Arlon winces. “You’re right. I don’t like that answer. Though I can’t fault your pragmatism. Planning for even the worst contingencies will do you well in this position.”
I keep my eyes resolutely on the ceiling as a weighted silence descends. So many of mine and Arlon’s conversations lately have been so... official. It’s nice to talk to him just as Arlon again, rather than the Grandmaster.
“Why did you ask Reneta to apprentice?” I ask at last.
Arlon sighs, one hand lifting to drag his hair away from his forehead. “I asked Reneta because I thought I had no other options.”
I turn to face him even as dregs of the anger and resentment I thought I had left behind bubble up. “What aboutme? Why wasn’t I an option? Why did I have to askyouto apprentice?”
Arlon turns to me, his expression pained. “I don’t think you’ll like my answer.”
“Try me.”
Some of the weariness left over from last night settles across his face. “Before the Tower, it was because the thought of appointing two people from the same family would be viewed as nepotism. After the Tower, it’s because I think convincing the King to appoint the sister of a known traitor is going to be near impossible.”
It feels like a punch to the stomach. I swear quietly as I raise a hand to cover my eyes. The redemption of my entire family rests on thisone thing, and even Arlon thinks it’s a losing task.
“Well,” I say before I turn to bury my face back against his chest. “I look forward to proving you wrong.”
Arlon’s arms surround me again. “And if anyone can, it’s you.” He falls quiet, but his fingers feel nice as they rub the back of my neck. He pulls me from my comfortable haze as he says, “I have my reservations about Reneta.”
I glance up, eyebrow raised. “Oh?”
Arlon rubs his face. His beard has gotten long to the point of being scruffy. I’ll have to convince him to let me trim it before we head to the palace tomorrow. “She was... close with your sister. The enchantment I used to interrogate her erased the fears I had of her involvement with Demica and Diran’s dealings, but that doesn’t change the fact that she was your sister’s apprentice for nearly two years.”
“You’re afraid she might still have some loyalty to her,” I say. “That there may be a conflict of interests we’re not seeing.”
Arlon sighs. “Exactly that.”
“How far out do you think they are?” I ask. The Crown had graciously allowed for a few months travel for them before they would be considered traitors, but that time is rapidly drawing to a close.
“Hopefully not far,” he says. “They still have time, but the last thing we want is for them to miss their arrival window with Captain Thora breathing down our necks.”
“Banish the thought,” I mutter before I turn to look at him. “Thank you for today.”
Arlon hums, one arm draping around my shoulder. “We needed it. Let’s enjoy the break while we can,doldora.”
The unsaid hangs in the air between us. Because tomorrow, we go and speak to the King.
Visions
Magic is built on a foundation of trust. If you cannot speak freely about how you are feeling, you must come to terms with the reason you feel the need to stay silent. Keeping your fears and insecurities to yourself will only allow them to grow unchecked.
Fundamentals of Magic by Eroland Lockhart
AFTER I CAME TO THEMin a panic yesterday, Olbric and Cancassi seem to be doing everything they can to keep me occupied. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t grateful, because the promise of a busy day keeps me from going too deep into my own head. Olbric and I meet up with Cancassi at breakfast, and they already have a whole morning planned for the three of us that includes a trail ride before heading into town to get lunch from Mabel’s pie shop.
“Areyouplanning on sleeping today?” I ask.
“Once we’re back from lunch,” Cancassi says, waving a careless hand. “If I don’t rest up before my date with Ambra tonight, I’m going to regret it.”
“Which means I’ll have the full privilege of tiring you out,” Olbric says brightly. “It seemed to work well last night.”
“Hmm, if the cost of a solid night’s sleep is getting fucked to oblivion and back, I’ll pay it,” I chuckle.
Olbric’s eyes are full of mischief as he says, “So I get to tie you up and tease you to madness two whole nights in a row?”
I drain the last sip of tea from my mug, trying to cool the heat that’s bloomed in my gut. “Bet paddling your ass red would tire me out just as well.”
