The Jewel of the Kalderash by Rutkoski Marie

Author:Rutkoski, Marie [Rutkoski, Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fantasy, Young Adult, Historical, Adventure, Science Fiction, Childrens
ISBN: 9780374336783
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Published: 2011-01-01T07:00:00+00:00

24

The Academy

“I’VE HEARD that the Academy beds are draped in velvet,” said Tomik, “and that, in the winter, every student is given a metal box full of coals to place under the covers at the foot of the bed. The bed stays warm all night.”

“Uh-huh.” Petra stared out the carriage window.

“And the Academy food is as good as anything served at court. Roasted pheasant served with quinces. Suckling pigs. Slabs of cinnamon cake. Foamy ginger milk. And imported chocolate. You said you liked Iris’s hot chocolate, didn’t you?”

“Great.”

Tomik looked at Petra, frustrated, and then at the spider on her shoulder. Astrophil was also watching the wintry countryside go by. “And the library. The library is excellent.”

“Eh?” Astrophil perked up.

“So many books.”

“Books?” Astrophil’s green eyes glowed. “You know, I have not read a good book in ages. Do you think they have a copy of Ambroise Paré’s book on medicine? When you hit your head in the woods, Tomik, it occurred to me that I would make an excellent doctor. I could even be a surgeon. Think of how many delicate procedures I could do with my fine, elegant legs. If I can weave a web, I can certainly stitch a wound. It is only a matter of research. And practice.” Astrophil talked on, and the squeaky noise of his chatter let Petra sink deeper into her silent thoughts.

“Petra,” Tomik said.

She shifted, uncomfortable in the fancy traveling dress Iris’s maid had put on her. It pinched. Petra now had a trunk packed with pretty dresses, and vials of dye she and Tomik had to use daily.

“Petra.”

Tomik’s voice was starting to feel like the dress, laying pressure on her in places where she used to feel free. “What?”

“Are you worried that you won’t pass the exam when we get there?”

“No.”

Tomik waited for her to say something more, and when she didn’t, he made an exasperated noise. “Aren’t you even the littlest bit interested in the Academy?”

She kept her eyes on the road, which was snaking up a hill just outside Prague. The driver had told them they would arrive in less than half an hour. She turned to face Tomik. “No,” she said. “And neither are you.”

He stared.

“If you wanted to roll around in wealth and gorge yourself on imported food, you would have done that in the Vatra,” Petra said. “You’re excited because you think you’ll learn something in the Academy. You won’t.”

“You … you think I’m not good enough?”

“You’re too good. Tomik, what makes you think you need someone to teach you how to use your magic? Look at all you’ve done.”

And look at everything you have done, Petra, Astrophil said. He jumped to Petra’s hand, which rested palm up on her knee. She considered him, a treasure in her hand. “Maybe…” she said. “Maybe the things you learn best are the ones you teach yourself.”

“How philosophical.” Tomik’s tone was sharp.

She looked at him, startled. She seemed to smell something bitter in the air.

“Why are you so distant?” he said. “You shut me out.

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