“Thank you,” I offer as he closes me into my new room.
Silence blankets me, and I look around again until my eyes find my few possessions laid for me on the small table next to the bed.
The teacup, with a selection of fresh flowers, decorates the plain room. I wonder if I’ll have to replenish those now that Kyra won’t be here. I always let them dry out back home, but Kyra always captured something colourful in them. She’s arranged the pebble and brooch neatly next to the cup.
My collection.
And on the bed, the books I still hadn’t returned to the off-limits library.
And I know what I’ll be doing for the rest of the evening.
eighteen
. . .
Ever
I’d been studying these books for days before my Transference, but I was reading with no direction, aimlessly pulling information together and looking for anything and everything. Now, my scouring was for a five-letter word that, as it turns out, is like looking for a specific leaf in the forest—plenty of words around, but not the right one.
It was like the word didn’t exist in these pages.
But people knew what it was, or they wouldn’t be looking at me with such suspicion.
It wasn’t new.
Fifth.
No clear explanation of what magic I possess.
As my mind struggles to absorb all the lines of information, I start to wonder about the powers of the Orders and whether there is more to them or if they could be added to like spells?
My grumbling tummy interrupts me, and I know I can’t avoid the food hall for much longer.
Everyone will be there. Before the Transference, there had been a tentative acceptance from some, although I still didn’t know all the trainees. Hopefully, that might change now that I’m living here—no more special treatment.
Friends are something I didn’t have many of. Living where we did, alone and outside of the village, meant that Lyle and I mainly kept to ourselves. We didn’t have neighbours, just regular patrons who might visit to pick up things and trade their wares in return.
Thinking back over the aspects of my life with the new information from Kirrasia, I struggle to understand why we didn’t live in Osanor or Nestegarth. Did Lyle keep me hidden on purpose? We would have been better off closer to people. I shove the thought away, not ready to consider Lyle’s actions as anything other than those of the caring woman who raised me. I can dissect my past another day.
Now I have to brave what’s just down the hall. Perhaps a new opportunity for friends?
I ease out of my room, check the hallway, and listen for anyone already walking on the flagstones, but it’s empty. So, I head in the direction of the aromas and muffled voices and find dinner is still in full flow.
Everyone stills as I walk in, conversations quieting, and heads swivelling.
Two tables are occupied, a familiar split of trainees on each side. The fire roars in the hearth, and I wonder if it burns all through the night and every day of the year.
Trying to be quick, I head to the small servery area. This is my first dinner as a trainee here, escorted back to the apartments to eat until my Transference. At lunch, there had been platters of cold cuts, fruit and cheese for us laid out on the tables. Now, roast meats, dishes of vegetables and fresh bread are on offer.
Hearty food. Good food.
I’ve been building my appetite these last few weeks but still fight with the concept of plenty. There is so much here.
My fork spears a slice of meat, and I add beans and carrots to my plate before grabbing a warm roll that smells of yeast and early mornings and everything I’ve associated with the comforts of home.
My throat constricts as my mouth waters, and I pull a shuddery breath in before turning to look out at the dining room and scanning the tables.
Ten’s sitting in his usual position, with Calix at his side. No Crimson. I recognise the others but can’t remember their names or Orders. Now I’m here, hopefully, that will change.
