Chapter 4 Summary

Talia and Kris travel in silence. Talia has not been out of the city much because her parents disowned her when she was Chosen. At age thirteen, women in Holderkin either take a vow of silence and chastity to serve the goddess, or they marry; Talia is relieved when she is Chosen. When Talia tells her story to Selenay, the Queen ensures unhappy children can leave Holderkin by sending Heralds with thought-sensing to the Border Sectors. Talia tells Kris about her past until they stop for lunch. Wondering about his uncle's words, Kris asks Talia about influencing Elspeth and the Council, but Talia vehemently denies the rumors. Talia does not speak to Kris for a long time after they return to the North Road. When he asks how her Gift works, Talia explains that she can feel emotions and sometimes fix them if...