Later that evening, the four friends found themselves alone in one of the palace's quiet observation chambers. The formal dinner had been pleasant enough, but Princess Liyana had excused herself early, claiming she needed to catch up with her parents about the diplomatic tour.
"Did anyone else feel like we were being interviewed back there?" Radji asked, settling onto one of the coral benches.
"More like evaluated," Sahara said. "The King was definitely sizing us up."
Saguna nodded, staring out through the crystal walls at the underwater gardens. "He was polite about it, but those weren't casual questions."
"Can you blame him?" Osa asked, though he sounded troubled. "Three strangers with unprecedented abilities show up at his palace during a time of 'dimensional instability.' I'd want to know their intentions too."
