"And you believe him?"

"Yes."

"He could be lying, sir."

"Would you lie about it, Brian?"

"I wouldn't have sent an assassin."

"Neither would he. Not in this case." He put the disk down. "Takashi won't step outside his code of honor. He wants this duel. I think he feels that he needsit."

"What about you, Colonel?"

He swiveled the chair until his back was to me before saying, "I'm here, aren't I?"

That seemed to be all he wanted to say, but I was reluctant to leave. "When will we be leaving the Chieftain,Colonel?"

"Wewon't," he replied sharply. " Iwill. I will be the only passenger in the shuttle to the surface."

Steeling myself, I said, "No, sir."

The chair swung around. "What?"

I refused to be intimidated. I knew Founder William Cameron had died at the Wolf's side after insisting on accompanying Wolf into danger that William was not equipped to handle. I might be committing myself to the same fate. Back in the sibko I had adored the tales of the founder's unswerving courage and dedication. How often I had dreamed that I would be the same way, but now it was so much more than an abstract ideal. That didn't make me less scared, however. I felt that if I looked Wolf in the eye, he would see that fear and I would be lost. So I stared at the wall behind his head. "Hans and I will be accompanying you, Colonel."

The Wolf sat back, surprised at my refusal. His eyes narrowed. I saw the motion and knew I could not afford to meet his gaze. "I can order you to remain aboard the Chieftain."

"I hope you won't, Colonel."

We sat there for a long time. It seemed like hours, but I know it wasn't. At last, he said, "Stan put you up to this, didn't he?"

I wasn't surprised that he guessed. "Yes, sir."

"I could make it an order."

I was sure he knew where that would put me, but I told him anyway. "If you don't come back, I'll have to explain to Colonel Blake why I didn't follow hisorders, sir."

The Wolf stroked his beard. "Do you expect me to lose this battle?"

I opened my mouth, but said nothing for a moment. How could he think I doubted his ability in combat? Takashi Kurita might be among the best of the Inner Sphere warriors, but he was not Clan-trained like Jaime Wolf. There was no comparison. "I have every confidence that you can defeat Takashi Kurita in combat, Colonel."

"Carefully spoken, Brian. We've trained you well, maybe too well." He was quiet for a moment, then he leaned forward a little. "The Dragoons need you. Whoever leads the Dragoons needs you. You are too valuable an asset to risk."

"I have been in combat with you, risking both my life and yours simultaneously. You did not shield me then."

Sitting back, he said quietly, "Times change."

"They may, but I have already been risked by coming to the Luthien system. So has the Chieftain,which is more important to the leader of the Dragoons than any individual commo officer."

"You'll be safe enough in orbit," he said as I drew breath.

"Respectfully, sir. I will not be in orbit. You are the leader of the Dragoons, and if I am an important asset to the leader, I am important to you. Wherever you are."

His eyes were hard and his tone angry, but something about his expression held a hint of another emotion. "Will you refuse a direct order?"

I didn't want to answer that question directly. Hoping I had the strength for it, I met his gaze and said, "It's not just duty, Colonel. This is a matter of honor."

It was the Wolf's turn to be silent. His eyes stared into mine until there seemed to be nothing left in the universe but him and me. I thought I would flinch, but I didn't. After what seemed an eternity, he found whatever he was looking for. Turning away, he sighed. I might have heard him whisper the word, "honor." I also heard the words, "Don't worry, son. I won't put you in the position of refusing a direct order. If you survive this, you still have a career with the Dragoons."

24

"Is this wise, husband?"

Jasmine's voice was neither imploring nor accusing, but Takashi's answer was gruff.

"It is my will."

"If you are to be obstinate and duel Jaime Wolf today, you must be rested. An athletic match will tire you."

"I am not so old as that. Kendocalms me."

"You never claimed that in your matches with Subhash -sama. "

"Those days are gone."

The Coordinator busied himself adjusting the straps of his do.Silently, Jasmine helped him. Her fingers were more nimble than his, and no less sure. The body armor secure, he stooped for his gloves and mask.

"I shall see that your cooling vest and best uniform are laid out. You will wish a bath?"

"That would be good."

"Husband ..."

"Say nothing, wife."

Tears welled in her eyes, filling them. Takashi reached a gentle hand to wipe away the fugitives that coursed down her cheeks. With a sudden, fierce move, she clutched one of his hands in both of hers and pressed it to her lips. Sobbing, she fled the chamber, her feet drumming on the veranda that led to the main portion of the palace. Takashi held a hand out to her, but said nothing. His hand fell to his side and he stood staring at the empty door.

From within the dojowhere Homitsu waited, he heard all that was said between the Coordinator and his wife. Like any servant of House Kurita, he gave no sign that he had heard what was not his affair. Takashi finally stepped from the mats at the edge of the room and onto the polished wood. Homitsu, now a part of the Coordinator's world, greeted him with a deep bow. The Coordinator bowed in return, deeper than the proper response to a mere servant.

"I apologize for keeping you waiting, Homitsu -san."

"I am at your disposal, Coordinator."

Takashi chuckled at some private joke. "You know, I used to practice with the Director of the ISF. They were hard matches, well-fought. I did not always win."

"Does the Coordinator have a complaint?"

"Iie,"he said absently as he slipped into his mask and secured the ties that would hold the menin place. "No complaint."

"If it would be the Coordinator's wish, I had thought to suggest bokkentoday."

Takashi's expression was hidden behind his protective mask. "Bokken?Yes, the wooden swords will be more appropriate than shinaitoday. You know what is to happen today?"

"Hai,Coordinator."

"Do not hold back."

Homitsu finished tying on his own men.He was glad his face was hidden. "I will not."

They donned gloves and Homitsu offered two bokkento Takashi, letting his karmachoose his course. The Coordinator hefted the wooden sword he'd selected and nodded in satisfaction. Homitsu gripped the remaining sword, feeling its weight. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Karma.

They bowed and began. The Coordinator's form was sharper than usual as he pressed his attack. Homitsu gave ground, blocking only. He shifted balance, bokkencanted away from the best line of defense. The Coordinator's weapon slipped through, striking Homitsu on the dowith a resounding crack.

Takashi backed away. "You are holding back more than usual."