Her young student had paper and ink laid out on the table. Milvari glanced up at Kira’s approach. Worry darkened her face. “Good morn, Milvari,” Kira said. “Is something wrong?” Milvari dropped her head and let her hair fall forward. She reminded Kira of the frightened child she had been after the death of her parents. With a gentle touch, she raised the girl’s head so she could see her face and gave her a reassuring smile. “Milvari, please go and let your uncle know that we will be going outside the hold for our lesson today.” Milvari’s eyes grew round. “But—” Milvari swallowed hard, but she didn’t turn away from Kira. “What if he gets angry?” Kira put her hand on Milvari’s shoulder. She understood the girl’s fear. But the holder had not acted out his anger in physical violence. “He was angry last night,” she said softly, “and no one was harmed.”
