I clenched my eyes shut. Of all the variations of my name, ‘Teddy’ was my least favorite. Which I had pointed out to Cleggs several times.
Sighing, I forced my eyes open. “Tired is how it’s going. Geomagic is really kicking my butt.” I cocked my head. “It’s a required first-year class, isn’t it? Or are you taking it next semester?”
“Nah.” He waved a hand at me. “I tested out of it. I’m in advanced geomagic.”
“Serious?”
“I’m a gnome who’s grown up in a mining town. Gimme a little credit.”
I shook my head. “Fair.”
He cracked open a book—an actual textbook this time.
“So why did you want to know about Lady Araz-niros… the other day?”
“I didn’t. But it sounds likeyoudo. Heading to the hold of the ship for a bit of privacy, were you?”
“The ship was sinking.”
“Good point, never much a fan of the quickie myself.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “So this nickname… Blade Baroness? What’s it about?”
He slid an ottoman in front of his chair and put his feet up, exposing gold and scarlet striped silken socks. “Some say cutting personality, but her family is famous for blades. Swords, razor blades, even kitchen knives, I think. Though who’s got the money for kitchen knives of crystal flamed steel.”
“Huh.” I gazed at my channeling clock. “I think I’ll finish up in bed. Hey, you know I never seem to see you come to bed. I thought we were supposed to be matched for going to bed early versus staying up late.”
“We’re perfectly matched. I stay up late, and I wanted a roomie who went to bed early. You know, sothey’d be asleep when I bring someone home.”
I shook my head. “Forwhenyou bring someone home.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “You know the old expression. Once you go gnome, you don’t want to go home.”
Pleasedon’t let it be the night before some big exam.
I gathered my things and stood. “Good night, roomie.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll try to avoid picking up anyone who moans too loudly. I havegreatintuition about that sort of thing.”
Chapter Four
Near the end of the second week, Lady Arazniros approached me as I gathered my things at the end of our Basic Magic Constructs class. Most of the class had filtered out, and she stood stiffly in front of me, hands clasped together in front of her waist. “Do you have a moment?”
I packed the last of my tools in a satchel, trying to suppress a reaction as thoughts raced between hopeful and gloomy outcomes. Would her tone soften from earlier brusqueness? Maybe she wanted to explain what I’d done to bother her. “What may I do for you?” I managed to keep my tone even.
“I…” She stared down at me, jaw clenched, eyes blinking slowly. “I would request your assistance, Mister Thistlewood.”
I tapped my thumbs lightly on the desk as I gazed at her. This was beyond unexpected. On the one hand, oddly welcome. I wanted to help… but maybe she would ask to search my possessions for whatever it was that those damn nobles thought I had. Though that too might tell me something. My brother had taught me elves worked in layers upon layers. “Would you?”
She thinned her lips to a line.
I raised a hand. “Stop.” Drawing a long breath, I wished I was better at verbal games. No. I wished I didn’t have to play them with her. “Not to belabor past animosities, but you haven’t embraced my assistance before. It simplysurprisedme.”
She maintained her posture, fidgeting clasped hands slightly. “You are not incorrect. I do not wish to discuss the incident aboard my ship further, if you please. However, you are apparently the most gifted student in our class in basic woodworking.”
I sucked in half a breath as an odd warmth washed over me. She said I’m the most… “Woodworking?” Many simple constructs were made of wood; in fact, wooden housings were one of the foundations of constructing a magical device. “I thought students were supposed to…”
“Have experience with basic constructs prior to admittance? Yes.” Her posture stiffened so much that my own back hurt, her face stifling a flood of emotion. “I most certainly do. However, I focused on magically active components, and used prefabricated housings and armatures. I did not realize we would be expected to construct a complete device.”
