The Lotus walls closed behind them like a flower deciding it had done enough for the day.
Two cars, no fanfare. The lead was a low, armored wedge with Wardens inside and patience in its engine. The second was taller, sealed and quiet, carrying eight students who had been told not to look like students, and a boy who had learned to be a Ruler before his shadow had a chance to lengthen.
"Storm front's ahead," the Warden driver said over the intercom. "Not polite."
"Nothing's polite this far from the wall," Keahi muttered, watching water stitch fast seams on the window.
Arashi asked if the not-so-young Ruler ever got bored. Solomon let one corner of his mouth learn about being a smile and said "When the Council handles work and I don't have anything to do, I might or might not sneak into the Glowline from time to time..."
