Page 91

Ela was careful to keep any inflection from her voice but Vahn’s eyes narrowed.

“Are you suggesting the pole may have been tampered with?”

“Of course not, your Majesty. I’m just stating facts.”

“Let us not get sidetracked by hypotheticals,” Baelon said testily. “The fact remains that the human has made a mockery of the challenge. I vote to eliminate her.”

“I don’t think the wider public would agree with you,” Rhyn said cheerfully. “If anything, that little stunt won her more kudos than if she’d climbed the damn pole and come first.”

“Is that true?” Vahn demanded of Ela. She nodded.

“There seems to be a certain amount of support for her unorthodox approach.”

“Then it is decided. Kara stays.”

“You’re making a mistake,” said Baelon. “And by doing so you are exposing your bias, my Zhaal.”

“Iambiased, Baelon. Towards innovative thinkers. And Kara is certainly that. She goes through to the third round and that is an end to it.” Vahn turned to Rhyn. “Is all in place for the Terran President’s visit?”

“Yes. She arrives in four days and Ela has worked out a superb security protocol. She will be entirely safe and, hopefully, reassured enough to commence treaty negotiations.”

“Kara will have a large part to play in her reassurance,” said Vahn. “And in reassuring our people also. If it is true she’s finally winning them over, then maybe peace will be easier to achieve than we thought.”

“You’re putting far too much trust in a lower species,” said Baelon nastily. Vahn’s hands curled into fists. He forced himself to breathe deeply.

“Peace begins with trust, Lord Vantrax. Remember that.”

Forty One

Kara didn’t mind admitting she was just a teeny bit drunk. She dropped her glass and goggled down at it. Okay, a lot drunk.

Only to be expected, she thought fuzzily. The Potentials had been celebrating since they’d got back to the palace.

They were now down to the last six. Hespia, Lyrith, Layahn and Risane had been the first four to ring the bell. Thankfully Vysh had been fifth.

“I waited until the last minute,” she explained. “I wanted to make sure you’d got through too.”

“And what if they’d disqualified me?” Kara asked.

“I’d have dropped out in protest, obviously.”

“You’re an idiot. But I love you.”

The conversation with Layahn had been less pleasant.

“So did your uncle spike my pole on his own or did you help?” she’d demanded the moment they left the arena.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, human,” Layahn replied acidly. “But I can assure you my uncle will be seeking your disqualification after that pathetic exhibition.”

“It wasn’t pathetic,” said Vysh hotly. “It was brilliant.”

“It was against the rules.”

“What rules?” asked Hespia. “All I heard was that we had to ring the bell. To be honest, Kara’s way was much easier.”

“She used the general’s blaster. The rules stated we were to receive no assistance.”

“She didn’t receive assistance, she took it,” Risane pointed out. “I don’t think she broke any rules either.”