Valla stopped and looked at Tommy, her expression puzzled. "Familiar? I don't have ...," she started to say, then paused as she looked up in a tree behind her where a black raven was perched. The bird had been following her around for weeks, and lately at night she had taken to talking to it. Doing so had comforted her, it seemed as though the animal understood.<br/><br/>The tutor the wizard had sent to work with her had mentioned familiars, but Valla had never consciously tried to summon one. Still, this wouldn't be the first time her talent had worked magic without her volition.<br/><br/>The raven stared back down at her as Valla's thoughts tumbled. The animal cocked its head, as though saying, "<em>Duh!</em>"<br/><br/>Valla turned back to Tommy and offered him a weak smile. "I'm sorry, for back there," she said, her tone contrite. "That was ... uncalled for. I had no right to say those things."<br/><br/>She paused, her anger having evaporated, replaced by cold embarrassment. "I can't imagine what it would be like, to live on the streets, not know where your next meal is coming from," she said, then grinned as she looked at him. "Well, maybe I can imagine. I'm getting a little hungry. You really think they might give us some hog?"<br/><br/>