Final answer:
Timoshenko possibly releases Kira due to a chaotic situation and distrust among the guards, as implied by the excerpt discussing uncertainty and the master-at-arms loosing prisoners.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to the actions of Timoshenko, a character presumably from a novel, who decides to release Kira after she is arrested with Leo for attempting to escape. The excerpt provided does not directly reference Timoshenko, Kira, or Leo but speaks about a general sense of distrust among those guarding prisoners.
In this context, one might infer that Timoshenko releases Kira because the guards are unsure about who to trust among many new faces, indicating a chaotic or confusing situation which could have been taken advantage of. The master-at-arms is mentioned as loosening the prisoners, which could suggest a gesture of compassion or a strategic move in the face of uncertain loyalty or authority.