On a String

Chapter 10

Wash it all away (Does any gold still remain at the bottom of the pan? Or was it washed away as well?).

Kai nodded, his shoulders sagging with relief. "Yeah,"

Cole grinned. "Good. Could you peel the carrots, then?"

"Okay,"

"And if you need a hand with anything, just ask."

"What's the plan for this afternoon?" Jay asked, shovelling potato cakes and salad into his mouth in a quicker-than-lightening fashion.

"We will be finishing this morning's lesson. Cole and Lloyd still have their presentation to do, as do Zane and I," Sensei Wu said, taking a dignified sip from his teacup and raising an eyebrow at his student's eating style. "Although a lesson in table manners may also be called for..."

"Ooh, c'mon. Our lives probably won't depend on how dignified we look while eating," Jay protested through a mouthful of lettuce.

"I'd be worried if they did," Zane chuckled. "Because you would have no hope for survival,"

"...That was a low blow, Zane,"

"Thank you, Jay. The pleasure was all mine,"

Jay rolled his eyes before returning to his meal.

Sensei Wu stood up. "I'll see you in the training room. And Cole, I need to speak with you before the afternoon lesson. Once you've finished your meal, could you please come to my quarters?"

"Um, okay, Sensei," Cole nodded, curious as to what the Master wanted to speak about.

Kai looked up, eyes tense. Questions. There was only one reason why Wu would want to see Cole privately.

Wu had questions.

Which meant he wanted answers.

Cole had answers.

The brand, the hanging, how she died, his own torture, numerous cuts, his fear of heat...

He'd given Cole too much. He should never have been so open.

Cole would... tell. He had to. Sensei Wu would make him.

(...a secret to be divided and shared out amongst brothers...)

"What's up, Kai?" Cole asked, breaking into Kai's thoughts.

Kai blinked. "Nothing,"

Cole gave him a questioning look. "You sure? You zoned out there for a moment-"

"It's fine," Kai cut in, voice emotionless.

Cole's eyes narrowed at the tone. Please, don't go back to speaking like that. "Well, if you're sure..." he trailed off, uncertain. "I've got to talk to Sensei. Are you gonna be okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Kai asked, his tone neither caring nor harsh. Sell me out. I don't care. Everything means nothing now.

Traitor-

"I'm not gonna tell him anything," Cole gave his friend a smile and a reassuring pat on the back before exiting the room.