The young child set down her ceramic spoon, folded her linen napkin with deliberate care, and looked across the table at Hajin.
The child nudged her empty bowl toward the center of the table so Tessa could clear space for the next tray.
Tessa bustled between the long tables, setting down a ceramic crock of fresh blackberry preserves and a basket of hot biscuits.
"Master Hajin, you promised yesterday that we could talk after breakfast!" she reminded him in a clear, polite voice.
"I remember," the young summoner answered with an easy smile, pushing his empty bowl aside and wiping his hands on a clean cloth.
"Where would you like to speak?"
"I want the room with two doors," the girl replied without hesitation, sliding off her chair and smoothing her wool sweater.
"The quiet one near the library that opens toward both the garden and the hallway."
"Why that specific room?" Loccy asked curiously, her cheeks puffed full of sweet biscuit crumbs like an industrious chipmunk.
