There had been a time when words had been the only place she could find solace. No book ever lost patience with her or told her to sit still. When her tutors had thrown up their hands in frustration, it was the library that had taught Kalika military history, strategy, chemistry, astronomy. Each spine had been an open door away whispering, Come in, come in. Here is the land youโve never seen before. Here is a place to hide when youโre frightened, to play when youโre bored, to rest when the world seems unkind.