"You are dripping on the tatami mats."
Akira stopped in the middle of the ruined courtyard, looking down at his soaking wet ceremonial robes. He had literally just blasted an elite assassin over a roof, and my first instinct was to complain about the flooring.
"I will buy you a new floor," Akira rumbled, his chest still heaving. "I will buy you an entirely new palace. In a city that isn't actively trying to set us on fire."
"Deal," I smiled.
I turned toward the main pavilion. "Yua! Rin! It's clear!"
The heavy iron bolt of the pantry slid back with a loud clack. Rin peeked her head out first, still clutching her wooden rolling pin like a club. When she saw the glued and trapped assassins groaning in the courtyard, her eyes went wide.
"Whoa," Rin breathed. "You totally got them."
"We did," I said, walking over and taking the rolling pin from her. "You and Yua stay in the pantry. Lock the door again. Akira and I have to go talk to the Emperor about his terrible boat party."
