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Now, secret in her hand, the cloth seee to Kira It told her there was danger still But it told her also that she was to be saved

5

Kira noticed for the first tie box had been placed on the floor behind the seats of the Council of Guardians

It had not been there before the lunchtiuards, responding to a nod frouardian, lifted the box to the table and raised its lid Her defender, Janized ier's robe!" Kira spoke aloud in delight

"This has no relevance," Vandaraforward to see

The nificent robe was laid out on the table in display Ordinarily it was seen only once a year, at the tithy history of their people Most citizens, crowded into the auditoriuer's robe only froe closer for a look

But Kira knew the robe well frouardian had always stood nearby, attentive Warned not to touch, Kira had watched,at her ht shade

There, on the left shoulder! Kira remembered that spot, where just last year some threads had pulled and torn and her mother had carefully coaxed the broken threads free Then she had selected pale pinks, slightly darker roses, and other colors darkening to crimson, each hue only a hint deeper than the one before; and she had stitched thees of the elaborate design

Jamison watched Kira as she re you the art"

Kira nodded "Since I was sed aloud

"Your mother was a skilled worker Her dyes were steadfast They have not faded"

"She was careful," Kira said, "and thorough"

"We are told that your skill is greater than hers"

So they knew "I still have ht you the coloring, as well as the stitches?"

Kira nodded because she knew he expected her to But it was not exactly true Her mother had planned to teach her the art of the dyes, but the time had not yet come before the illness struck She tried to be honest in her answer "She was beginning to teach ht by a woman named Annabel"

"Annabella now," Jamison said

Kira was startled "She is still alive? And four syllables?"

"She is very old Her sight is somewhat diminished But she can still be used as a resource"

Resource for what? But Kira stayed silent The scrap in her pocket arainst her hand

Suddenly Vandara stood "I request that these proceedings continue," she said abruptly and harshly "This is a delaying tactic on the part of the defender"

The chief guardian rose Around hi themselves, fell silent

His voice, directed at Vandara, was not unkind "You s are complete We have reached our decision"

Vandara stood silent, unuardian nodded, and two guards moved forward to escort her froht to know your decision!" Vandara shouted, her face twisted with rage She wrested her arrasp and faced the Council of Guardians

"Actually," the chief guardian said in a cal to tell you the decision so that there will be no irl Kira will stay She will have a new role"

He gestured toward the Singer's robe, still spread out on the table "Kira," he said, looking at her, "you will continue your o beyond her work, actually, since your skill is far greater than hers was First, you will repair the robe, as your mother always did Next, you will restore it Then your true ill begin You will coe undecorated expanse of fabric across the shoulders He raised one eyebrow, looking at her as if he were asking a question

Nervously Kira nodded in reply and bowed slightly