Ristéard paused outside the door to his cabin. Sadao straightened from where he had been leaning back against the wall. He knew that Sadao had something on his mind. When that happened, he generally heard about it.
“She isn’t what she appears,” Sadao stated with a grim, determined look on his face. “There is something about her I can’t put my finger on.”
“She’s human,” Ristéard replied. “How many humans have you ever met?”
Sadao grunted and sighed. “True,” he admitted. “Until we arrived on Kassis, none. I just can’t help but feel there is something else about her.”
“She is the Empress of Elpidios,” Ristéard murmured in a low voice. “I’ve instructed Andras that she is to be protected at all cost.”
Sadao nodded. “I figured as much when I saw her,” he said. “Out of the five of us, I’ve a
