The guards at the door tipped their heads as Jara passed, then brought their fists to their chests. "Welcome back, Utan La-La!"

Leyla gave a curt nod to the boys she recognized as Sami and Topu. The latter usually worked the gaming tables at this hour; he must have made someone angry to be out here on door duty.

The men opened the double doors with big smiles, their free hands still at their hearts in Warrior salute.

"You trained the guards well," Raphael's tone was mocking behind her. Leyla chose to ignore him, her eyes on the sight in front of her.

The lobby looked exactly the way she had left it. The marble floors were squeaky clean, the crystal candle holders that hung from the high ceilings sparkled and there was a hint of warm sweet-spice in the air.

Her gaze drifted over the crowded lounge chairs; it was early in the day so most of the guests were enjoying fruit drinks and light snacks served by the well trained waiting staff. There was a young guard she didn't recognise standing inconspicuously near the potted plants on the far side of the gathering. Another guard, she recognised as Lola, was near the wide staircase at the back, nodding politely as people passed. A group of four were stationed beside the long desk where a girl waited to greet new guests and show them to their rooms.

Everything seemed under control.

"Looking for flaws in security, Lieutenant?" Raphael smiled beside her.

Leyla blinked, suddenly realising that she had been doing exactly that. "Apologies, I forgot this is an unfamiliar place for you," she kept her voice low as she pointed past the sitting areas to the four giant arched doors on either side of the chamber. "Those two doors lead to gaming rooms while the ones in the back - "

"Lead to the men's and women's bathhouses," the Prorex interrupted. Then he was smiling, "Michael drew a detailed map."

"Of course he did," Leyla mumbled feeling stupid for once again telling him things he knew.

"You don't need to worry about me, Lieutenant," Raphael spoke in a softer tone. "I told you, I'm finding this all fascinating."

"Utan La-La!" The petite blonde girl Leyla now recognized as one of her former trainees, called out from behind the long desk.

Suddenly everyone's attention was directed at Leyla. The waiting staff and guards who recognized her, stopped to raise their fists to their chests, while the guests looked on with surprise.

The pleasure in the employees faces at seeing her, made Leyla feel strange. In all the time she was on Asch, she had always known she would return to Gaia, so it had never felt like home. But this reception was...confusing. Clearing her throat, Leyla looked past the smiling girl: "Back straight, Marsa."

"Yes, Utan!" Marsa grinned. "Welcome back!"

The rest of the Jade Palace employees took up her cue: "Welcome back, Utan La-La!"

Jara looked over his shoulder at Leyla, his expression pleased, "It seems you have been missed."

Leyla felt her cheeks grow warm and frowned at Jara, "Weren't you thirsty, Mahsap? It would be best to hurry."

Jara laughed as he continued to walk past the desk.

"He likes to laugh, doesn't he?" Raphael muttered beside her, then when he caught Leyla's confused expression, his tone turned conversational: "That girl who called your name just now, she was wearing red feathers on her head, she's from the Ketatu tribe?"

"Yes," Leyla replied as they climbed the long stairs to the second floor. Jara led the way down the bright corridor, towards the largest of the green doors at the opposite end. "The Ketatu are grassland people. The women wear red feathers while the men paint their noses red to honour their fire god-"

"La-La!" The shrill squeal cut her explanation short and in the next moment Asya Da Su ran out of her brother's suite, delight written across her perfectly painted face. Leyla caught a glimpse of a short pink dress and long strawberry-coloured hair before the girl had thrown herself on her, hugging so tightly Leyla could barely breathe. "How could you just leave like that? Do you know how long we looked for you? And Jara has been so grumpy you wouldn't believe it-"

"Asya!" Her brother's warning tone, cutting off her tirade.

Asya moved back, smiling up at Leyla. "I missed you. Jade Palace is boring without you, and I'm really liking that skirt on you, but why on Asch are you wearing two tops?"

There was that warm feeling again. Leyla regarded the twenty-year old girl with affection, unsure how to respond. Since the day she saved the Asya on the Crags, the girl had glued herself to Leyla's side, coming to her whenever she was upset, even after Leyla stopped acting as her personal guard. Because Asya's problems mostly revolved around men, Leyla passed no comment on the stories she heard, nor did she have advice to give. Nevertheless, the heiress of the Da Su family kept seeking her out, seemingly happy to just talk.

"You're speechless right? It's because you missed me. I know you won't admit it, but I know you missed me loads!" Asya grinned. Then she noticed Raphael watching them only a few paces away and her eyes just about popped out of her head. "Who. Is. He?"

Jara frowned at his sister's reaction. "I'm glad Ra-Fa-El doesn't understand what you're saying, or he will think you have no manners."

Ignoring her brothers words, Asya shot her a desperate look: "Tell me he isn't taken!"

Leyla groaned inwardly. When Asya Da Su was interested in a guy, she did not hesitate, did not think and just steamrolled ahead. The only thing that would halt her infatuation now was claiming Raphael was taken, but he wasn't really. As for mentioning being his fake fiancé? That would only lead to complications. It was best to tell the truth, after all they were only here for as long as it took to arrange transportation to the Crags. "No, he is not."

"Perfect!" Asya straightened her hair, then stretched her hands towards the silent Raphael, clasping them in formal greeting. "Hello, my name is Asya Da Su. I'm Jarra's sister. Would you like to fall for me?"

"Asya!" Jarra rolled his eyes.

"Fine, fine! Then just ask if he wants to have a meal with me! Please La-La?"

Raphael responded to Asya's gesture with a bow of his own, then looked to Leyla. "Care to explain?"

"This is Jara's sister, Asya." Leyla explained then hesitated, unsure how much of the rest she should translate. "She is wondering if you'd like to have a meal with her."

"A meal?" Raphael raised one regal brow.

"Oh by all the waters in the Aquafarms! La-La, please tell me he isn't rejecting me." Asya pulled at the material of Leyla's shirt. "He's the most beautiful man I've ever seen. Just look at those golden eyes, the cheek bones, the way his shirt stretches over those lean muscles-"

"Asya!" Jara cringed, casting an apologetic look in Raphael's direction. "You will take your leave now. Our guests have been traveling and need to rest."

"But!" Asya looked bereft, but her pout only lasted until she noticed Raphael's polite smile. "That smile. Brother, he is the one. I can totally feel it."

Jara gave his sister a look that brooked no argument.

"Alright, there's plenty of time for me to win him over, anyway," Asya shrugged, then giving Leyla a dazzling smile she went on: " La-La, you've come to help Jara with his problem right? I mean those deaths were just horrible, so it will probably be impossible for Jara to find a new candidate anytime soon. But on the upside, that means you'll have to stay for a good long while. Oh, this is perfect. Jara won't lose more sleep and I'll get to spend time with Ra-Fa-El. You see, brother? Everything will be okay, now that La-La is here."

Deaths? Candidates? Leyla looked to Jara, whose expression was suddenly inscrutable.

"Asya. Leave. Now." He commanded.

His sister recognised the tone and kept her mouth shut. With a quick gesture of farewell, she was moving away, when Leyla stopped her. "Actually, Asya. Would you please show Raphael around the Palace? Just for a few minutes. I'll join him downstairs in the lobby."

The girl's eyes lit up: "You don't have to ask twice!"