Chapter 79

Ayla sighed. “You and me both. He is always so mean to me!”

“When you come to live in Nordmar, you will never have to see him again.”

Rhobart tried to get the kite down from the roof, but it got stuck on something. He pulled harder, and Ayla heard how part of the kite’s fabric ripped apart.

“I’zoratxu!” Rhobart muttered under his breath.

“What does that word mean?” Ayla asked.

“It means—” Rhobart shook his head. “It’s a bad word.”

“It’s a curse word?” Ayla asked.

Rhobart chuckled softly. “Yeah.”

“Is it worse than idiot?”

“Much, much worse. I will tell you what it means when you are older.” Rhobart looked at the sky. “I don’t have time to make another kite. Soon we will have to get ready for the O’neltxero.”

Late in the afternoon, two maids came to help Ayla get ready. After the maids washed her, they helped Ayla put on the dress Queen Enna gifted her during breakfast. It was a beautiful white dress made from soft, warm wool. Hundreds of beads were sewn on it in the form of