"Yeah," Kira replied in a noncommittal voice. She watched him shamble away, shoulders hunched, head down. It made her want to call a better goodbye, but she decided not to. Jason's problems weren't any of her business.

She looked around, seeing that Talese Groveen, from her expression and body language, was apparently saying something harsh to a group of her "people." Where were Mari and Alain? She finally spotted her mother talking to the Imperials again. Why did it have to be the Imperials? Gritting her teeth, Kira walked to them, trying not to look like she was in any hurry.

"Kira?" her mother said, not completely hiding her surprise that she had joined the group. From the looks of everyone, the conversation they had been having was not a happy one.

Kira feigned embarrassment. "There was something I needed to, uh…" She leaned close to her mother's ear, cupping her hands around her mouth as she quickly summarized what Jason had told her, including the warning about the ship being able to read lips. She saw Mari's eyes widen when she got to the part about thousands of copies of her, but otherwise her mother didn't reveal that anything unusual was being said.

Her mother nodded at Kira when she was done. "I'm sorry you don't feel well, dearest. Maybe if you sit in the coach for a little while you'll feel better. I'll send some people over there to keep you company. Your father is over that way speaking with other Mages. Tell him…I need him back over here."

One of the Imperials appeared ready to speak to Kira, but Camber stopped him, eyeing Mari and her with an appraising gaze. "I hope it is nothing serious," he said, adding extra meaning and a veiled extra question to his words.

"Hopefully nothing we can't handle," Mari said. "I'll let you know confidentially, for her privacy."

Kira walked toward the coach, now trying to look like someone who didn't feel well. She glanced back, seeing her mother in a huddle with Camber to pass on the warning as the other Imperials formed a protective wall around them.

Kira found her father and gave him the same message, earning herself a measured look and a nod of approval. She reached the coach and paused before getting inside, looking back. The Talese woman was in the act of brusquely waving Jason into the ship.

"Are you all right, Lieutenant?" a cavalry trooper asked, riding up.

Kira smiled at her. "Yes. Thank you, Sergeant Bete. You can let the others know I'm fine. Just, um, a little lightheaded."

"Next time, wear your helm when the sun's out," Bete advised with a grin, turning her mount to ride back to the rest of the lancers.