Glass Collection: Storm Glass / Sea Glass / Spy Glass. Maria V. Snyder

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      “But what about my apprentice classes and studies?” Her eyebrows spiked up in impish delight. “Besides daily self-defense, weapon and equestrian practice, this is your studies.”

      As I hurried from the Masters’ meeting room, I thought about the classes I no longer had to attend. Would I miss the sessions with the Professors and my fellow apprentices? Every school day for the last four years, I had two morning classes followed by lunch. The afternoon activities included weapons and self-defense training with the Master of Arms, and an extra-long history class. Learning Sitian history spanned the entire five-year program. My evenings had been spent studying and practicing the day’s lessons.

      My emotions flipped from relief—no more frustration over what I couldn’t do with my magic and no more accidents—to disappointment—no more hope that another aspect of my power would reveal itself.

      However, the job of purchasing supplies and equipment for a glass workshop thrilled me. This task I could do. No worries, hesitation or doubts. A welcome change of pace.

      Leaving the administration building, I searched for Ulrick. The weak midmorning sunshine tried to warm the air, but we were over halfway through the cooling season, and soon the dreary dampness of the cold season would dominate. First morning classes had ended. Students filled the campus pathways. Clustered in groups or hurrying to another building, they had a half-hour break before the start of the second sessions.

      Intent on finding Ulrick, I sailed past the others not bothering to note their moods. I found him outside the guest quarters surrounded by a gaggle of senior girls. Hanging back, I waited for the group to disperse, but Ulrick spotted me. He excused himself and joined me.

      “What’s the plan for today?” he asked with a smile.

      I filled him in on the details of my meeting with Zitora. Even with students walking past and calling out hellos, he gave me his full attention. Although my sense of importance died when Pazia Cloud Mist bumped into me.

      “Sorry,” she said with a tone implying she was anything but.

      A fellow apprentice, Pazia’s powers were impressive enough to cause speculation on whether or not she possessed Master-level magic. Knowing her, I didn’t doubt she would demand the Master-level test. She had taken an instant dislike of me the moment we met at the beginning of our first year. And she always seemed to be a witness to my most disastrous efforts, including my latest goof of burning her with hot wax.

      “I know I didn’t interrupt anything vital,” Pazia said. “Ulrick, do you need me to rescue you from the One-Trick Wonder?”

      “Excuse me?” He looked at her in confusion.

      Normally, I would ignore her snide remarks, but not this time. “You did interrupt us. I suggest you get to class before you’re cited for tardiness.”

      Anger flared in her olive-colored eyes. “You’re going to be late, too. Especially if I set your clothes on fire.”

      A valid threat. Pazia was known for her temper. I should have backed down and kept my mouth shut, but I didn’t. Perhaps the sais around my waist gave me a feeling of empowerment.

      I laughed. “Set fire to my clothes? How first year. Pazia, you really should be setting an example for the younger students not fires. But if you must show Ulrick how petty you can be …” I held my arms out with a weary patience. “Go ahead.”

      16

      INSTEAD OF IGNITING my shirt, Pazia pressed her lips together in annoyance. “You’re not worth my time.” Turning her back on me, she rushed away.

      “You called her bluff,” Ulrick said.

      “She’ll make me regret it.”

      “How?”

      “By spreading lies and ugly rumors about me to her friends.”

      “Why would you care?”

      I paused. Why would I care? It wouldn’t change anything.

      “She’s a student, one of many,” he said. “You work with a Master Magician. Liaison Yelena is your friend.”

      Ulrick’s comment sounded logical, but just because I knew and worked with respected magicians didn’t mean I deserved the same honor. I had to earn my place. Unfortunately with my limited magical abilities, all I’d earned from my classmates was contempt. And a few of them, like Pazia, even thought I had betrayed Sitia by pricking Yelena with Curare.

      “Let’s get started with this list,” I said. “We should order the kiln supplies first.”

      “Is there a brick merchant in the Citadel?”

      The Citadel had been built with marble, so I doubted there were many brick factories nearby. “Probably not, but I know who to ask.”

      “It’s about time,” Aydan said. The glassmaker had put us to work as soon as we entered his shop. “They should have built you a kiln years ago.”

      Ulrick pulled the cooled pieces from the annealing oven. He inspected my seashell. “I agree. Your magic glass is important to the magicians. You should have demanded your own shop.”

      I was just glad to be a student at the Keep. The thought of requesting special treatment seemed alien. Plus, coming to Aydan’s had always been a good excuse to get away from my classmates. Not wanting to explain to Ulrick, I asked, “Would you demand kiln time from your mother to work on your pieces?”

      He considered. “No. I see your point.”

      “And I see two people standing around doing nothing,” Aydan said. “Ulrick, add coal to the kiln. Opal, gather me a slug.”

      We hastened to obey. When the glassmaker had finished his work for the day, he wrote a list of all his suppliers. “Don’t forget you promised to find me a helper.”

      Since a trip to Booruby was required for us to finish our project, I planned to talk to Mara about coming to the Citadel. In the meantime, Ulrick and I agreed to help Aydan in the mornings. The glassmaker would find a temporary assistant for the rest of the day.

      “Don’t you have classes?” Ulrick asked as we left Aydan’s shop and headed toward the market.

      “Not anymore.” A brief pang touched my heart, but when I considered working with Ulrick all day, the empty feeling filled with … What? Happiness? A sense of purpose? Excitement? Perhaps a bit of all three.

      Located in the center of the Citadel, the large open market contained a variety of goods and services for sale. Unlike my hometown of Booruby, where stores were scattered throughout the city, the market had representatives from every business within the Citadel.

      Even Aydan had a stand he shared with five other merchants. One day a week, it was his turn to sell his glasswares at the stand and take orders from customers. It made shopping easy. The biggest problem was the sheer size of the market. Certain vendors were hard to find in the bustle of shoppers.

      Ulrick and I cut down a small alley and entered the market. He paused as СКАЧАТЬ