Kael
Elara had turned the commendation over.
The back was covered in small drawings of the upper support she had removed during her field entry.
I found her on a bench beyond the main garden path, where a low wall kept the tournament boards out of sight. Kira slept beneath the seat with one paw on Elara's bag.
There was room beside her.
I asked anyway.
"Is this taken?"
She looked at the empty half of the bench.
"Not yet."
I sat, keeping the old side clear of the backrest.
The paper lifted in a small gust. I caught the corner before it folded across her drawing.
Elara put a smooth stone on it.
"You don't have to hold it for the whole conversation."
"I was hoping the role came with a break."
"It comes with a stone."
She returned to the drawing.
For a few moments, I watched without trying to decide whether I needed to be useful.
The bench had one uneven leg. I found it when I shifted my weight, and Elara steadied her pencil until the movement stopped.
