Before Kiki and I headed toward the Keep, I thanked my friends.
“For what? We didn’t do anything,” Janco grumbled.
“For caring enough to follow my guards. And the next time, I might need the help.”
“There better not be a next time,” Ari said, giving me a stern look.
“How touching,” Janco said, pretending to wipe his eyes.
“Get going, Yelena. I don’t want you to see me cry.” He faked a sniffle.
“I’m sure your ego can handle it,” I said. “Or will you need to beat up some trainees to feel like a man again?”
“Very funny,” he said.

A little present from my run-in with a sword. Or should I say from when the sword had a run-in with me?” His eyes lit up.
“Want to see the scar? It’s cool.” He started pulling his shirt out of his pants.
“Janco,” Ari warned. “We’re not supposed to be fraternizing with the Sitians.”
“But she’s not Sitian. Right, Yelena? You haven’t gone south on us, have you?” Janco’s voice held mock horror.
“Because if you have I can’t give you your present.”
I took my switchblade out, showing the inscription to Janco. “What about ‘Sieges weathered, fight together, friends forever’? Does that change if I become an official southerner?”
Janco rubbed the hair on his chin, considering.
“No,” Ari said. “You could change into a goat and it would still apply.

I shook my head at Janco. “I’ve got the situation under control. Go back to the Keep, I’ll meet you there.”
Janco stared at me in astonished silence. Ari, though, trusted me. “Come on, she doesn’t need our help.” Ari sheathed his sword. Janco recovered. He flashed me one of his mischievous grins. “I’ll bet you a copper that she’ll be free in five minutes,” he said to Ari.
Ari grunted in amusement. “A silver on ten minutes,” he countered.
“I’ll bet you both a gold coin that she kills him,” Valek said
from behind them. They moved aside and he entered, still dressed in his Adviser Ilom disguise. “The only way to take care of your problem. Right, love?

Reviewing our fight, I asked Janco, “Why do you rhyme when you fight?

I found Esau’s field guide at the bottom of my pack. Taking a candle into the bedroom, I read his book until my eyes grew heavy. From his vast notes, it seemed that almost every plant and tree in the jungle had a reason for existing.
I caught myself wishing there was a page in his guide that had my picture on it with the reason for my existence written underneath in Esau’s neat hand.

Unfortunately, diplomacy was a dance I needed to learn.