"What was that?" Myanh asked Joren.

"It sounded like the lady slut, Alanna." Joren said, sneering.

"She's the one with the temper, right?" Myanh queried. Joren just grunted.

"Okay. She's like, totally uncool."

Grunt.

"You know, grunting just isn't attractive."

Grunt.

"Hey! Myanh! Guess what!" Miliko came running up, Alanna following close behind, breaking the tense silence that had sprung up between Myanh and Joren.

"What?" Myanh asked, ever the one to want to know what had just happened.

"Alanna just beat me with a sword!" Miliko seemed to be jumping up and down with happiness.

"And that's good? I thought you didn't like to be beaten." Myanh said, a frown of puzzlement creasing her brow.

"But I don't mind. Hello, it's Alanna we're talking about. You know, Lady Lioness, only the best swordsperson ever." Miliko said, glowing. "She could kick Shadi's overconfident best-in-the-class butt!"

"Whoa. That is so like, impossible." Myanh said, listening avidly.

"Yeah, and speaking of Shadi, do you know where she is?" Miliko asked, looking around.

"I think she's still with Dom. You know, I think that something's happening between them. This is the longest she's ever stayed with a guy without like, beating him up, or killing them. This is so totally goss material." Myanh gushed.

"Um, is this Joren that you're talking to? That cannot be true. We all know that he tried to get Kel to quit." Miliko said, finally realizing that Myanh was serious about talking to him.

"Yeah. Who else?" Myanh looked at Miliko as though she was from another planet.

"Oh, never mind. Listen, we have to go talk to the King, and Sir Myles, so come on. We'll go get Shadi, then go to their tent." Miliko said, eager to be off. "Sure. Bye Joren."

"Bye, Lady."

"Myanh. Lady Myanh of Hawaiiki."

"Bye, Lady Myanh."

Myanh started walking away, smiling over her shoulder.

"Myanh, wrong way." Miliko smiled. So did Myanh.

"Right way, actually. Shortcut, Miliko. If we go that way, my shoes will be totally ruined."

"Only you, Myanh. Only you," Miliko replied still smiling.