"My name is Kuni-Sun Lay," she said. He nodded, and then turned to the old woman.
"I have been looking for a new apprentice. You daughter would be perfectly suited for the position."
"Will I see her again?"
"I… I do not know…"
The little girl looked tearfully up at her mother. "I have to leave you?"
"Only… only if you want to…"
The girl looked down as if ashamed. "But I do." She frowned at the floor to hide her tears.
"You should go, darling. This is the path to a better life for you. It would be foolish not to take it."
The man strode to the door. "We must be going now," he said quietly.
The girl hugged her mother tightly. "I will visit you!" she called as she walked out the door. "I promise!"
