic.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth turned her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Obviously.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I’ve never seen it used before.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Then perhaps you should pay attention instead of asking questions.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her tone carried more than irritation. It carried the old contempt she reserved for humans\u2014particularly human men who presumed they could teach themselves everything simply by observing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 didn’t react.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That, too, seemed to irritate her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They moved on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several minutes later, Seralyth stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The trees opened into a small clearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An Amorak stood among the shadows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The creature was massive compared with a human, its body heavily muscled and covered in thick, dark hide. Its arms hung low, and long claws curved from its fingers. It was feeding on something beneath the trees, apparently unaware of the two figures watching from the edge of the clearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth slowly removed an arrow from her quiver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 looked at the creature, then at her bow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“You intend to use the bow?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth gave him a sidelong glance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I told you I would show you how an Elf handles an Amorak.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She drew the string.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The arrow struck the creature in the shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Amorak roared and turned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth remained motionless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The creature charged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then the earth moved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Roots erupted from beneath the soil and wrapped around the Amorak’s legs. Its momentum carried it forward, but the roots tightened and pulled its feet together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The creature crashed onto one knee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More roots tore through the earth and wrapped around its torso.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth drew another arrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She released.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The arrow passed directly through the creature’s eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Amorak collapsed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 studied the corpse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Efficient.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth lowered her bow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I didn’t do that for your approval.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I wasn’t giving it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There it was again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The detached confidence of a human male who seemed incapable of recognizing when another person had no interest in his opinion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Perhaps you should learn when silence is preferable.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 turned away from her and studied the surrounding forest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Something’s wrong.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her irritation disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“What?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The birds stopped.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth listened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No insects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No rustling leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even the wind seemed absent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The forest had become unnaturally still.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth slowly reached for another arrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10’s gaze moved across the trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This isn’t normal.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Something enormous moved behind the foliage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The trees shook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then the creature broke through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was nearly twelve feet tall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The High-Amorak possessed the same general shape as the smaller creature they had just killed, but the similarities ended there. Its body was thicker, its limbs considerably more powerful, and its hide appeared almost armored. Long claws extended from enormous hands, and the structure of its head was grotesquely exaggerated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“High-Amorak.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The creature took another step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Its head tilted slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Its attention settled on K-10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For several seconds, neither moved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 watched the creature carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was something unusual about its behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The High-Amorak knew the forest. It knew prey. It knew predators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet it appeared uncertain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It lowered its head and drew in a long breath through its nostrils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 remained still.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The creature wasn’t afraid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was confused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Something about him did not fit anything the animal understood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth noticed it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Why isn’t it attacking?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I don’t know.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The High-Amorak lowered its shoulders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Its lips pulled backward, exposing rows of enormous teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whatever hesitation had restrained it was gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Its chest began to expand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 recognized the movement before Seralyth did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Get down.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The howl struck before either could fully prepare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was more than sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The force of it passed through the clearing like a physical impact. Seralyth dropped instantly, her body locking beneath the assault.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 staggered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His muscles seized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a moment, he couldn’t move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then training overrode the paralysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He dropped beneath the creature’s sweeping arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The High-Amorak’s claws tore through the space where his head had been.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 rolled across the ground and came up with his sword drawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth remained on the ground, fighting to regain control of her limbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Move when you can,” K-10 said. “It’s coming again.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I’m aware.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The High-Amorak charged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 met it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He moved beneath its first swing and slashed across the creature’s torso.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The blade struck the hide with enough force to jar his arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The creature barely reacted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 changed his angle and attacked the throat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The High-Amorak twisted away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He immediately understood the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The creature’s hide wasn’t simply thick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was extraordinarily hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The High-Amorak swung again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 slipped past the blow and drove his sword toward the ribs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The creature caught his wrist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 pulled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The grip tightened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He struck the creature’s forearm with his free hand, attempting to break its hold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nothing happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The High-Amorak threw him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 struck the ground hard enough to drive the air from his lungs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He rolled before the creature’s foot came down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The impact shattered the soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 rose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The creature charged again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This time he met it head-on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He drove his sword into its torso with everything he had.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The blade failed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Metal fractured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sword shattered in his hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The broken weapon fell to the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 looked at it for less than a second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The High-Amorak seized him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One massive hand closed around his torso.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then the creature squeezed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pain exploded through K-10’s chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His ribs fractured beneath the pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then several more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The creature lifted him from the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His feet kicked uselessly above the soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 seized the creature’s wrist and tried to pull himself free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pressure increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His lungs could no longer expand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He attempted to draw breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nothing entered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pain flooded his nervous system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His vision narrowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The forest began to disappear around him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He could hear something roaring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He could hear Seralyth shouting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both sounds seemed distant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His training surfaced automatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stay awake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His fingers weakened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stay awake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The darkness moved inward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stay awake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 forced his eyes open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He didn’t know what his body was capable of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He didn’t know why it continued functioning when the damage should have incapacitated him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He knew only one thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He could not afford to lose consciousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He tightened his grip around the creature’s wrist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He pulled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He pulled again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The High-Amorak squeezed harder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another wave of pain tore through his chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His vision nearly disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then something changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His fingers tightened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The creature’s wrist moved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 stared at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He pulled again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The wrist shifted farther.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pressure against his chest weakened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 pushed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The High-Amorak’s arm moved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not because the creature released him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because K-10 forced it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The creature staggered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Its grip loosened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 dropped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He struck the ground on one knee and rolled away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For several seconds he could do nothing but breathe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The High-Amorak stared at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 stared back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He looked down at his own hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He had moved the creature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He had felt its strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And somehow, his own had exceeded it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was no time to analyze the discovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The High-Amorak roared and charged again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 stood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth had recovered enough control to rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She saw him facing the creature again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Kaiten, get away from it!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He ignored her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The High-Amorak swung.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 ducked beneath the blow and stepped inside its reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His fist struck beneath the creature’s jaw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The impact snapped the High-Amorak’s head backward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The creature staggered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 looked at his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The twelve-foot creature had moved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He had done that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The High-Amorak recovered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Its chest began expanding again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 immediately recognized the sequence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It is preparing to howl.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“How do you know?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Watch its chest. It inhales before the attack.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The High-Amorak drew in a massive breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 pointed toward it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“When it inhales, use the roots.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth didn’t argue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She understood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her palm struck the earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Roots erupted beneath the creature’s feet and wrapped around its legs just as it began releasing the howl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The beast stumbled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sound became distorted as its balance broke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additional roots surged from the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They wrapped around its arms and torso.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth drew her bow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She released.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The arrow struck deep into the creature’s throat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The High-Amorak convulsed and tore against the restraints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 moved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He ran directly toward it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Kaiten!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The High-Amorak broke one arm partially free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The limb swung toward him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 slipped beneath it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His remaining blade drove upward beneath the creature’s rib cage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The weapon penetrated deep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The High-Amorak convulsed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 twisted the blade and pulled it free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The creature collapsed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silence returned to the forest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 stood over the corpse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His breathing was heavy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His clothing had been torn open across his torso.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He remembered exactly what had happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The broken ribs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inability to breathe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 placed a hand against his side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pain was already fading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He pressed his fingers against the damaged area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His ribs were intact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He moved his arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No restriction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He rotated his torso.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 looked down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The swelling was gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bruising was already fading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He remained motionless for several seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth approached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her eyes moved across his torso.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then to his face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“You should be dead.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 looked at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I’ve heard that before.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She ignored the response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Your ribs were broken. I heard them.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“They seem fine now.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“That isn’t possible.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 examined his hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I don’t know why it happened.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth studied him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She had seen Orcs survive injuries that would cripple humans. Their bodies possessed an unusual resilience, allowing them to recover from broken bones and severe wounds far faster than most races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kaiten’s recovery resembled that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But only superficially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The speed was wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Far too fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her suspicion hardened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Are you part Orc?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“No.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“You’re certain?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Yes.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Your recovery resembles Orc physiology.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 looked down at his ribs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I wouldn’t know.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth gave him a cold look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Of course you wouldn’t.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her irritation returned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Do you know anything about yourself?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 considered the question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Some things.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“And the rest?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I’m still figuring it out.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth disliked the answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She disliked the uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She disliked the secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most of all, she disliked that the man standing in front of her was a human male who clearly possessed capabilities he refused to explain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She had learned long ago that human men often hid their intentions behind confidence, charm, or carefully chosen words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kaiten used none of those things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He simply withheld information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That made him more difficult to judge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And, in some ways, more difficult to distrust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She looked again at the place where his ribs had been crushed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She had watched them break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She knew what she had seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet there was no injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perhaps Orc blood explained it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perhaps not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Either way, the explanation was incomplete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“You were crushed.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I noticed.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“You should not be standing.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 looked toward the dead High-Amorak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Neither should it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth stared at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For once, she couldn’t decide whether she was irritated by his answer or impressed by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Do you ever answer a question normally?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Sometimes.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“When?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“When the answer is useful.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She shook her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“You are an extraordinarily irritating human.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 looked at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“That is a known assessment.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth turned away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She had spent much of her life surrounded by people who expected her to admire them, obey them, or eventually marry them. Human men had been particularly skilled at assuming that her title, beauty, and position entitled them to their attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kaiten seemed to have no interest in any of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That should have made him easier to tolerate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It didn’t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She retrieved her bow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After several steps, she stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“You helped me.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 said nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The admission clearly cost her something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She looked at him without the usual hostility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I don’t particularly enjoy owing anyone anything. Especially a human male.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her expression hardened again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“But you saved my life.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She paused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“So… thank you.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 gave a single nod.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We should return to Linden.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth stared at him for a moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No acceptance of the gratitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No attempt to make the moment sentimental.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just the next objective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She turned and began walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Agreed.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 followed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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