“Thanks. I…” just wish I could fix it.
Whatever ‘it’ is.
Chapter Seven
“Mister Thistlewood, please remain after class.” Master Arel spoke in his typical soft, airy voice.
I glanced at Sephimara, who flashed a nod in goodbye, her lips pressed in a thin smile. Pain? Regret? Sadness?
I had no guesses what the mage faculty adviser wanted with me, nothing in his gaze or tone gave the slightest hint, but a sinking feeling in my gut told me it wouldn’t be to inform me I’d been gifted a subscription to Caerwick Confectioners pastry of the month club.
The classroom door thunked shut with finality as the last student exited.
“How may I be of assistance, Master Arel.” A nice rhubarb tart wouldn’t be amiss.
He stared at me a long moment before picking up a paper from the black marble surface of his desk.
Yup. Definitely not pastry related.
“There has been another complaint against you, Mister Thistlewood.”
I’d heard nothing further from House Greanderalsince the first week and thought the matter was closed.
“What am I alleged to have done?” I left off the ‘this time.’
“Theft. The city and this institution strive to maintain a safe, orderly environment, and therefore takes such accusations most seriously.”
I fought the urge to clench my fists, instead breathing slow, measured breaths. “No one from House Greanderal attends the academy, their palace is a considerable distance, and presumably well-guarded.”
“Indeed it is.” Master Arel raised an eyebrow.
“How and when am I supposed to have stolen something from them?”
“The complaint is from a fellow student, Aldyr Balmenor. He apparently demanded to search your room in the dormitory.”
That guy.
Breathe. Slow, controlled breaths.
“As a fellow student, his rights, and the weight of his complaint is rather different than a non-student, regardless of how powerful their house may be.”
Yoi had mentioned a connection the other night. But what did they want? I was literally a nobody in elven society.
“Fine. What am I alleged to have stolen from him?”
“That is whyweare discussing the matter, Mister Thistlewood. He refused to say, only stating that it wasa highly personal item.”
Oh, that’s convenient. And denies me even the slightest clue what’s really going on.
That lousy lump of lindworm leavings. I could just see myself pounding his smug face the next time I saw him.
And getting expelled shortly thereafter.
Slow breaths.
“I value my position here at the academy, and would gladly consent to yourself or another academy official inspecting my dormitory room to allay any concerns. I have nothing to hide.”
Master Arel stood, strode softly to the window, and gazed out. “Therein lies the conundrum, Mister Thistlewood. If Aldyr Balmenor is unwilling to provide us with the item’s description, we are not able to search for it, are we now?”
