There was something in the stubborn set of the girl’s lips that reminded Phalue of a time long ago. She’d stood in front of her father in the dining hall as he lounged with a woman on his arm – one she didn’t recognize – a mug of wine held in the other hand. At twelve, she was already too tall, her shoulders too broad; her hands and feet felt like oversized leaves at the end of slender branches. Around her, the sounds of laughter and revelry continued unabated. “I want to learn how to fight,” she’d said. She’d had to shout it again to be heard above the noise. She’d asked once before during a formal dinner and had been denied. But, watching her father, she’d come to understand: he was a bit more lax when he was intoxicated.

Her father lifted a hand and lowered it, and the noise around him quieted a little. “You’re a governor’s child. You don’t need to learn how to fight; you’ve got guards to take you into the city when you want to see your mother. You asked me once already and the answer was ‘no’.”

Phalue set her jaw. Visiting her mother surrounded by guards was never a relaxing proposition. “And I’m asking again.”

Her father peered at her and the conversation quieted further. She’d never been so aware of being so alone. Her mother had left the palace half a year ago. It was just her and her father and always so many strangers she didn’t know. She needed this.

And then he’d laughed, raised his mug and leaned back in his chair. “Very well. I’ll find someone to teach you.”

Fortunately, her father had been the sort of drunk who still remembered his promises.

Ayesh hadn’t moved, her jaw still set, her bundle of food and clothes still clutched in her arms. She was small, no one could deny that. There was the missing hand too, but there were ways around that. These were reasons to teach her, not to deny her. It would even out the girl’s disadvantages and improve her chances in the city. Wouldn’t that be something Phalue could do to help? And she spent this time in the practice yard already.

If Phalue told her no, would the girl even move? Or would she ask again, as Phalue had? She had a feeling she knew the answer.

“I’ll teach you,” Phalue said. “Come back here every morning around this time. Every morning, mind you – this takes dedication. I’ll give you lessons.”

A grin broke out across the girl’s face – the first Phalue had seen from her. “I will.” She marched down the road without looking back.