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“Sore heads?” Vysh was puzzled.

“From drinking too much alcohol. You know, a hangover.”

“Is that a human thing? That’s sad.”

“Remind me never to challenge you to a drinking competition.”

Kara unwound the towel from her hair and let it spill out in a damp cloud. She tugged a comb through it and waited for Vysh to explain why she was there.

“Anyway, sorry to disturb your rest, Kara, but I had sort of an idea. About the contest.” The Vraxian suddenly looked a little embarrassed. “I mean, only if you want to. It’s probably really stupid but…”

“Vysh, spit it out. What’s the idea?”

“Um, well, as you know I was intending to drop out at the combat round because I didn’t want to be a finalist and risk being chosen as the Zhaalini. But now that I know the Zhaal will chooseyouregardless, I thought… um…”

“You thought it would be safe for you to get all the way to the final three and cultivate even more kudos with your dad. Is that it?”

“Does that sound awful?” Vysh looked dismayed. “I don’t want to sound like a mercenary but if I made it to the last three, it would be a massive boost for my family. We’d be financially secure and my father would be a lot nicer to mykalehshun.But I wouldn’t do it unless you’re okay with it.”

“Of course I’m okay with it. Why the hell wouldn’t I be?”

“Because, um, I had another idea about getting to the final which might be, sort of, a tiny bit, well, cheating.”

Vysh trailed off and Kara looked at her curiously.

“What do you mean, cheating?”

The Vraxian’s scales shaded to light green and Kara realized she was embarrassed.

“First, can I ask, um, are you absolutely one hundred per cent certain that the Zhaal will pick you from the finalists?”

Kara hesitated. Then she pulled back the sleeve of her dressing gown and held out her wrist.

“That’s a braid of his hair. To stopteshekalehsh.He wears one from me.”

Vysh’s eyes widened.

“Drek!You mean I didn’t have to pull a scale off my leg?”

“Apparently not. But I think your way is more romantic. A bit like having a tattoo of your lover’s name.”

“Hmph. Hair would have been less painful. At any rate it proves you and the Zhaal have bonded.” She hesitated. “So look, do you think… um… I mean, it’s against the rules but… er, could you ask if…”

“Vysh, for goodness sake just tell me!”

“Could you ask the Zhaal to make sure we aren’t pitted against each other in the combat round?” she blurted.

“Oh.” Kara was taken aback. “I guess so. But isn’t it General Solarun who decides who fights who?”

“Yes, but she answers to the Zhaal. Don’t you see? If we get picked to fight each other, I’ll have to throw the competition there and then because I don’t want to stand in the way of your happiness.”

“Vysh, that’s so sweet.”

“But if I’m facing one of the other Potentials, I can let rip. Especially if it’s Layahn.” Her face broke into a wicked grin. “Vannla’s Sword, Ireallyhope it’s Layahn.”

“Get in line. I want a crack at her too.”

“At any rate, I don’t want you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. If you don’t want to ask the Zhaal, I understand.”