Page 35 of Degradation

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I scouredthe hearthstone with the ragged remains of the bristled brush we’d found. The water ran black with years of soot.

“Here, let me do that,” Eadric said, plucking the brush from my hands.

“I can clean a hearth, Eadric.”

“So can I.”

Garron drew me to my feet and wiped my hands with his tunic.

“We know you can clean,” he said. “But there are other things you can do better that we can’t.”

Darian chortled from the other room.

“Braying ass,” Liam said under his breath.

“Casting,” Garron said forcefully.

“Brandle said it was dangerous to cast here. He made me promise never to do it again,” I said.

“I agree with him and am not asking you to break your promise. I—we—would like you to meet someone. Perhaps you’d like to change?”

I looked down at my torn mourning gown, which I’d deemed the best choice for the aggressive cleaning we’d needed to complete on the home.

“When are we expected?”

“Midday.”

“And you tell me now?”

“I apologize. I didn’t think you would clean the hearth.”

Eadric chuckled. “Nothing is above or beneath our Sparrow. She soars as she wills.”

“I’ll wash and be ready shortly,” I said.

Darian stepped aside for me to climb the freshly cleaned stairs. The air in the house already smelled fresher from all the open windows. Dust still danced in the light, but I knew that would go away with time and more effort.

In my room, a chipped washbowl waited for me. The water was cold from the well, and I heated it without thinking then silently berated myself. Surely, I hadn’t grown so accustomed to using my powers that it had already become a habit, had I?

After washing and changing into my blue gown, I descended the stairs with the still-warm water and handed it to Darian.

“I didn’t intentionally cast,” I said when he felt the bowl.

He nodded, but I felt his concern. Garron’s grew from behind me as well.

“And your well?” Garron asked. “Did you open it?”

“Not fully. It always remains just a touch open now. Nothing that other casters detected. I promise.”

“Good.” He offered me his arm.

“We’ll return in time for dinner,” he said to Darian.

“Oh sure. Have fun cleaning, lads,” Darian grumbled.

Eadric winked at me. He already had soot on his brow.

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