"You handle stress pretty well – or rather uniquely, I should say," Muezzi said with a small smile. She looked at Kintar as though she were a child, eyes glistening mildly.
That was exactly what Kintar hated about this woman. "I should say the same. Unlike me, you haven't been tempered – beaten down, and forced into a cruel training regimen meant to make you unbreakable. But here you are."
Muezzi chuckled and looked around them, at the Troops, most of whom had recovered enough to slowly and sneakily retreat from the two women. Grim had quietly advised them to give Kintar and Muezzi some room.
"I expected a clever retort to my compliment," the former Contract Knight said. "Do you believe me now?" She scanned the room for the Stars and Troops. "I have no doubt that you've been through hell and back, but whatever training you've been through… blood still counts for something. You're a notch above most."
Kintar narrowed her eyes. "Blood, huh?"
