Of Blood and Tides by Camilla Tracy

Author:Camilla Tracy [Camilla Tracy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pudel Threads Publishing
Published: 2023-11-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Thali barely paid attention to her classes, impatient as she was for school to be done for the day, just as many of the merchant students were. Her birthday had dawned unusually warm, and they were all antsy and dying to dive into the lake they’d found in their first year. Every leg in the room bounced and every hand fidgeted as Master Kelcian reviewed the details and advantages and disadvantages to the different sizes of vessels commonly used by merchants. Eventually, he took one last look around the room, glanced at the clock, and sighed. He silently waved the class out, letting all the third-years out early to enjoy their celebration.

Off they all ran, whooping and hollering all the way to the lake. Startled birds took flight and frightened animals ran for cover, but Thali sent them happy, calming thoughts. Finally reaching their special lake and dumping their book bags by the trees, they peeled off their boots and leather vests and coats.

Stefan cleared his throat as Thali jumped up and down on one foot while pulling a boot off.

“Is something the matter, Stefan? Do guards not swim?” Thali looked up, falling against the tree trunk as she struggled with her boot.

“We cannot secure the lake, my lady. And I’m not sure how appropriate it is for you to be swimming with other gentlemen,” Stefan said.

Thali dropped her foot, finally freeing it from the boot. Stefan had never spoken directly about what she should and shouldn’t do, so it came as a surprise to hear him voice his opinion on her propriety.

“Thali, get in here! I need you on my team! Milo has Alexius!” Daylor shouted as she spoke with her four guards.

“And what do you think?” Thali turned to Amali, Derk, and Khadija.

Amali and Derk looked at their feet. Khadija was the only one to answer. “My job is to protect you. My opinion is not necessary for me to perform my duty.” She watched as a muscle in Stefan’s jaw flexed.

Thali rolled her eyes. She could feel the sweat dripping down her spine as the day got hotter with every passing moment. She stood with her hand on her hip, lips pursed for a moment, wondering whether she was blindly heading into some kind of scandal. “Thank you, Stefan, for offering your advice in this matter, but I am not yet a princess and these gentlemen and ladies are my friends and not unknown to Elric.”

She quickly peeled off her other boot and then decided to leave her canvas vest on. Surely that would suffice for propriety’s sake. Shaking off her coat, she ran over to the lake to join her friends. Thali didn’t turn back to see her guards’ faces, and though she hoped Elric wouldn’t actually be mad at her, she knew this might be one of her last opportunities to act freely. Feeling the cage walls starting to come down, she leaped free of them and into the lake, splashing all her friends.

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