#slethkk

It wasn’t long before they were seated. Slethkk had hoped to be next to Jane, but they were unfortunately placed across the table from each other, her between Verity and Olga, and him between Gaador and Aurora. Again, he tried to catch her eye, but she was mostly paying attention to Patty, who stood off to one side trying to translate the fairly dull conversation. It took him a whole course to meet her gaze.

Hi, he signed.

Her smile was bigger this time, big enough to give his anxious heart a little relief. She threw a glance at Kirsi and then signed back, very small, How are you?

Bored, Slethkk said. And I’ve missed you so much. How are you? How are your studies?

Could you do me a favor? she asked.

Slethkk frowned a little. Anything.

She gave him an overbright smile. Can you shoot an arrow clean through my skull?

He suppressed a snort. That bad?

Jane’s smile collapsed into a grimace. Kirsi is trying to kill me.

I wish we could trade, Slethkk said. I’d rather study than be taught swordplay and guile any day.

Swordplay sounds fun, at least, she said, sighing.