Threshold of Annihilation (The Firebird Chronicles #3) - T.A. White Page 0,58

the deaths of the Curs. Had she replaced some of those bonds with new ones, she might not have been in her current state.

Finn's definition of an oshota was counter to a Tuann's personality.

"I think you have a small misunderstanding about Tuann society," Finn informed her.

Kira lifted her eyebrows at him.

"You're surrounded by people like Graydon and Harlow who compel the loyalty of their peers. You think all oshota serve a sword. You're wrong." Finn picked up his chai. "In all of Roake there are fewer than forty people who compel an oshota's loyalty."

Kira blinked. That couldn't be right.

There were several thousand members in Roake's House. If Finn's statement was true, the numbers of those considered a sword were astronomically low.

Finn nodded. "Less than ten percent of those who have earned the right to call themselves oshota have swords they serve. Our vows are considered sacred. They're not something to take lightly because in the future, you might have to choose between your sword's life—and your loved ones."

An impossible choice.

Kira had seen such things in war when soldiers had to decide whether to carry out their orders or attempt a return to planets that were already in the midst of invasion.

"Why take it that far?" Kira asked.

"It's an ancient story that has its roots in our escape from the old masters."

Kira listened with interest. She'd already determined that those the Tuann called their old masters were also the ones pulling the Tsavitee's strings behind the scenes.

She'd only met one of their ilk, but that person had left an impression.

"The Tuann admire the strong," Finn started. "There is a reason for that. In the time before our records began, stories tell of those few individuals who fought to free us. Power wise they were no match for the old masters, but they had one thing their enslavers did not."

"Let me guess—the oshota."

Finn nodded. "Though that name didn't come until later. Our people have always been warriors, but in those days, there was no way for a single person to win against the combined might of our masters. Instead, warriors would find individuals who showed superior intellect and skill to pledge their loyalty too—often at great costs to themselves."

Finn leaned forward. "In that time, if their hearts wavered even a little because of external threats to family or life, the person they promised to protect would fall—taking with them the rest of the Tuann."

"I understand the necessity of unwavering loyalty in desperate times, but the Tuann aren't the same group of repressed clans. Why still take the oath to such lengths?" Kira asked.

"You think we're strong?" Finn shook his head. "We're not. We're as fractured and divided as ever. You haven't tasted the darker aspects of our society because Graydon and Harlow have been careful in what they exposed you to."

It took a moment of thought for Kira to put the pieces together. "The infighting between the Houses."

Finn nodded. "Yes. Roake has three blood vendettas with smaller Houses and a blood feud with a major House. Their enemies are many. The only reason Harlow was able to hold the House after your father's death was because of the oshota at his side."

"If an oshota's role is so rigid, then why did you allow Graydon to appoint you as my oshota?"

Except for a rather tense misunderstanding during their first meeting, Finn hadn't known her then. She found it hard to believe he'd make a commitment of that magnitude under those conditions.

"Instinct," Finn responded. "Like recognizes like."

Kira considered him as she played with the handle of her mug.

Finn clenched his hand into a fist. "My previous sword was a selfish, naive woman whose House spoiled her and gave her everything. It took me years to realize the extent of my mistake. Even then, I've never revealed what I learned while in attendance to her. Believe me when I say you're worth far more than she could have ever hoped to be."

Kira wanted to trust his words—if only because it would make things easier. But she knew too much about the human condition and how, when backed into a corner, someone might make desperate decisions they wouldn't otherwise.

Seeing her hesitation, Finn said, "I've been your oshota in truth since the ancestors’ room on Ta Da'an."

He placed a hand on her wrist, right over the recently acquired Overlord bands hidden under her sleeves and the inhibitor she still wore. Unlike the symbols that only appeared on her body when in primus form, these remained long after