Occasionally, I heard a subtle whistling sound and a murmured Floracantus as Kaito worked miracles with steam, but otherwise, we walked in companionable silence.
When we got back to campus, two other pairs were gathered near Professor Variegata just inside the gate. One pair was finishing eating, and when they got a nod of approval from Professor Variegata, they walked back toward the academy.
Kale Brightmoor was standing back and slightly off to the side from Professor Variegata, watching each student carefully.
“All right, Nori and Graham, go ahead,” Professor Variegata said to the second pair.
The first-year student Nori held a basket that was brimming with acorns and nuts. She began murmuring a Floracantus that I vaguely recognized from my time working with the harvesters last year. Graham rotated the basket slightly in a rocking motion as Nori spoke.
Nori ran the acorns through her hands, and they ground down into flour then congealed and formed two small muffins. A moment later, Nori and Graham presented the muffins with a side of nuts.
“Impressive,” Professor Variegata said. She turned to us. “Kaito and Briar, what did you forage?”
“Mushrooms and blackberries,” Kaito said. “Cooked and ready.”
He held out the basket for Professor Variegata to examine, and when she nodded, each of us reached for a mushroom to taste. Even without any butter or seasonings, Kaito’s on-the-fly preparation was mouth-watering.
“Who prepared the mushrooms?” Kale Brightmoor asked.
“Kaito did,” I said.
“Briar found them,” Kaito said kindly.
“How so? Mushrooms are fungi, and we don’t usually sense them,” Kale Brightmoor said.
Between the sharp curiosity in his voice and what Kaito had said a few minutes earlier, I had the instinct to bite my tongue. I cast a glance at Kaito. “It was a lucky find. I spotted one near the base of a tree, and there were a dozen more nearby.”
Kale’s brow furrowed slightly, but he let it go and turned to watch the next group of students who had returned with their basket.
“Wise choice,” Kaito said as we walked away. “Don’t give them more fuel than they already have to fight over you.”
“Thanks fornot saying anything,” I said.
“It’s always best not to show all your cards.” There was something in his voice that indicated he wasn’t only referring to not telling Kale Brightmoor about me being able to sense the pH in the soil.
“Enjoy your autumn equinox, Briar. I have a feeling we’ll be working together again soon.”
Chapter Twelve
“How did your task with the harvesters go?” Yasmin asked as we settled at the long table in the forest. Leaves were floating by overhead, ferrying tiny gleaming candles.
The grand jacaranda tree was lit by the sunset, its leaves a brilliant yellow. I was still a little bummed that I had missed out on the fantastical bloom on midsummer, but I had to appreciate that it was stunning today too.
“It was fine. I paired up with Kaito. Our conversation was interesting, though. He mentioned that a separation of affinities has been brewing outside of the school. Have you heard anything about that?”
“There have been some stirrings among the ferns, from what I’ve heard. I didn’t think it would trickle into the academy. With the board getting involved with this autumn equinox activity, though… something feels off,” Yasmin said.
“My parents were talking about potential changes within the society of magical botanists this summer, and I wonder if this is related to that,” Aurielle said.
“Callan was hinting at this even lastyear,” I said. “He was hoping it would get resolved at the midsummer gathering, but I don’t think it did.”
“Historically, the board being too involved in the school hasn’t boded well. We can’t be innovative with too many competing interests trying to have a say, you know?” Yasmin said.
“Kaito didn’t seem too happy about it,” I said.
“Well, I can’t say any of us would be happy to have drastic changes made to the school while we’re here. Not only would it impact our personal experiences, but societal norms and cross-affinity connections are developed here. Only those already in positions of power would benefit from any kind of splintering,” Coral said.
“Is there some way we can make our voices heard? Are Board of Regents meetings open to the public?”
