How to apologize for wanting some word, some story, some beautiful thing for my own?
-- Narrator (chapter 1)

Importance: When Annis is enslaved at the sire's house, she develops a habit of spying on her half-sisters' lessons with their tutor. Annis knows she might get caught, but accepts these risks. Listening to the tutor's lessons gives her something of her own. She feels as if she has a secret pastime, and as if she is gaining knowledge and insight of her own volition and for herself. She savors the things she learns while eavesdropping on the tutor, as she otherwise has no access to such information. The moment reinforces Annis's interest in story and poetry, and her longing for freedom and autonomy.

Teaching Mama Aza's way of fighting, her stories—it's a way to recall another world.
-- Sasha (chapter 1)

Importance: Although Annis loves her fighting lessons with Sasha, she struggles to understand their purpose. Because she is...