"Tertulla," Calpernia says, and makes the name her own. Tertulla, the diminiutive of Tertia, little third, beloved third. It is manipulation, and Calpernia knows it-- but manipulation can be done with kindness. Had they met in another context, Calpernia would have freed this girl, set her to work she found meaningful, for a cause greater than them both. Some part of her aches with the knowledge that she cannot do this now, for her, for them both. (She aches with the knowledge she no longer has access to such power.)

"I did teach myself, yes, but I was lucky; my master was a scholar. I had the opportunity." And you did not lies unspoken in the air.