"Sina has the talent of a First," Ellana explains patiently. "She can make plants grow. Pel can too. All Keeper's apprentices can. And so I know I'm not depriving the garden of anything that she can't easily regrow. I don't leave the Commander flowers every few days, either. Just when I think of it."

It's a simply gesture, meant to be calming. The scent of flowers amidst all the parchment and ink is a change, but something only faintly noticeable.