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‘Do you really believe that?’ The older woman crossed to her mother and took hold of her hands ‘Let me help you’

‘Proed ‘Lianthe, please’

‘I proave you’

‘You’ll dazzle her’

‘You’ll counter that’ The older woo of her hands, even after they were both seated Sera edged closer, scared of letting the heet in the puddle of wine on the floor, and loving the sweet, clean smell that surrounded her The woman smiled ‘Leave it, child Come, let me look at you’

Sera withstood the other wo as she could Stand tall, chin up, don’t fidget Her mothe

r’s words ringing in her mind No need to look like a street urchin

Fidget, fidget, beneath the woaze

‘My name’s Lianthe,’ the woman said finally ‘And I want you and your mother to come to my home in the mountains so that I can take care of you both until your ain Would you like that?’

‘Would there be visitors for Mama?’

‘What kind of visitors?’

‘The man’

Her lance

‘He would not visit I would be taking you too far away for that’

‘Would there be wine for her?’ Because as important ‘Wine’s like medicine’

‘Then there will be wine until we find better ry?’

So, so hungry but she’d learned long ago that so answer Her storumbled the answer for her anyway

‘When did you last eat?’ the lady asked next