Free Daughter of the Disgraced King by Meredith Mansfield Page B

help you guide that flow.” She looked with
mock sternness at Ailsa. “For example, that vine we used at your testing yesterday
is supposed to have orange flowers, not pink. Working with its nature is
both easier and less damaging to the plant.”
    Ailsa’s shoulders drooped slightly. “I . . . we didn’t study
much of what you’d call real science about plants. Just the names of some of
the most important ones and where they grow. I used to help the gardeners some,
when I was little. Mama hasn’t let me do that since I turned twelve, though.”
    “Well, then. We’ll start at the beginning. Jathan isn’t that
far ahead of you.”
    “Or I could just study on my own for a bit,” Jathan said. “Maybe
go out and try a little practical application.”
    Grandmama smiled but shook her head. “You needn’t be in such
a rush. The review won’t do you any harm.”
    Jathan sat back. For once he wasn’t smiling.
    Grandmother turned to Ailsa. “Jathan tends to be a little
impatient with the book work. Something, as I recall, you’ve always excelled at,
Ailsa. You two should be able to help each other with your studies quite a bit.”
    ~
    When Grandmama closed her book after their class the next
day, Ailsa stood up and pulled on her brand new student robes. The open,
sleeveless, full-length robe of grass green proclaimed her a green-mage-in-training
even if she didn’t have very much green clothing yet.
    “Where do you think you’re going?” Grandmama asked.
    “I have . . . um.” Ailsa paused to check the schedule of classes
that Grandmama had written out for her yesterday afternoon. “Um, History of
Magic in about an hour. I thought I’d go over to the Institute now and explore
some of the gardens on the way.”
    Grandmama tapped her fingers on the cover of the book. “I
don’t think that’s such a good idea. I don’t want you wandering around alone.”
    Ailsa jerked up to her full height. Out of the corner of her
eye, she spotted Jathan leaning back in his chair and watching them through
narrowed eyes. Ailsa felt a flush creep up her cheeks. Why was Grandmama
suddenly treating her like a child? “I’ve never needed to be accompanied
everywhere before.”
    “There was never a reason to worry about a direct attack on
you before.”
    Ailsa snorted. “There isn’t now. The man from the stage was just
a chance meeting.” A very unfortunate chance meeting.
    Grandmama waved her hand in the air. “That’s not what I
mean. After my talk with the Master of the Institute yesterday, he and I agreed
that there’s evidence that someone—likely King Ewart—has been interfering with
the mails. He never received those letters you say your mother sent. The only
motive we can think of for that is to suppress information about how mages are
currently treated in Far Terra and which barons are the worst offenders. If
that’s so, then there is now another source of that information here in
Terranion—you. It’s possible that King Ewart might have agents here who would
try to . . . silence you.”
    Ailsa swallowed hard. “He wouldn’t . . .” She trailed off,
not really sure what King Ewart might not do.
    “The master and I judge it possible,” Grandmama said with a
nod. “For now, at least, we both think it’s better if you don’t go about alone.”
    “But—”
    “I’ll go with her,” Jathan said. “As first years, we’ll have
most of the same classes anyway. And it’s not very far out of my way to come
here first and to bring her back. I doubt even King Ewart’s agents would want
to attack me openly.”
    Grandmama smiled at him. “I think that’s a very good idea.
Thank you Jathan.”
    ~
     Savyon played with a pen from his desktop as he scanned his
second letter from Ailsa for the third time. It was short and almost
impersonal. The briefest mention of missing him. Almost perfunctory. He was
glad that she’d arrived safely after her frightening experience, but he could
wish that she’d at least