21
RASHA WAITED ALL morning in the training room for Ladi. The girl had the infuriating habit of being early when you needed to sleep late and being late when you needed her to be on time. She practiced alone. She’d dreamed about Jak and Duna again, and it left her rattled. What was taking him so long? He’d sent news of his mother’s death days ago; he should be back by now. She worked through her moves again. She heard someone clear their throat at the door and she stopped.
“Where is she?” Rasha demanded at a guard with a paper quivering in his hands.
“She’s gone.”
“What?” Rasha snatched the note from his hand and he retreated a few steps. He had a scar on his face. He must have been in one of the battles.
“You’re free to go,” she said without looking up.
Xeku came in and the guard a
