gathering_blue_novel-2

"We are told that your skill is greater than hers."
So they knew. "I still have much to learn," Kira said.
"And she taught 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 me," Kira said. "She told me that she had been taught 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 was warm
against 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 him, the other guardians, who had been
murmuring among themselves, fell silent.
His voice, directed at Vandara, was not unkind. "You may go," he said. "The
proceedings are complete. We have reached our decision."
Vandara stood silent, unmoving. She glared at him defiantly. The chief
guardian nodded, and two guards moved forward to escort her from the room.
"I have a right to know your decision!" Vandara shouted, her face twisted with
rage. She wrested her arms free of the guards' grasp and faced the Council of
Guardians.
"Actually," the chief guardian said in a calm voice, "you have no rights at all.
But I am going to tell you the decision so that there will be no misunderstanding.
"The orphan girl Kira will stay. She will have a new role."
He gestured toward the Singer's robe, still spread out on the table. "Kira," he