For all that he disliked having her entrenched in his household, he’d grown to admire Cumbria’s spy. Tenacious and resolute, she’d suffered through his morning lessons without faltering. Her Gift had yet to manifest, but she hadn’t fled in terror. Silhara despised admitting failure, but he considered abandoning the morning exercises. They’d accomplished nothing so far besides giving him a sick feeling in his gut. Most surprising of all, Martise was a good harvester. What she lacked in strength, she made up for in speed and thoroughness. He only had to instruct her once on the proper technique
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