Page 29 of Grave Situation

Master cackles. “I truly am. It’s been a very stressful week and a rotten day, but this has brought sunshine back into my life.”

“I’ll choose your horse myself,” Tia promises. “I swear, it’ll be a gentle one, and I’ll find you a saddle that’s broken in and comfortable.”

That’s sweet, but I know from past experience that even with a broken-in saddle and gentle mount, my ass and thighs and every other muscle in my body will suffer greatly.

“And I’ll get the good tents from the riders’ store,” she adds. “The ones that practically assemble themselves.”

My eyes widen in horror. “Tents?” I whisper. “You mean… sleeping outside? On the ground?”

She exchanges a glance with my master. “I’m sure we’ll be able to find a village with an inn most nights. This is just in case.”

I’d feel better if I didn’t know she was lying.

The councilors reconvene earlythe next morning, just after dawn, but Master and I decided I don’t need to be there. If something comes up that needs my attention, he—or the stone—can let me know.

Master already interrupted my breakfast to advise me that the dean has arranged a meeting in his office for me and the teacher who’ll be taking over my students. Then he interrupted again to let me know that the official announcement would be made to all mages, healers, and dragon riders tomorrow morning—right after our departure. I have permission to give limited information to my students so they’re not taken by surprise when someone new turns up tomorrow.

I refrained from making any comments that could be perceived as offensive to the councilors, thanked my master, and avoided asking if they’d found out who our traveling companion would be. We decided last night not to ask the stone in advance.The last thing anyone needs is another councilor getting huffy that we have access to extra or early information. I don’t really care that much anyway—I’m going to be too busy bruising my posterior and hating my life to chat with whoever’s on the horse next to mine.

Fucking horses. I tried to negotiate for a carriage, or even a wagon, but the stone was adamant. I think it’s just messing with me for its own sadistic pleasure.

I enter the antechamber to the dean’s office. Preet isn’t there, and the door to the office is ajar, so I go over and stick my head in. I don’t have time to waste—my class starts in fifteen minutes.

Preet is sitting in my favorite chair in front of the dean’s desk. The dean, of course, isn’t here—he’s in the council meeting.

“Hey, do you know where the new teacher—” I stop, feeling like an idiot. “You? Oh, thank fuck.” Then, remembering how much I hate teaching, I wince and say, “What I mean is, I’m sorry this is being dumped on you, but?—”

“Shut up, Talon.” She rolls her eyes. “Like I don’t know how important those students are to you. ‘Thank fuck it’s you’ is the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

I don’t think that’s exactly what I said, but the gist is there, so I let it go. Instead, I go to perch on the edge of the dean’s desk. Partly because she’s sitting in my favorite chair, but mostly because he’s not here and I can.

From the way her mouth twitches, I can tell she knows what I’m doing. “Sometimes when he’s not here, I sit in his chair,” she confides.

Hah! I knew it. “You’re going to be fine with my class. Just don’t be afraid to threaten them early. They need to know who’s in charge.”

“I solemnly swear to dangle them over the chasm if necessary. But I think once they learn what’s happening, they’ll fall into line pretty fast.” She shivers. “I regret every single timeI ever said I was bored. I would give anything to be bored right now, instead of preparing for this.”

I nod. “Yep. Get that. At least you don’t have to ride a fucking horse over half the continent because a chunk of rock said you can’t travel any other way.”

“What’s wrong with riding a horse?” she asks, confused.

“So much for any chance of us being friends,” I mutter. “Listen, I have to get to class. I’m not worried about you taking over. It’s a relief. I’ll tell them what I can this morning, and get them started on some of the preparatory exercises for support magic. Do you think you can join us for the last hour? Let me introduce you, then help out as they try it properly for the first time.”

“Yes, no problem. It’ll be good for them to see us work together before you go. I don’t want them to think you’re in disgrace or anything.”

I snort. “That might help. I’m pretty sure half of them would stab me in the back. The other half wouldn’t, but only because they’d want me to see it coming.”

She gives me a strange look, then shakes her head. “You better go. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

When I stepinto the classroom, I’m shocked to see my students sitting silently at their desks, eyes glued to the door. Normally I have to glare at them for a few seconds before they shut up and take their seats. For a second, I wonder if we’re in bigger trouble than we thought, and the zombies are already taking over the City of Knowledge.

No. None of the tales I ever heard mention zombies sitting quietly. Usually they’re killing wantonly.

“Has somebody died?” I ask, checking to make sure there isn’t an empty desk. I should have been notified if there was a serious incident, but sometimes things get missed.

“We want to know what’s going on.” Drey makes the statement with only the barest tremor in his voice. “We know you’re involved. Everyone’s talking about how you were the only apprentice at the council meeting yesterday. And the dragons are upset again. We deserve to know.”

Well. This is… unexpected. For the first time ever, I feel a tiny ray of pride in my students. I squash it down quickly.

---