|
Kella parried a quick response.
"Of course you have your moments, Ginger. Don't be humble." A quick grin split her phrases, "But I know few can attain the level of my relentless charm."
It was a mildly self-deprecating observation, as was usual of Kella. If she was not proclaiming herself the gods' gift to Telath, she was taking deft swings at herself for a bit of a laugh.
When Eyvind moved, Kella quickly followed as he turned them to the view of the river. It was a soothing picture if one didn't think of the purpose it was to serve. Her gaze started at the nebulous source of the river and followed its current to where it was tucked away beneath the skirts of the mountains.
As Eyvind spoke of the path they would take, Kella's mind drew colored lines across the scene as she absorbed what unseen roads they were to travel. Her attention pricked up for a moment at one word.
"Covert?" she repeated.
"I like covert. Things quietly done are oft more influential than the thunder of battle."
When Eyvind said that if things went sour she was to be shuffled off, she turned to face him with a touch of petulance. Like a little sister told she could not follow her older brother on some outing.
"That's a mite unfair. I'll go only if everyone else is forced to leave."
Her arms folded loosely as she spoke. "I'm rusty, Ginger, not woefully far gone. I've been running glorified errands for a while is all."
Kella knew she was out of sync with her training, but was hopeful she could press her way through.
"My handstands are still lovely, but I haven't sparred for some time."
With a swift appraisal of Eyvind and a momentary pause, Kella began again.
"Here's a notion. Give me a tiny refresher course, Ginger." She continued to persuade him at a rapid pace, leaving little room for refusal.
"I know there's much more of a gap with us now after all your Officer training and my boot shining. Just play moderately nice." Her eyes sparkled impishly, "Like I do when we have a battle of wits."
|