“What’s your name?” he asked.“Lysandra, but I go by Lys.”Something felt odd about her, but he couldn’t quite tell what it was. He started to focus on her, watching the gold lettering slowly come together.“You know it’s considered rude to divine someone without their permission.”Michael raised an eyebrow. “Really? That’s the first I’m hearing of it.”She shrugged. “I’m guessing you usually did it to people who were going to try and kill you anyway. Or other soldiers that you basically share underwear with anyway.”“Fair enough. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude.”“It’s fine.” She smiled. “I was divining you the moment you came down the stairs anyway.”That’s what it was. He could feel the touch of the divine on her, though it wasn’t as strong as it was on him."Rude for me, but not for you?""I don't mind being rude, but you seem like a more polite sort." She smiled mischievously. “You have a very impressive list of titles and deeds for someone of your age, even as a taker veteran. What are you twenty? Twenty two?”He scratched his chin. “That’s actually a very good question. I think I’m about two? Maybe a bit younger. Physically I think I’m supposed to be about seventeen or eighteen? Mentally I’m an old man.”She nodded. “What strange existences you takers must lead. Sounds like an ideal build for a soldier. A young body and an old mind. I’m stuck in an aging body with an aging mind.”Michael thought she looked quite good, but held his tongue. His blood was still up a bit from the previous night it seemed. He moved to sit next to her.“Where is Gemini operating? We’re deserters from Stent so we don’t want to operate in Tusinia or Stent if possible.”She nodded. “I figured from the Stent gray trousers you’re wearing. We were involved briefly in the northeastern campaign, but Untan was conquered before we’d even reached the front line. We took our (...)