II.i

Almonds and Egg Whites

Archades, the Akademy

Two weeks into a new life of classes in magickal theory she could barely grasp, practical magick that came fairly easily, incomprehensible Remedial Language Skills 1, confusing Remedial History of Archadia 1, and algebraics that weren't all that different from helping Miguelo with the books, and Penelo was eating alone. Kytes had rapidly made friends his own age, but eight year-olds were apparently a lot more accepting than people halfway through their teen years. At meals, Penelo was either accosted by a chattering swarm of children briefly or sat by herself at a table in the corner of the Great Hall for the entire meal, studying her books and her strange Archadian food with equal confusion.


"It's marzipan."

Penelo turned away from the fruit-shaped mystery on her desert plate to find a young boy, dark haired and pale skinned, two or three years older than Kytes smiling up at her in a slightly condescending manner.

"It's almond past, egg whites, and sugar. I looked it up, because it's my favorite," said the boy, seating himself with unusual dignity for a child, even a well-off Archadian child, in the chair next to her. "Are you going to eat it?"

"Uh, no. You can have it," said Penelo. Almonds, a familiar favorite, were tempting, but not mixed with egg whites. Penelo found herself staring at her companion. She hadn't seen this boy before, but that just meant he wasn't one of Kytes's friends. She slid the dessert plate over to him.

"My thanks to you, m'lady," the boy said, then he dug into the false fruit with barely contained enthusiasm.

Penelo snorted. "I'm no lady," she said.

"Anyone," the boy replied, setting down the confection, or what remained of it, "who is willing to give up marzipan is surely deserving of a title." He turned and grinned at her. Penelo giggled slightly, smiling back.

"So," she asked, when the boy was done with the marzipan and trying to lick his fingers without her seeing, "what curriculum are you taking?"

"Oh, I'm not a student. I have a private tutor. I'm just waiting for the guards to find me."

"Wait, what?"

The boy smiled at her again, this time conspiratorially, and Penelo realized that his previous smiles had been those of a much older person, but not this one. "It's a game I play," he said. "I run from Judge Rakans, and he and the guards try to find me." The boy stood. "I must be going now. I'm like to set a new record if I keep moving. Goodbye, m'lady."


"... and let us pray," said Brother Picannal, the monk who lead the weekly services that all students were required to attend, "for the swift return of Lord Larsa Ferrinas Solidor, missing these past three days..."