“I don’t know yet. It all makes me feel a little mad, to be honest.” He stood and pulled off his tunic. He’d confided in Liaro about the invaders and made him swear not to tell anyone else, including Caisa. He wasn’t sure how the country would take it. “There’s something you should know, though.”

“It gets better, does it? Have our mothers escaped Sina’s grasp and come spiraling back to life?”

“I’ve agreed to get married.”

“What?”

The look on Liaro’s face gave him pause. “Are you all right?”

“I… I thought Meyna was exiled.”

“She is. I’m marrying Clan Leader Hona’s daughter, of Sorai. Probably by the end of the week.”

“You say that so casually.”

“Is that a problem?”

“Did Ora Nasaka put you up to this?”

“I have to make hard decisions, Liaro. What did you expect? We’ll need the harbor.”

Liaro sat on the bed. “So we’re not getting married, then?” His tone was light, but Ahkio knew better.

“You know I’d like nothing better. You also know that’s not likely with a male Kai. A woman Kai like Kirana… she could have as many husbands as she wanted. It’s harder to determine parentage, with a man.”

Liaro guffawed. “You expect a Sorai to keep to one man?”

“She can take female lovers. It’s not unheard of.”

“You make like you’ve thought this through, but you haven’t.”

“Liaro, I’m tired. I don’t want to fight.”

“She was Ora Nasaka’s choice, right? Ahkio, Ora Nasaka doesn’t at all mean for you to carry on the blood of the Kai. She’s setting up Clan Leader Hona’s family to take the seat. Who knows whose baby it will be?”

“I wouldn’t care, Liaro. I’d be distantly related to just about any child, from any combination of parents.”

“You gave up so easily.”

“If you knew what I did, you’d understand why I gave up on this point.”

“Just like you give in to everything.”

“That was mean.”

“It’s the truth.”

“Get some sleep, Liaro. I’m not going to fight with you.” He grabbed a clean tunic and went downstairs to the bathing room.

After that were breakfast and more polite talk with the clan leaders. He didn’t get a break until midafternoon, and by then, his mood had soured completely. He called for a halt to the meetings for the rest of the day and went out to the clan square for a fresh breeze.

He found Caisa there, sweating through defense forms, and asked if she wanted to spar. An hour later, she had thrown him to the stones eight times, and he was exhausted and soaked in sweat. He peeled off his tunic and tossed it aside. Asked her to go again.