Technically speaking, the Tuann were never at war with the Tsavitee. Only a few in the emperor's court and some in the upper ranks of Roake's House knew about the presence behind the Tsavitee. A group responsible for enslaving the Tuann many thousands of years ago. The masters, as they were known. The rest of the Tuann had no clue. Some of the other Houses might suspect but most were in the dark. They'd wonder why they had to put their lives on the line for someone who could barely be considered one of them. A child stolen from them during an event the Tuann referred to as the Sorrowing.
As a result, Kira hadn't grown up Tuann. Until recently, she'd considered herself human. A product of clandestine gene experiments but homo sapiens nonetheless.
For that reason, she'd prefer not to drag House Roake into a war they didn't desire and one that would likely cost them considerably.
"You didn't start this war. The Tsavitee and their masters did when they attacked the adva ka. There are a lot of people who'd be grateful for a chance at vengeance. Remember that," Harlow instructed. "We're with you, niece. Never doubt it."
Kira's inhale was shaky as she gave him the nod he was expecting.
"That is why when you find them, you're not to go in alone. You will call us," Harlow pressed.
She nodded again. "Alright."
The tense set of Harlow's features eased. He gave her a firm nod before turning toward the waiting double doors that were guarded by a pair of the emperor's oshota. Kira took her place at his side as a sign of her status as Harlow's heir.
"I promise to do everything in my power to make it back," Kira said softly as Harlow signaled to the oshota that they were ready to enter.
Harlow gave no sign of hearing as he stepped inside, leaving Kira to follow. She was careful to keep her expression blank as she took in the room's occupants.
The Overlords of almost every major House were present along with representatives of influential minor Houses. Interspersed among their ranks were those in the matte black synth armor that designated them as the emperor's people.
To her surprise, only one of the emperor's Faces, those individuals bestowed with the emperor's authority, was in attendance. Disappointment moved through Kira at the realization that the Face she most expected to see was missing. His absence an unexpected blow that threatened the delicate balance she'd struck with herself.
She'd seen Graydon only once since he’d come out of his coma. An all-too-brief meeting that had done little to reassure her as to his health. Little was known about the side effects a sleeper, the Tsavitee weapon Elise had used on him to render him unconscious, would have on a Tuann. It could be she was worrying for nothing.
Then again, it wasn't like Graydon to be absent for something as important as this.
Kira sent her uncle an uncertain look, hoping he wasn't hiding something from her. Though could she really blame him after everything she'd just put him through? Her own fugue state and its aftermath.
"House Roake, it's good of you to join us after all this time. We've missed you during these proceedings," the Overlord of House Asanth drawled.
The man's size rivaled most of those in the room. It wasn't fat either. Just pure muscle mass stretched over a giant's body.
Tiny scars ran down the side of his neck and along a portion of his jaw. A sign that at some point in this man's life he'd come very close to dying. A chunk was missing from the tip of one ear. The way it had healed, jagged and covered in scar tissue, was very different from Kira's which had been docked in a surgical procedure to allow her to blend in better with humans.
The Overlord didn't wait for Harlow's response, his gaze locked on Kira. "Oh look, you've brought your heir. How fortuitous." The Overlord made a show of searching the air over Kira's shoulder. "No soul bound today? I thought he was your constant companion."
Kira didn't react to the provocation. No one except her, Harlow, and a very trusted few knew about Jin's absence.
"Considering his last encounter with the Tuann almost led to his execution, I thought it best he sit this one out." Kira swept a meaningful gaze over those assembled, most of whom had been present during the trial to decide Jin's fate.
As the first soul bound discovered in recent memory, the Tuann had been understandably perturbed when they'd found one in their midst. The soul bound had always been considered abominations. Monsters that went against the natural order of the universe, thought to only be capable of madness and bloodshed.
They were what happened when you took the soul of a living creature and bound it to a creation of metal and circuitry.