Page 113 of On Wings of Blood

I shook my head. I hadn’t thought about it. I supposed the school would be almost empty over the break. But that didn’t bother me. I’d enjoy the quiet.

“I’ll be here at Bloodwing, yes. And that would be great,” I said with relief. “Thank you, Professor.”

Out in the hall, I had only one thing to say.

So, is there something you want to tell me?I asked my mother.

She sighed.I did try to tell you.

No, you didn’t,I argued. I thought back.When?

The other day, she reminded me.In the hall. Just before we were so rudely interrupted.

I tried to remember.You said you made changes.My heart sped up.What kind of changes?

Well, Classical Sangrathan for one. You can read it.

It’s just the Old Tongue,I said immediately.The ancient language of Aercanum.

You were tutored in the Old Tongue, were you?Her tone was sardonic.

Well, no,I admitted.Not that I can recall.

I was. I grew up speaking it. Reading it. Classical Sangrathan is the Old Tongue, with a few slight variations. The text you found in your professor’s office was a very old one. Older than your school mottos.

That’s why it took me a moment to be able to understand it,I replied.

Yes. We were both... processing what you saw.

Will I still be able to read Classical Sangrathan when you’re... gone?I asked.

I have no idea. That’s an excellent question.

What other things have you done to me?I demanded.What changes have you made?

I haven’t done anything intentionally. Consider this more like... spillage,she said.

Spillage?My back went up.I donotlike the sounds of that.

I’m seeping into you,she said. Her voice was almost tired.I try not to, but I can feel it happening. A little bit more every day.

I thought for a moment.Does it hurt? Is the same happening to you? Am I seeping into you, I mean?

It doesn’t hurt, no. Thank you for asking.Her voice was tender.I’m not sure. It’s hard to tell. You have far fewer life experiences than I do. Far fewer skills.

Well, thanks,I said sarcastically.No need to remind me.

This could be a good thing,she said.Maybe something of me will be useful to you. Like the Classical Sangrathan.

She was right about that, I had to admit.

I think I’ve found the right ritual,I told her, the excitement I’d felt slowly returning.You saw the text?

I did. Thank you for letting me see it. But I think you’re forgetting it’s on a shelf in your professor’s office. Rather out of reach for the moment.

For the moment,I said.But now that I know where it is, we can get to it. I’ll come up with a plan.

Things were coming along. It wasn’t hopeless. Not anymore. I’d get the book, even if I had to break in during the dead of night and steal it.

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