Tethered by Blood by Jane Beckstead

Author:Jane Beckstead [Beckstead, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: young adult magic wizard girl dressed as boy
Publisher: Jane Beckstead
Published: 2018-05-28T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

A few days later while I should have been studying in the library—but really I was helping Ivan to sight read simple words in the primer—a commotion overtook the entrance hall. I glanced up. After a moment or two of debate, I stepped out of the room. Standing there in the main hall, back to me as he conversed with the master, was Matthias Kurke.

Blast my curiosity. I took a cautious step backward.

“—brings you by? Is this a social call or official Conclave business?”

“Social. Just wanted to stop by and see how you and the underwizard are doing. And Oscar, of course.”

I eased another step backward. Bones. What was he doing here, really doing here? I had nothing new to report. I hadn’t seen Oscar in at least three weeks, and the master knew as much as I did.

“Grandfather’s taken flight, as he often does. Been away for several weeks now. I imagine he’ll turn up soon, as he always does.”

I turned around and hurried the other way.

“Several weeks? That doesn’t worry you?”

“Maybe it would, if it were anyone else. Oy, underwizard.”

I stopped and then turned around. Master Wendyn motioned me closer. I had no choice but to join them.

“Good day, Master Kurke.” I gave a short bow. “A pleasure to see you again.”

“Mullins. You’re looking well. How goes the studying?”

“He’s making great strides,” Master Wendyn supplied. “If he can just keep from putting anyone’s eyes out at the next trial, I’ll count it a success.”

I frowned, but when I looked at the master’s face, he was smiling. Was he teasing me?

“It’s water magic,” I reminded him. “If you’re worried about anything, it should be drowning.”

“Good point. In that case, I’ll think about supplying the judges with a rowboat, as a precaution.”

“And what about for you?” I asked.

“Oh, I know how to swim.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Well. You two seem to be getting along,” Kurke observed.

"I think we understand each other better these days." Master Wendyn ran a hand over the growth of beard on his chin. "And it doesn’t hurt that the underwizard can scrub stains out of any fabric."

"Stains?" Kurke repeated, and I could feel the heat creeping up my face. "Do you mean washing?"

Did he have to mention that?

“Mullins is a whiz with cleaning clothes. He’s been keeping my closet in fine shape.”

“You realize there are cleaning spells you can use to do that, right?”

“Nothing takes the color out of fabrics quicker than a cleaning spell. You can’t replace a good washerwoman.”

Kurke made a choking noise, and I glared at Master Wendyn.

“Oh, don’t look at me like that, Mullins. I’m teasing. Can’t I tease you?”

“I wish you wouldn’t.” Stiffness had crept into my voice. “I’m not a washerwoman.”

“Very well. You are good at what you do, though. Take pride in it.” He turned to Kurke. “Will you meet me in the drawing room? I need to speak with the underwizard for a moment.”

For a moment, I thought Kurke would say something else, but then he gave a shrug and shot a scrutinizing glance at me.

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