those men i shot on the stairs . `` son , do you know why you 're here today ? '' male laughter echoed softly in her mind . and yet at least a few warriors did leave the fortress to represent him , and she knew from the way they all joked and teased each other that they were among his dearest of friends . a foot kicked him hard on the side of his head , and he could taste blood . `` i slept on the plane , '' she said , and they exchanged a look . 