“Don’t you agree, Kam?” he asks, and when she doesn’t answer him immediately, “Kamala! Don’t you agree Te-Gen Lexi’s retainer has provided us with a very informative experience?”

“They move well for a Gen fighter” is all Kamala will concede, and that through clenched teeth.

Taru nods stoically. “And you move every bit as I expect Aegins to.”

Kamala takes a step forward at that, but Daian is ready for her reaction.

“Class, on your feet!” he instructs the group, who leap to attention in one mechanical wave.

Kamala suddenly seems aware of all their eyes on her.

That first step toward Taru is the only one she ends up taking.

“Take over for me,” Daian says to Grath. “While I attend to Te-Gen and our new guest instructor.”

Grath bows. “Of course.”

Daian waits while Taru exits the mat, returning to him and Lexi. Taru flips the training dagger, catching it by the blade and offering its grip to Daian.

“Thank you for the loan.”

Daian accepts the practice weapon and holds it up in salute.

“You made good use of it. Now might we adjourn somewhere more private so that I might assist you two however I can?”

“Thank you, Aegin Daian,” Lexi says pleasantly.

The trio exits the Dojo through the Kodo entrance, Lexi and Taru following closely behind their guide. They wait while Daian changes back into his uniform, and then he escorts them out of the Kodo and back onto the street.

“I apologize if our presence caused friction between you and your fellow Aegins,” Lexi begins.

“What, Grath and Kamala?” Daian asks, sounding almost offended. “I can’t stand either of them.” He spits upon the sidewalk. “Excuse my vulgar gesture, Te-Gen.”

Lexi shakes her head. “I’ve heard it’s good for the constitution.”

Daian smiles. “Yeah. Well, the only reason I teach alongside those two is that they’re among our best with the dagger.”

Taru cuts in. “Says who?”

Daian grins up at them. “Present company excluded, of course. Now, how can I help the two of you?”

“We’ve sought you out today because I believe you’re a person who can be trusted.”

Daian doesn’t seem to know what to say to that, so he settles on: “Thank you.”

“I say person, not Aegin, because I cannot trust Aegins as an institution right now. I can’t afford to. But I have to believe the man beneath tops the uniform, if he’s a good man.”

“I believe in what I do, Lexi. But I’ve also seen enough to know not to let it be all that I am.”