Page 85 of Dark Destiny: The Turning Of The Loom

Khiann frowned. "Vrog? The name does not sound familiar."

"Vrog is half Kra-ell, and he used to run a private school in another country. When he joined the clan, he offered to design a program for clan children who prefer to be homeschooled, and later for the Kra-ell children who cannot attend regular school, as well as for their parents, who did not speak English and had only basic education. He is very good at what he does."

"That is very thoughtful of Kian. I need to thank him."

Annani smiled. "I already did, and when you see him again, you can thank him in person."

"What time is Vrog coming?" Khiann asked.

"Two in the afternoon. We have plenty of time to finish lunch and chat until he comes."

Khiann eyed the motorized chair parked at the entry. "I think I am going to use the chair when he comes. I overtaxed myself, and I do not have the energy to entertain a guest while pushing the walker."

"Of course, my love. I will have Ogidu bring it to you."

When Vrog arrived, he looked exactly as Khiann had expected. Like the other hybrid Kra-ell, he was tall and thin, with black hair and black eyes that were a little too big for his face.

The smile, though, was unexpected.

The Kra-ell that Khiann had seen so far were somber-faced. They fit the image of fierce warriors even when going about their day and doing nothing out of the ordinary. It was in the way they moved and observed, and there was little difference between males and females.

Vrog, on the other hand, had a charming smile and seemed amiable.

"Hello, Khiann." He offered him his hand. "My name is Vrog, and Kian asked me to design a special program for you to get you up to speed on the world you have awakened to."

"Thank you." Khiann shook the offered hand. "I am looking forward to learning as much as I can, as fast as I can."

"Excellent." Vrog pulled back his hand and patted the slim case he was carrying under his arm. "I love motivated students."

They settled at the dining table, and Ogidu served them coffee and cookies. Annani remained in the living room and drank her tea, but Khiann knew she was listening.

Vrog opened the slim case and pulled out a device with a screen on top like the tablet Annani used for reading, and at the bottom were several rows of keys with different symbols on them.

Vrog turned it so Khiann could see. "I'm going to start you where I start everyone. I don't care if you're five thousand years old or five. The method is the same."

Vrog touched the screen, and a picture of a red, round apple appeared, with a triangular shape beside it.

"A," Vrog said. "This is the letter A in English, and this is the name of this fruit in English. Bill, say apple in English and in the old tongue."

The voice in Khiann's earpieces changed and did exactly what Vrog had told it to do.

"Who is Bill? And how did you make the earpieces talk in two languages?"

"Bill is the name of the educational software. I asked William's team to connect it to the earpieces so the two can work together."

"That is smart," Annani said from the living room. "I wondered how you were going to solve this."

Vrog inclined his head. "Thank you, Clan Mother. Your praise means a lot to me." He turned back to Khiann and pointed at the screen. "Say A."

"A."

"Now touch the letter."

Khiann touched it. The apple bounced, the voice said "A," and a small shower of gold stars fell across the screen.

He looked at Vrog.

"The stars are for the five-year-olds," Vrog said. "You can turn them off, but I'd leave them on. They tell you when you answer correctly. Next letter."