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seems. If I'm interpreting correctly, she'll need every bit of her strength to get through the next two years.
Dawn cocked her head, wondering what sort of dire hardship could possibly overtake Bryn within the Temple. Would she fail to be chosen by a bird, and made to serve the likes of Clea and Eloise? Many men and women who came to the Temple as youngsters were never chosen by birds. They grew old within the Temple, wearing handmaid or acolyte robes throughout their lives, performing whatever tasks they were assigned. Would that be Bryn's fate?
    Dawn shook her head. She didn't think so. Bryn's chart held not one but three powerful aspects for prophecy. She'd surely get to be bird-chosen. No, her horizon showed portents of something much more menacing than being denied a feather.
    What could it be?
If I only had Ishaan's knowledge, I'd comprehend better. Maybe I'm wrong. After all, what danger could come to her here in the Temple?
    Dawn thought of Selid, and shivered. A tap on her shoulder almost made her spill her ink. She hadn't heard Alyce draw her curtain.
    “We're summoned to the Sendrata of Handmaids,” Alyce told her, sounding disgruntled.
    Light from wall sconces bounced off the floor of the hallway as they hurried from the handmaids' hallto Nirene's office. Alyce tapped on the polished door, and Nirene called them in.
    “Be seated.” The Sendrata hardly noticed their bows, waving them toward chairs. “I must arrange chores for the new handmaids. Tell me what they'd be suited for.”
    Alyce slumped into her chair. “Cleaning latrines,” she muttered darkly.
    “Come now. That's reserved for punishment.” Nirene frowned. “Has Clea disregarded the rules?”
    “She looks down her nose at me constantly, but there's no rule against that, is there?” Alyce answered.
    “Look to yourself, Alyce, or you'll be the one cleaning latrines. What work would she be suited for?”
    Fiddling with her blond braid, Alyce sighed. “She fancies herself a great reader.”
    Nirene nodded. “I'll put her in the library.” She turned sourly to Dawn. “And Bryn?”
    “But I've only just finished drawing her chart, Sendrata—”
    “Never mind the stars.”
    “But I thought you wanted—”
    “ You spent the day with her.” Nirene flapped a hand impatiently. “What is she good for?”
    Feeling muddled, Dawn tried to recall the time with Bryn. The girl had asked a hundred questions. She'd been much more interested in the outdoors than in the classrooms. They had needed to wash her robe because of all the dirt that clung to it, not to mention Jack's paw prints.
    “If nothing strikes you, Dawn,” Nirene said, breaking into her thoughts, “I will assign her—”
    “Kiran!” Dawn yelped. Then she caught herself and spoke quietly. “Bryn could help Kiran to care for the horses. She sometimes tended them back in her village.” She swallowed, hoping Nirene wouldn't find out that Bryn hadn't mentioned that she'd ever “tended” horses.
But Ellerth, Goddess of the Earth and its creatures, is foremost in her chart. She's sure to be good with animals. The young stallion liked her, didn't he?
    “ You're recommending she help Kiran in the stables?” Nirene looked doubtful. “The girl is frightfully backward, and assisting an oaf like Kiran would hardly improve her manners.” Dawn said nothing, afraid that if she pressed, Bryn would end up working side by side with Clea or Eloise.
    Nirene drummed her fingers. “Very well,” she said at last. “Clea shall have her chores in the library and, if the Sendral of Horses approves, Bryn shall assist Kiran in the stables.”

Five
    Bryn followed Dawn through cool stone corridors on her way to her first class in Temple protocol. She and Dawn entered a stream of blue-robed handmaids and acolytes flowing through the halls. Bryn's robe, which had looked lovely to her when she received it, seemed terribly worn now. Many students were draped in embroidered silk.
    Out beside the pond