When Sarai opened her eyes, Winnamine gave her a tiny smile. Her mouth trembled. “Obviously halting your sword lessons was a mistake,” she murmured to Sarai. “It’s a crime not to encourage such an aptitude.” Sarai stared at her stepmother. “But I fainted,” she whispered. “After,” said Winnamine. “You fainted after you’d done the important thing.” She bit her lip, then continued, “We shall find you a teacher in the morning. In fact, though it may be too late, I may study swordcraft, too. And Dove . . . ?”
