A/N: For those who are wondering what is happening with Myn'dill – it is contained within the pages of the story Forbidden Fruit, as is the story of how Signý gains her mate.

Chapter Nine: Round and Round We Go

I chose and my world was shaken. So what? The choice may have been mistaken; the choosing was not. -Stephen Sondheim

Sally bustled around the galley, stacking delicacies on a serving tray. Her servants kept presenting her with foodstuffs from which she selected those she thought would appeal to her recovering daughter. They chattered lightly when it appeared that she would deliver the tray herself but wise to her alien ways, they stood aside and let her act as servant to her Bloodline female. The tray was heavy with food and the elderly Matriarch fought to not appear overburdened as she carefully walked from the galley to the guest room. A wise and bolder Aseigan hurried to aid her and hoisted the tray from her grasp without saying a word. She stopped and looked him in the eye before giving a nod of permission. He followed her to the room's door where she stopped and held out her hands. Gently he delivered the load back to her and stood alert for any assistance she might need until the door closed behind her. Then he went back to work with his fellows.

"Our Mistress grows old, I fear," said one of the newer servants. He was chuffed at by the Aseigan who had helped Sally with the tray, "Our Matriarch rules with wisdom that grows each cycle and with the strength of her Honor." He glared at the newcomer who suddenly found that polishing the stone table was of utmost importance.

Ulfrde pulled herself up in the bed, resting her back against the stone wall. The injured shoulder complained at the movement but the wound stayed closed. She watched as her mother carried a heavily loaded tray of food and placed it on a table by the bedside. "Here now, I've brought you some of you favorites. Enjoy!"

The Huntress began inhaling the delicious strips of meat, only stopping to occasionally chug water from a large flask. Sally watched with a mother's satisfaction as her daughter thoroughly enjoyed the meal. It was amazing how much an adult Yautja female could put away! When Ulfrde had finished there was not a trace of anything left on the tray. She made a sound of contentment and let herself slouch down the wall into the furs. "That was superb, Mom! Thanks. Now, tell me what you've been doing and I'll tell you about my hunt."

"Let's see," Sally began, "Lots of boring official stuff with the High Council, walking in the garden, inspecting the new pups…you know, the usual. Nothing as exciting as your Chiva! Now tell me every detail!"

Ulfrde chortled at her mother's description of her life but was thrilled to be able to begin the tale of her Hunt. In great detail she explained to her enthralled Bearer the entire experience. Sally listened intently, going on Chiva herself vicariously through her daughter's recounting. The Matriarch nearly jumped when Ulfrde dramatically told her of being pinned through the shoulder by the Hard Meat tail.

When the telling was finished Sally sat there, wordlessly staring at her daughter as though just seeing her for the first time. The expression on her face made Ulfrde nervous. "Mom? What is wrong?"

"Nothing. And everything," she smiled. "I was just remembering how I sat you on my lap and sang to you about how little you were when you were a newborn pup. It is just amazing comparing that picture of you in my mind with the fully grown you sitting here right now." A wistful look came over the woman's face.

"In private I'll always be your pup, Mom," the Huntress softly rolled the words back to her mother.

How sweet of her, Sally thought. "Yes you will - always." She went over to her sitting daughter and placed her arms around the female's robust shoulders. She whispered to the female, "Somewhere inside this incredibly strong and amazing Huntress is my wee pup. I just miss you being a baby sometimes. But I'd never trade the wonderful adult that you have become for the youngling you once were."

Ulfrde felt conflicted at this moment. On one claw, she warmed to her Bearer's adoration but on another claw, it was uncomfortable to go from newly Blooded to wee pup in a single sentence. She thanked her mother for the strange complement and then turned the subject to other things. "Mom, do you know who I'm to be matched with for the breeding season?"

Her mother looked taken aback by the question. "I do." It was difficult to reconcile the picture of the small pup in her mind with the current adult in front of her who was ready to rut.

It became apparent to the Huntress that was all her Bearer was going to say about it, so she pressed further, "Mom, who is it?"

"An Elder of the High Council."

"MOM! Who is it?" The impatient growl died between her tusks as she saw her mother's jaw tremble slightly. Ulfrde bowed her head in submission. "I'm sorry, Mom. What I should have said is that I would appreciate it if you would tell me who it is."

"It's okay. That's…that's just the first time you've ever yelled in anger at me."

Ulfrde's face burned with humiliation and she kept looking down at her lap. Her mother reached and tried to tip the downward chin up – it wouldn't budge. "Please look at me, Ulfrde," came the gentle order. The Huntress lifted the reluctant chin and looked at Sally, her sadness reflected out from the brown expressive eyes to her mother.

"Each Elder has asked that he be allowed to reveal himself when the time comes. So, you see, I'm not at liberty to tell you who it is, and you've already told me that you don't want him. So what does it matter?"

"It doesn't. I'm just curious."

"You told me that you wanted to make the choice yourself. Have you chosen someone?"

"I have, Mom. I've even told him."

"What did he say?" Sally sat down again, waiting for her daughter to answer.

"He rejected me!"

"What? How could he?" Sally's voice rose in biased protest that anyone would be capable of turning down her daughter.

"Reject isn't really the right word. He knows that I am promised to a High Elder. He said that if I will make my choice of him in public, per our tradition, that he will fight the High Elder properly for me."

"OH MY!"

"So I guess he's interested," Ulfrde's tusks drooped in a pout.

"I wouldn't say that, Ulfrde."

Her daughter's tusks lifted and she sat bolt upright. "What do you mean?"

"I would say that he wants you quite badly to be willing to fight a High Elder for you. That fight might not go well for him at all. You've seen how large and skillful the High Elders are. Do you want the Hunter you desire to be crushed by one of them? He could die, or be maimed for life and you would end up having to go with the Elder anyway!"

"Sei," Ulfrde replied gloomily, "I know what you say is true, Mom – but he is strong and skillful in his own right. He would stand a chance."

"Have you thought of this? If he wins, he'll probably have to kill the High Elder. That will mean he gains his place on the Council. Does he have the talent, the skills to assume that position? Would he even WANT to sit on the Council?"

"I do not know, Mom. There was not time to talk with him about these things. I only let him know that he was the one I would choose. What should I do?" The large liquid eyes begged for an answer.

Sally thought for a few moments. Would it be wrong for her to use her position to request an audience with this Hunter and have Ulfrde present? Who was he that she might request to see him?

"What is his name? Do I know him?"

"It's Yrándr, Mom. You know. Your guard, Yang."

Sally's eyebrows went straight up. "Yang? My house guard, Yang? The Yang who helped train you?"

"That is the one, Mom!" Ulfrde shrugged her shoulders, indicating her helplessness to fight her attraction.

"Well, I'll be." An old earth adage about love being blind suddenly popped into her mind. "I am surprised. Yang is a very Honorable Hunter, of that there is no doubt. But I had never thought of you…pairing with him." The visage of her guard, huge and powerful but with a strong streak of plainness, appeared in her thoughts.

"He is very large, isn't he?"

"Yes, and quite skilled. But could he take on the Honorable High Elder of the Hal'tam-ti Clan?" Crap! I just revealed who he is!

"Ah! Him? He's the one I'm to be paired with?"

"Yes. What do you think of him, honey?" Sally called her a sweet Blue Planet term she had not used in scores of cycles.

"He…he…is serious. Serious and old."

Sally laughed, "That he is. But he's still in his prime and not yet an Ancient. Don't you think he would Sire a good pup?"

"He probably would. But, it is just that…I do not want him! When has he spoken with me? Or cared for my safety? I do not even know him! He was not among our Trainers. I want Yrándr!"

"I understand, Ulfrde. Really I DO! But in purity, what you are experiencing seems very human to me. Back on Earth, humans seek out desirable mates through relationships, not just breeding potential. It sounds to me like your human side is coming through, dear."

Ulfrde sat up in shock. Almost sputtering, she spoke, "But I AM half human! I will not lie about what I think or what I feel! And according to what you have told me – that is the Yautja part of me!"

"I'm not asking you to lie," Sally stated calmly, ignoring the insult. "I'm just trying to explain to you what I think is happening. I think it is important for you to try and understand it."

"Well, I looked at all the records and I saw that the Council Elders are all capable of siring healthy, strong pups. If I only go by that, well any of them would do. But that is not what I want. I have…feelings for Yrándr. I even dream about him, Mom!"

"Yes, this is very human indeed. And it is not wrong, Ulfrde, just human. But I do not know how the High Council will see it. I think we need some impartial advice here. I am your Bearer and my sight is slanted towards you. I believe we need to hear the words of someone who is wise."

"Your Consort? I mean, my ForeSire?"

"He is wise, but his opinion of you is as slanted as my own!" Sally chuckled. "I think we could safely confide in Healer Myn'dill and seek his opinion. Let me contact him." She punched a few commands into her wrist com and waited. No answer came, only the Healer's automated message system. She left instructions for him to call her as soon as possible.

"So, now we wait! We have several cycles, I think, for your wound to heal. Let us put this time to good use."

They waited all that cycle for Myn'dill to call. When it became late, Sally began to worry. Is something wrong? My Healer has never failed to respond to my call before. I'll call Sig-dan. He may know something. Again she punched at the com and in a few moments the well-known voice answered, "Yes, Sal'lee."

"Sig-dan! I cannot reach Myn-dill! Is something wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong. Do you have need of a Healer?" Concerned filled his voice.

"No. I just needed his advice on something."

"May I help you? He is…busy right now."

"He is? I always thought he turned in rather early. Is he conducting a new experiment?" Her curiosity arose as her beloved stifled a chortle on his end of the com.

"One might call it that. He is…not at home."

"Well where is he? I have a right to know! I mean, what if Ulfrde requires him?"

"I am capable of taking care of any healing your daughter needs until Myn'dill returns."

"You aren't going to tell me are you?" Sally was beginning to feel put off by Sig'dan's run around.

"It might cause problems if you knew."

"Oh God, is he doing something dishonorable?"

"Uh, no. Just risky and perhaps ill-advised. But I really can not blame him. The offer was there. There was no one to challenge him."

"Oh My God! He's mating! Who with?"

"Signý."

"This entire thing is going to Hel," muttered the Matriarch. "Never mind, Sig-dan. I will, ah, talk with him another time." She cut the com and addressed her daughter, "I think we're on our own on this one. I am going to go with my gut here."

"What?" asked confused Ulfrde who had never heard her mother talk about doing anything with her innards before.

Sally punched her com again and a deep rolling rumble came from her wrist, "Sei, Honorable Matree-ark."

"Come to the guest room. I must speak with you."

Nothing but silence answered her. "Understand?" Sally asked.

"Sei," replied the rumble.

The floor vibrated as the large footfalls of the Elite Guard crossed the Matriarch's hallway and stood in front of the doorway to the guest quarters. Yrándr knew who was ensconced within. Reluctantly he signaled his presence. "Enter," came the voice of the Matriarch and he went in. There on the bed furs reclined Ulfrde, her pleasingly curved and sexily strong legs bare. The furs had been carefully arranged to cover her most private areas, but the revealed parts were enough to judge her gorgeous strength by.

He dropped his eyes to the Matriarch in submission and waited for her command. "My daughter will interpret for me," she said, and Ulfrde did so. Still he waited with eyes to the floor for her to continue.

"My daughter has informed me of her offer to you, and your answer to her."

The Matriarch knows! He tensed at the idea. Is she angry?

"I have questions for you. First, do you realize that you may have to kill a High Council Elder for the right to my daughter?"

"I do," was his quiet answer.

"Then you are prepared to take his place on the High Council?"

The guard's craggy brow wrinkled and two telltale tusks scraped together. "I…I know this is true, Honorable Matriarch, but I had not thought that far."

"I see. Do you believe yourself to possess the skills to serve on the Council?"

"In purity, I do not know." His head bowed lower.

"I require the wisdom and advice of the High Council to assist my decisions. It is important to us all that only the best serve there."

"I would do nothing that would not serve Yaut," he answered in simple honesty.

"You are an Honorable Hunter and an excellent Guard. You have served me and my house for many, many cycles. Your service has been excellent and is most valuable to me. Tell me, do you desire to mate Ulfrde?"

"Of course," was his immediate reply.

"Why?"

"She offered herself to me."

"And if she had not?"

"She is a most beautiful and desirable mate."

"Do you know why she chose you?"

The Hunter looked puzzled as though he had not asked himself such a question before. "No, I do not."

"She has given me permission to speak on her behalf. She has emotions regarding you. She knows you and has spent time with you. She has studied your records, as well as the records of those on the High Council. She chose you because she knows you."

Yrándr looked up at Ulfrde. "May I speak?" Sally nodded. He began to address Ulfrde, "You did not choose me because you regarded my record more highly then the Council Elders?"

"Why no! Few Hunters are as aged as they. They have so many cycles behind them that their deeds are considerable."

"Are they not the best then?" The Hunter looked truly confused.

"NO!" the Huntress growled. "If you and they were all of the same age, I am certain that your records would be equal. How does the fact they are all old and have done great deeds make their genetic material any better than yours? You have done great things, just not as many!"

Yrándr considered her words before he spoke. They did make a certain sense. She is missing something. His brow knitted even tighter as he concentrated. The Matriarch interrupted his focus, "May I speak, now?"

He nodded; surprised that she had asked permission.

"I see your point, Ulfrde – HOWEVER, the fact that the High Elders have lived so long is also a testament to their greatness. They have overcome all challengers to this point. This Hunter, as great as he is, has not met all the challenges that are to come his way. He may overcome them, or he may die. He has not yet proved his worth in the same way as the High Elders have."

Ulfrde was silent as Yrándr nodded his great head in agreement with the words that she had so reluctantly interpreted for his benefit. She had now heard the words twice. Once, when her mother had said them and then again from her own mouth as she translated them for Yrándr. There was no obvious hole in her mother's logic and yet it did not agree with her heart.

The Matriarch turned to her daughter, "Ulfrde, what do you think of all this?"

"I...I see the truth in your words, Honorable Matriarch." Ulfrde slowly turned to Yrándr, "I withdraw my offer, Honorable Hunter. Indeed, know that it is you whom I desire, but I must do what is best for all of us."

"You are most Honorable beautiful Ulfrde. I am most honored to have been under your consideration." He bowed to both of them and then with Sally's permission, left.

Ulfrde could have burst into tears if she had formed any tear ducts. Instead, a kind of wailing sob left her mouth. "Mom! Help me!" Sally closed the gap between them and found a facsimile of her tiny pup within the grown Huntress that was asking for her help. "I am so confused! I understand all that you said, all that he said – and it makes sense. But my feelings make NO sense!"

"Feelings often don't honey." Sally patted the broad back. "I think purebred Yautja have feelings too, but things are different for them. They were…raised differently than you were. I fear that this is my fault. I was…too human around you and your sisters when you were little." Tears formed in the Matriarch's eyes. "I'm so sorry, honey. You love him. Love is a human feeling. Sometimes it just happens – with no logic to it. But you are a Yautja Huntress – a regal and majestic female! Your pup must be a positive addition to the race, so you have to go out and find the very best Sire for it. That is why we picked someone on the High Council for you, honey. They ARE the best."

"So…my real Sire wasn't the best? Could you have had anyone on the High Council? Why did you not pick them?"

"I do have their pups, Ulfrde! All of your other sisters except Arndís and Signý were sired by them. I have you and Arndís at my request, and the Council said that Ulfr was "one of their best in every way". I remember it as clearly as if it happened this cycle."

"So…by logic my sisters must be better than Arndís or me." It was Sally's turn to show surprise. "But they are not, Mom! We are the best in nearly every contest! Our group was the first to complete our Chiva! Arndís and I do not carry the Bloodline of any member of the High Council – yet WE ARE THE BEST!" Her growl reverberated through the room. "How do you explain that?"

Sally was speechless. Ulfrde had turned the very logic that she had learned by heart since she began understanding this culture and turned it on its head. There was no argument – Arndís and Ulfrde were the best. What could she say now?

"I am certain that if your father, Ulfr, had lived, he would have attained the High Council. His life was cut short by that horrible disease. It was not fair."

"Many things are not fair!" rumbled Ulfrde. "How do you know that Yrándr will not eventually reach the High Council?"

"I don't, Ulfrde. But neither do you! I knew your father very well!"

"But you are not an oracle. No one is in this current age. No one can see the future of another."

"Exactly, dear." Her mother looked tired as she spoke. "So the safest practice is to acknowledge that those on the Council HAVE proved themselves. You know the ways of Yaut are ancient, and at times even I have questioned them. But I always find out that things are the way they are for a good reason. I asked the Council to favor me by fertilizing two of my ova with your father's seed. They granted me my wish and you are here because of it. The fact that you are the best is wonderful, but my desire for your father was a human thing – very emotional. I did not think about what the qualities of my offspring would be. By Yautja standards, I was quite careless."

"I see. So I am to go ahead and agree to rut with someone I do not care about – just to make pups that might be the best someday."

"That's the idea."

"It sucks. What am I supposed to do with all my feelings for Yrándr?"

Sucks? Where did she pick up that word? "Well, could you spend time with him? Get to know him better? You know, develop a relationship? Perhaps in the future, you can lobby for your cause – to select your own mate."

Lobby? No, I prefer to fight! A gleam came into Ulfrde's eye as she saw the path she would pursue. "First Mom, I must heal."

The cycles went by quickly for Ulfrde. Myn'dill or Sig'dan came daily to check her progress. The powerful Yautja medications speeded her body's naturally quick healing ability. The large wound scabbed over and eventually the scab left, revealing a triangular whitish scar that would forever advertise where the Hard Meat tail had entered. Along with the plethora of acid marks it was proof to all of the greatness of her deeds. She couldn't imagine how many signatures of the Hunt her body would eventually carry. Although she realized her destiny was to bear pups to continue to replenish the female population, she also hoped that she would still be able to participate in the Hunt on occasion. It would be horrible she realized when Sally gave them their first reproduction lecture, to never hunt again. There were old stories about rare females who enjoyed the Hunt so much that they forsook the rut so as not to become tied to the Homeworld or a Clan ship during pregnancy and pup-rearing. Ulfrde remembered such a female from an ancient tale told after a meal by her uncle, Honorable Sig'dan. That female had ended up forsaken on an alien world and was never able to return to her Clan again. The story had made an impact on young Ulfrde and although she dearly loved to hunt, she knew that new females were needed for the salvation of Yaut and she would sooner die than abandon her duty. However, she also was a strong individualist and proud of her heritage as a female.

Yrándr was left in peace during the cycles of her healing which surprised him. In spite of her words that she had withdrawn her offer of submission to him, he had expected the Huntress, renown for her assertiveness, to continue to try and convince him to breed her. When she completely ignored him, he felt both relief and disappointment. He considered that her Bearer had successfully influenced her to release him.

No one knew the Huntress Ulfrde better than her mother and Sally was wary of what she suspected her daughter might be planning. In spite of the heart to heart talk, it was highly unusual for Ulfrde to give up on something she wanted. And the human woman was well acquainted with the power of sexuality both in people and in Yautja. Yet, she also knew her daughter to be proud of her Honor and devoted to Yautja ideals. That her ForeSire was an Arbitrator who brought the dishonorable to justice had been a powerful influence upon her.

The morning came when Myn'dill examined Ulfrde and pronounced her healed. She was ready to meet her suitor. The Healer informed the High Council Elder that his mate was fully recovered, while Ulfrde packed her bag and made ready to leave the Matriarch's guest quarters and be escorted to her own adult dwelling. She did not know the location or condition of any of her sisters, but knew that the breeding season lasted many cycles until the females were pregnant. Eventually, the lucky Hunters would emerge from their rooms or the rooms of the female or females they had been mating. Although the rut might have begun in public, eventually it would retreat to the dwelling of either the Hunter or the female. With deep exhaustion evident on their faces and bodies, the Hunters would head for the nearest public soak to steep and recover. Then, after a large meal in one of the common eating halls, they would return to their own quarters and sleep for two or even three cycles. Back in their dwellings, the females would also bathe, eat and sleep before heading to the nearest Healer to confirm their health and state. Only rarely was a Hunter called back to complete his 'unfinished work'.

Ulfrde left her escorts and cautiously entered her apartment. She wore a fine set of black leathers, along with her Hunt armor. Telling her Bearer that she wished to appear to her mate as the desirable Huntress that she knew her reputation to be, she had put on her 'awu'asa', instead of appearing without it as was the custom. So she entered her new quarters as fully dressed as if she were going again to her Chiva. Her attire was not lost on the Arbitrators who accompanied her home. They quietly huffed her scent and one even clicked at her. She ignored them, focused only on meeting her first mate.

The entryway lit up when the house sensed her presence. She crouched slightly, huffing for scent and as soon as the door was sealed, put on the mask she carried. Flipping through all the settings, she searched for him as she crept through the house keen on his scent trail.

The odor led to her bedroom. She stood back from the open doorway checking as much of the room as she could view and then set her mask to detect any heat signatures though the substantial walls. Finally, she found what she was looking for. Standing near the head of her bed was an extremely large pillar of warmth. It blazed white near the center and changed to more red and orange tones toward the edges of a body. She could not detect any details that showed weapons, only a basic shape with a few scattered cooler small areas. One she could see was a belt girding the hips, another was his wrist com. Concentrating on the waist she was uncertain if the pillar carried any blades. You search needlessly! There are enough blades on your body to share if honor demands, she thought. Then with her most imposing posture, she entered the room with a deep growl that conveyed an unmistakable challenge.

The High Elder of the Hal'tam-ti Clan had known from the beginning that the female selected for him might be a most worthwhile mate. Her skills were already spoken of by many and her powerful body was enough to make drool run from between any Hunter's fangs. When her name was drawn for his rut partner, he thanked Paya for her blessing. Now, he regarded her carefully. She had chosen to present herself in full 'awu'asa'. Few females would think of such a thing but with Ulfrde's growing reputation – it seemed fitting. She was most appealing with her strong thighs emerging from slits in the metal-banded leather. The bulging musculature led downward to where dark greaves protected her shapely shins. They were laced on with crisscrossing strips of the strongest and finest material known to the Yautja – a substance known as dlex.

When he had finished assessing her legs, his eyes traveled upward. She was carrying blades, he realized, spying several at her waist. The metal encircled her hips, letting her paler, tight belly remain bare. Clothing that spanned the waist was a barrier to the twisting motions required in serious battle or Hunt. Metal strips again clothed the cloth that secured her breasts, the metal rounding her ripeness and enhancing what Paya had given her. Broad, smooth shoulders emerged on each side and sprouted spotted arms of immense strength in spite of their more feminine circumference. Her metal-banded neck held a regally strong face high. Hers was not the finest female face and certainly not the plainest. It conveyed strength. Her mandibles, larger than her sister's, ended in well-shaped small tusks of purest white. Her chin, much more demure than the Hunters had a suggestion of a cleft – bequeathed from her Sire. Her dark locks, already set with many honor rings, framed the swept-back crown edged with mild ridges. She was most beautiful, even when crouched down with side-jaws and mouth open in full blown challenge.

"You wish to fight me? I have not felt the flatness of your palm," he stated with a chortle. If she wanted a little rough foreplay, who was he to deny her? It would be quite stimulating!

"I challenge you!" she roared. "I challenge you for the right to mate me!"

His amused look continued, "Honorable Ulfrde, if I win I will mate with you. This I understand. But if you should win – how will you impregnate yourself?"

She almost sneered in response, "When I win, I will win the right to choose my mate for myself! As did our Matriarchs of recent past. Or have you already forgotten?"

"Your rudeness is spoken of by many," he retorted. "I observe that they spoke generously of you."

"Fight me if you dare!" she growled back. "Or have you grown old and soft sitting in your High Council chair?"

Her comment snapped the last of the Elder's patience with her and he quickly took a combat stance, stretching out his massive arms which ended in open, bare hands. She made to throw him a blade, for to fight the unarmed with weapons was considered a disgrace. He met the flying sharpness with the side of his hand and bounced it to the wall where it clattered on to the floor. Then he chattered and chuffed as one would reprimand a pup. The sounds made her crown rise higher in anger. It was obvious to her that this puffed up oldster considered himself more than her match even bare-handed.

Arching his nimble back and jutting his head forward, he raised his deep rumble to a growling howl of confrontation. Refusing to be taken aback by his display, Ulfrde mimicked his posture and emitted her own deep roar. Then she sprinted up to him, hopped up to gain height and gave a sharp smack to his shoulder. She stalled almost in mid-air for a micro-second. Her hand stung as though she had hit a rock and the Elder had not moved at all! A mist of uncertainty shaded her vision but in the time it took for her to return to the floor – it was gone. Instead, the glare of righteous anger beamed out at the Elder. But he had observed the flash of insecurity that for less than a moment had fogged her view. In earlier years he had schooled many a brash Hunter or Huntress and understood how wisdom came about. If there existed a doubt in this female's mind about what she was doing, it was a doubt he could work with.

After learning she was to be paired with him via drawing lots, the High Elder had studied her. He learned of her accomplishments in training, her ability to concentrate in spite of great pain along with her victories as well as the reports of her short-comings. Her potential was enormous, perhaps as large as her temper. As he circled her, evaluating her slightest movement, her centered mastery of motion confirmed that she was worth taking his time with.