Anoor was sitting at her desk when Sylah entered. She hadn’t changed into her training gear yet, and her ridiculous outfit of the day rippled around her in bows and pleats. She still looked beautiful despite the ostentatious embellishments. The room was a mess, as if Anoor had been searching for something.
Sylah’s eyebrows tangled together. “Why aren’t you dressed?”
“You’re late.” Anoor didn’t turn around.
“I’m always late.” Sylah went to the pile of clothes that were her only belongings and pulled out her training clothes. She noticed that her spare servant uniform was missing.
“Where have you been?”
Was that anger in Anoor’s tone?
“I had some errands to run in town, and then I went for dinner.”
“What errands? Gorn said she hadn’t sent you for anything today.”
“They’re personal. I had already done my time with Gorn.”
“So what errands?”
“I told you, they were personal.”
Anoor was silent. Sylah ignored her and began to get changed.
“Let’s take a break from meditation and work on your balance today. We’re still waiting to hear on the trial for stealth, but at least we know it’ll be something…stealthy.” Sylah strode into the training room. Sylah was already through her second set of stretches by the time Anoor followed her.
She watched Sylah move through the routine. Each movement was precise and contained, each muscle awakened one by one.
“How are you so good at this?”
“Practice.”
“We’ve been practicing for three mooncycles, and I’ve not once managed to touch you with any weapon.”
“I was trained from a young age.”
“But why? And where?”
“Are you going to join in or are we going to have a tea party and gossip?”
Anoor met Sylah’s eyes. There was something beyond the darkness of her pupils that made Sylah stop.
“You can’t ignore me every time I ask a question about you.”
“I can and I will. It’s what we agreed.”
“Where do you go every day?” She was insistent.
“Nowhere.”
“How come you can fight like you do?”
“Because I can.”
“How did your father die?”
“Peace, Anoor. Where has this come from?”
“These are simple questions, Sylah.” Anoor’s head cocked to the left.