Page 108 of The Blade in the Ashes
This building was impossibly large. It felt like we had been walking for nearly half an hour and still Ayanna’s pace had not slowed.
“You’ll have to forgive my abruptness,” she called over her shoulder, not even glancing back at us. “We’ve had to become cautious of strangers during these times. Especially ones that look like you.”
“What do you mean by that?” I huffed, not bothering to hide how offended I was by her phrasing.
“You haven’t heard?” Her pace slowed so she could turn back to look at us. She barely glanced my way before settling her attention on Kent.
I couldn’t figure out why she seemed to like him more than me. We had dressed similarly. We were both clearly soldiers. I supposed I looked a little more gruff than he did with my overgrown hair. Perhaps I needed a trim. Absently, I scratched at the scruff of my overgrown beard. I needed a shave, too.
“Libraries across the country have been burned to the ground by Hyraxian forces,” Ayanna explained. “We do what we can to protect ourselves and our pupils here, but we are scholars, not soldiers. Many of us feel that it’s only a matter of time before they come for us.”
Any thoughts of insecurity or confusion over her attention faded from my mind at her words.
“Why would they want to burn the libraries?” I mused aloud, almost accidentally.
She laughed, a deep, rich sound. “Come now, evenyoumust be bright enough to figure that out.”
Her gaze was mocking as it turned to me only to soften when she glanced again at Kent, who nodded his understanding. Great, I was the only one who didn’t get it. Just the big, dumb lunk interrupting their conversation.
“If you want a new regime in power, you erase the history of an alternative option,” Kent told me.
“Precisely,” she smiled gently at him before tilting her head at me and then turning to continue on. “Here we are.”
She tapped gently on the door three times before pushing it open, stepping inside, and holding it ajar for us to follow in after her.
Golden light poured in through the three large windows behind the massive study. Overstuffed bookshelves covered the walls, and various plants were scattered along their tops. The Headmaster sat not at the worn desk, but in the oversized armchair by the fireplace. A book lingered in his lap and a cup of tea in his hands. His robes were entirely scarlet, standing out starkly against his pale, wrinkled skin.
He lifted his head as we entered, glancing first at Kent and me before his attention fell completely on Ayanna.
“And who are these fine men?” he asked her, pushing up the spectacles that rested on the bridge of his nose.
“They come with news from the Dragon.” She bowed her head respectfully as she passed him the note.
He took it gently, watching us apprehensively for a moment before tugging at the wax seal and reading the words Clay had written. His brow furrowed as he read, shoulders sinking.
“I must confess I am not surprised by this request.”
“Time is of the essence,” Kent told him. “We’d like to leave immediately.”
The Headmaster chuckled. “Ah, but just because you wish it does not mean it will happen. Ezmie tends to operate by her own rules and schedule.”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “Oh, we’re aware. Just tell her Rankor has come and she’ll get her ass moving.”
Ayanna lifted a pointed brow. “Your name inspires that much fear in her?”
I gave her my best smirk. “My name inspires that much excitement.”
It was a lie. Ezmie hated me as much as she hated... well, everyone. I had always been surprised by how much venom that girl could hold in her small, seven-year-old body, and she had certainly never spared me from her wrath. But the white lie was worth it to see the flicker of disgust in Ayanna’s gaze.
“Very well,” the Headmaster said, setting aside the parchment in order to bring the tea to his lips once more. “We will send for the girls, and the three of them can leave at once.”
Kent nodded his thanks. “Thank you, we—”
“Three?” I barked.
We were here for two princesses and two princesses only.
The Headmaster only nodded. “Ezmie and Myla are still young. They both have much to learn, and I imagine your destination is home to many other displaced children who need a proper education. Here at the institute, we make a vow to provide scholarly advisement to those who seek ourservices and to those whoneedour services. I see no greater need than at a time like this.”
