We stepped out of the hall after nearly an hour of talk. The morning air felt thin against my face. I walked between Arkas and Steve, boots steady on the broken ground.
"Where's North?" I asked.
"Still sleeping," Arkas said, then gave me a sideways look. "What are you planning, kid?" he asked, half-smile, half-warning.
"What do you mean?" I kept my voice calm.
"Don't play dumb," he scoffed.
"I'm not playing," I said. "Why would I play? Who am I playing for?" I let the question hang and changed course. The mood didn't need more poking.
Steve laughed low beside me. "So how does it feel having your student outrank you?" I teased.
He pushed a small laugh back. "Happy and a little annoyed. He needs manners." Arkas ruffled his bald head like it needed fixing. I wanted to tap it hard but North was involved, so I held back. One day, I thought. One day I'd get that tap in.
