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A, where Masha lay sniffling Airl for injuries, but she'd received nothing more than bruises Aentle words, while Bernard narrowed his eyes and focused his earthcrafting on Ajax, slowly bringing the proud little horse to a halt Bernard pulled a lump of honeyed wax fro quietly as he took up Ajax's reins again

"Back straight," Amara told the child "Heels out"

Masha sniffled a few times, then said, "Ajax should beoff a smile "But he doesn't kno So you need to practice proper for his treat from Bernard's hand "Can I practice it toht now," Aht not ever get back on," Amara said

"But it's scary"

Amara did smile, then "That's why you have to do it Otherwise, instead of controlling your fear, your fear is controlling you"

Masha considered this gravely for a ood"

"I said it was normal," Amara replied "Everyone feels afraid Especially when so bad happens But you can't let that scare you into quitting"

"But you quit doing Cursor stuff for the First Lord," Masha pointed out

Amara felt her smile fade

Behind Masha, Bernard rubbed studiously at his mouth with one hand

"That was different," Aht not understand until you're older"

Masha frowned "Why not?"

"Co in He lifted the child into the air as lightly as a piece of down and put her on the pony's saddle He was a big man ide shoulders, his dark hair and beard streaked with threads of silver His hands were large, strong, and scarred with a lifetientle with the child as a , like before," he said calathered up the reins and bit her lower lip "Can I go slow?"

"That's fine," Bernard said

Masha clucked her tongue and began walking Ajax along the outside wall of the ring, her back practically bending backward in its efforts to stay straight Her toes rested on the pony's ribs

"Well?" Amara asked quietly, once the child was several yards away

"Isana's coo"

"Senator Valerius has ether a quoru the legitih Around "There are tiomaniac quite a bit harder"