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Griever: Chapter Three

Griever: Chapter Three

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Chapter ThreeAs it did every year, the first year’s final examination began on the rooftop of Elandir Academy, in full, blinding sunlight. It was always sunny on an examination day, because Professor Rosin, probably both their worst teacher and their most powerful spellsmith, “commanded the sun,” as he liked to put it.Rosin was a little theatrical. What actually happened, Shaeda knew, was that he cast a complex combination of heat and light charms that convinced the atmosphere for several miles around the Academy to behave like it was the sweetest day of the warmest month, even when the neighboring villages were soaked with rain. He only did this for the first year’s examination; the fourth years had to work their magic in the midst of a thunderstorm, or, if they were a particularly difficult class, a blizzard.Sarina, too, had a particular interest in environmental spellcraft. She was good at it; very good, and Shaeda didn’t think Sarina would have any trouble defending herself against whatever Rosin threw at her during her examination. Hopefully, her talent wouldn’t offend Rosin’s pride enough to make things miserable for the rest of her class.“Sura,” Migael was whispering under his breath, waving his hands around in small but wild gestures that Shaeda certainly didn’t recognize. “Suran. Surana!”“You’ve got it all wrong,” Talie hissed. “How are you doing it wrong? That’s the simplest one!”“My hands shake,” Migael shot back. “You know that!”Talie just shook her head at him, but Shaeda took Migael’s hand, traced a small teardrop sign on the back of his middle knuckle, and whispered “Shekra.”Immediately, Migael’s hands stilled, and she watched him take a slow, deep breath.“Thanks,” he whispered. “I, uh … yeah, hoo boy. I needed that.”Talie’s eyes went wide.“Are you serious?” she asked. “We’re allowed to do that before the test? No way!”“Nobody said that we weren’t.” Shaeda shrugged. “It’s not like it’s gonna help him remember spells he never bothered to learn; it’ll just keep him from freaking out. I can do one for you too, if you want.”“Um, no thanks.” Talie looked uncertain. “Just in case it’s against the rules, I think I’ll pass, but … nice work. You’re really good at that one. I’m a little jealous.”Shaeda grimaced. “Thanks. I kind of use that spell a lot.”Ever since she’d been a little girl, Shaeda had used the classic soothing spell to help calm herself on a regular basis. The caretakers at the orphanage hadn’t liked her to get “wound up,” or too overenthusiastic about anything. Most of the time, any excitement on her part had just seemed to make them more tired, which was impressive considering how exhausted they always looked to begin with, so when she’d learned the little calming spell, she’d practiced it until it made her easier to live with.Migael tapped her on the wrist, and when she met his eyes, she could tell that he was really seeing her.“You shouldn’t,” said Migael. “I mean, I think your enthusiasm is very cute. All the guys do.”He flashed her a wicked smile, and Shaeda just raised an eyebrow at him. He winked, and she laughed.At least no one here seemed to get too offended when Shaeda got excited, even if it made the magic just a little bit harder to reign in.“Ew,” said Talie. “Quit flirting.”Migael’s mouth fell open.“Whoa, hang on,” he began. “I’m not!”Ignoring him, Talie walked off to greet a few of her other friends. Migael turned and gave Shaeda an uncomfortable look.“You know I’m not, uh, flirting with you, right?” he asked, looking serious. “I wouldn’t. You’re not … I mean, uh, we’re not … it’s not like that?”Shaeda put a comforting hand on his shoulder.“I know,” she insisted. “And I appreciate it.”“You do?” Migael looked relieved. “Oh, uh, good. That’s great. Because you’re … well, I mean, we’re … uh, listen, actually, I’ve been sort of wanting to talk to you about that. I think we’re-!”“Migael?” A slim young man with shaggy, jet-black hair and unusually pale eyes tapped Migael on the shoulder. “Hello! I think we’re in the same group.”Migael opened and closed his mouth one more time, looked frustrated, and then finally turned his attention to the newcomer.“Oh, hey, Lark.” He gave the young man a small smile. “Shaeda, you ever met Lark Lumley? We’re in the same music lesson. Wait, what’d you say about a group?”Lark smiled brightly at Shaeda, then held out a small piece of paper.“They’ve put us together for the examination,” he repeated. “You, me, and Shaeda. It’s nice to meet you, Shaeda. Migael talks about you all the time.”Migael, who had never mentioned Lark to Shaeda even once, looked a little guilty.“Ladies and gentlemen!” Professor Sharm, acting as head of the Academy while Professor Petwardan was away on an expedition, stepped to the ...
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