CalledtoPower by Viola Grace Page A

animals.
    Alwinia was still trying to crack into Syrella’s mind.
    Sy smiled and gestured for the next student to lead up the next goat.
    Benhella carefully washed the teats and udders, drying them thoroughly before she worked to free the first milk into the discard bucket.
    Syrella watched Alwinia as she dropped her gaze and moved away. When the girl wound up to kick the milk bucket, Sy grabbed her by the back of the neck and dropped her to the floor of the milking barn.
    The other girls stood back, and one of the goats came in to nibble at her hair.
    “Now that you are seated in dust and hay, I would like to tell you why we do this.” Sy drew glyphs in the air. “You are born to family and privilege. That carries responsibility to know what the folk do to keep you in luxury. Some of these tasks are unpleasant and some are downright horrifying, but you will learn to do them all in an effort to help your mind settle and your body calm. When you know where everything you consume and wear comes from, you have a far better idea how hard folk work to provide it for you. You are going to learn animal husbandry, milking, shearing, carding, dying, spinning and weaving as well as cheese making and butter churning. These are all tasks that revolve around our fluffy friend there with the full udder.”
    As Syrella talked, she turned the glyphs into images of clothing, goats and wheels of cheese.
    Alwinia was hypnotized by the display, and she whispered, “How are you doing that?”
    “Everyone here at the Citadel, student and instructor, has a talent. If you are tempted to try and manipulate any of your fellow students, do know that our Minder does regular checks on all students, and if you are found to have tampered with the consciousness of any of your classmates, you will be returned promptly to your family in disgrace. If there is no family to send you to, the Minder will block your talent for several weeks or months, and you will learn to live life as those without talent do. Are we clear?”
    Alwinia nodded, got to her feet and brushed her hands along her student robes.
    “I need you to speak. I want to make sure that your fellow students know you understand and will not try to take advantage of them.”
    “I understand. We are clear on my behaviour.”
    Sy smiled. “Good. Instructor Halwen will show you what you need to do to keep the barn clear. You will begin your tasks the moment that you finish your turn milking Laydee, and Halwen will provide a full report of your actions and attitude at dinner this evening. You will learn to make butter and cheese another day.”
    “Yes, Instructor.” Alwinia went to the washing station and washed her hands.
    Benhella patted the side of her animal and removed the milk bucket, walking to fill the carry bucket with the yield.
    Alwinia jumped in surprise when Benhella’s goat walked calmly off the milking station and a second goat took the position.
    “The goats are eager to be milked. Their udders are aching, and they are as fond of this process as they could be given that they have no little ones to feed with the milk. Having the milk stay in the udder is painful, so they hop up to be milked every day.”
    She continued her direction as Alwinia cautiously washed the udder and teats before getting the stripping bucket in place. It took her almost a minute to coax the milk out of the goat, but once she had successfully removed the built-up milk in the teats, another student helped her by handing her a clean bucket.
    Halwen was in the doorway, and she nodded to Syrella.
    Sy walked over. “What is it?”
    “Message for you at the com centre. It is urgent.” Halwen smiled, “I will watch them. We are doing milking and cheese today?”
    “And butter. Vekia can power the separator.”
    “Got it. You go. I will keep them on task and have Alwinia start mucking out the goat pen. Lyra is almost awake, she can take over when we are done here.”
    Syrella shook out her robes, walked