76. Trust and Training

The post-breakfast atmosphere in the pack house was abuzz with preparations for the morning's training session at 10 am. A lingering question hung in the air — how would Avery cope with Tanner being away at training? It was Avla who first broached the subject.

"Well, we could let her come," Avla suggested, considering the little girl's attachment to Tanner.

Gideon, ever cautious, frowned slightly. "I've always kept the young ones away from training. It's hard to explain some of the things that happen there," he reasoned, thinking of the sometimes brutal nature of their exercises.

Avla, however, seemed confident in her proposal. "I'm certain Tanner will be far more reserved if Avery is around," she pointed out, aware of Avery's calming influence on Tanner.

As if on cue, Tanner entered the kitchen, Avery perched happily on his shoulders. After a brief exchange and a reminder to Avery that he would be right back, Tanner handed her over to Gideon and disappeared to change into his wor