Burr was a watch-wher at Harper Hall and Healer Hall during the Sixth Pass. His owner was Capiam.
Masterhealer Capiam had cultivated an association with Burr ever since his hatching a few turns earlier. Capiam and Craftmaster Tirone made it strictly understood that they would not tolerate apprentice abuse of the watch-wher.
When Thread fell on Fort Hold, Capiam or Tirone - whichever of the two Masters was present - would take Burr into the main entrance of the Hall to remind the young men and women that the watch-wher could provide an important function in that perilous period.
Burr would 'snort' up to people he knew, recognizing their smell and gurgling his greeting. One day, Burr's ecstatic welcome nearly knocked Capiam off his feet. However, since the greeting was sincere, Capiam was oddly touched by it.