Redsand Canyon muqaddima

He had some quick ideas to fill her time, which she took immediately as orders and felt her spine stiffen with her usual prideful bearing as she eagerly moved to do the job given, as fast as she could. Only it was a brief straightening of her posture and then again, she reminded herself to relax, and to wait, and to take her time with these things - they would be here a month and it was not her duty now to work herself to the bone.

Yes, of course, if I see them. Nazli promised, as if this job was of great importance. She would keep in mind that these birds were about; in her mind she saw running birds from the mesa, and would no doubt be stunned upon sighting her first pheasant bird, which was lower and fatter.

It felt as though she was being dismissed. Nazli was adequate at reading the people of Akashingo, and struggled now with Germanicus who was more stern, and somehow also more forgiving; but he appeared busy, or at least had other places to be given that he was the master of this place. She gave him an obedient little nod, and looked towards the tablinum again, wistful.