“They do,” Tintoval replied, “but there’s much more to doing than can be learned from teaching.” With a frown she added, “And it’s very much true that for birthing, most prefer a midwife to a healer, so it’s rare that the Healer Hall sees a pregnancy; they never did in the Turns I was there.”

Ellor nodded, relieved that the healer wasn’t planning on drafting the midwives.

“How many of them have children?” Terin asked. Ellor gave her a reproving look; it was obvious that she considered Terin’s involvement in the conversation to be impudent.

“That’s a good question,” Fiona said purposely.

Taking the hint, Ellor replied, “A few.”

“Perhaps those midwives would like to have their children watched during the day,” Terin said.

“The ones who are too old to just run errands and call for help if it’s needed could learn a lot with us,” Tintoval said in agreement.

Ellor nodded, a speculative look on her face. After a moment, she smiled, glancing evilly at Terin. “I know just the one to start with, too!” she exclaimed.

Terin gave her a worried look, which rapidly changed to one of alarm.

“Do you remember Bekka?” Ellor asked, her eyes dancing.

Terin groaned. “The one who never sleeps?”

“That’s her,” Ellor agreed with a broad smile. She turned to Tintoval. “She’s Merika’s eldest, three months shy of thirteen Turns.” She glanced at Terin, adding, “She’s older than you.”

“Not anymore,” Fiona corrected. Ellor’s expression dropped; she said nothing, but Fiona could feel the older woman’s anger.

“You say she never sleeps?” Tintoval asked, glancing at Ellor.

“She takes short naps, like a fire-lizard,” Ellor explained with a grin. “I was actually thinking of drafting her for late nights here in the Kitchen.”

“If she’s any talent with healing and she doesn’t sleep,” Tintoval said thoughtfully, “she might make a good recruit to the Healer Hall.”

“The Healer Hall?” Ellor repeated, shaking her head uncertainly. “I don’t know if they could manage with someone like her.”

Tintoval smiled. “They managed with me!”

Bekka proved everything that Terin remembered. Although she had twelve Turns, she was small for her size so she looked younger. It took Tintoval and Fiona only a few moments to discover that the youngster was every bit as smart—and irrepressible—as her mother, Merika, had warned.

“She’s a handful, make no mistake,” Merika had said with a look that crossed affection with exasperation. “But she’s got a big heart and she’ll listen.”

“But she won’t follow orders unless she’s convinced,” Tintoval guessed.

“Ah,” Merika had said, her eyebrows going up, “you’ve met the type!”

“I am the type!” Tintoval admitted. At Merika’s look of surprise, she elaborated. “I used to keep the entire level up with my antics until Kindan arrived—and then it was just him.”