Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 134898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 540(@250wpm)___ 450(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 540(@250wpm)___ 450(@300wpm)
“It’s sweet of you to worry, but it isn’t necessary. I’m not sleeping with anyone,” I say primly. I’m not averse to sex. Sex is amazing. But I don’t want a reputation that I’ve slept my way into the guild. I haven’t touched anyone since that day with Raptor. I open my mouth to tell her there’s no way I can be pregnant…
…and then I stop.
Because I’ve not had my period. Not in two months. Granted, I’ve skipped for a month or two before because of stress, and it’s certainly been stressful lately.
I also had sex with a Taurian recently.
A notoriously virile Taurian.
Who has a knot outside of the Conquest Moon. Does that mean he’s fertile outside of it, too?
Oh gods. Am I pregnant? On top of everything else?
I want to run out of the room and throw up, but I don’t know if that’s nerves or morning sickness. Digging my fingers into my palms, I offer Aspeth a tight smile. “I’m good, but thank you. Master Jay has us all bunking in the same room to build companionship, so it’s not as if I’d have time alone with him.”
“He does? Ew.” She wrinkles her nose, which causes her spectacles to slide down.
“He does,” I agree, voice firm to hide my trembling. “And on that note, I should probably return before someone starts looking for me. I’m supposed to be helping out with laundry to earn a few coins.”
It’s a lie, because I’m refusing to touch any sort of chore out of fear that someone will catch me. But it sounds like something I’d do, and it’ll give me an excuse to leave. I drop the cat out of my lap and give Sparrow a hug, because she’s obsessed with hugs now.
Then I quickly exit back onto the cobbled roads of Vastwarren. The bustle of the afternoon streets feels like a relief. I take a deep breath, closing my eyes and letting the city’s stink wash over me.
It doesn’t help.
What am I going to do if I’m mucking pregnant?
Twelve
Raptor
Gents,
One of the fledglings here is being very secretive. My suspicions are aroused. Will update when I learn more.
—R
PS—You’re lucky I’m such an ingratiating sort.
Fledgling Gwenna,” Master Jay says in a sharp voice as we line up for the day’s training. “Tell me, what is the shop behind the fishmonger’s stall on the docks? The one with the anchor on the sign?”
The look on Gwenna’s face is utterly blank, and I almost feel sorry for her. I’m tempted to give her the answer—the moneylender—but if I do, Master Jay will shit himself. He’s a teacher unlike many others, in that he feels the best thing a fledgling can learn is self-sufficiency. It’s an admirable thing to teach in a guild that values teamwork, because I’ve been saddled with terrible teammates far too often.
This is one of Jay’s favorite ways to dole out lessons, too. He asks about something benign, and if you don’t have the right answer, he knows what area of expertise you’re lacking. Can you read this map? No? Then you get to spend the day redrawing the map until you’re familiar with everything on it. Do you know the Old Prellian symbol for below? If not, you need to spend the day brushing up on the most common Prellian glyphs that an artificer will run into. Do you know the layout of Vastwarren City like the back of your hand? No? Then you’re going to walk the streets with a heavy pack on your shoulders until you do.
Poor Gwenna has borne the worst of Master Jay’s tasks. She doesn’t know Prellian symbols. She’s never first on an obstacle course. She’s unfamiliar with a lot of Vastwarren. She’s not great at anything physical, and that’s me being generous.
She composes herself after a moment and then pins a smile to her face. “I don’t know what’s there, Master Jay. Shall I get my pack?”
“Yes. Find the building behind the fishmonger. Then write me a list of all the buildings along the two closest streets and what times they are open. Wear your loaded pack at all times, and if you take it off, I’ll be informed of it.”
“Yes, Master.” She moves away from the breakfast table, heading across the dorm to get one of the training packs near the front door.
Master Jay stops in front of Hemmen. “Prellian symbol for ‘danger’?”
Hemmen rubs his bulbous nose and thinks for a moment. “It’s a bird, upside down with the feet in the air.”
The correct answer. Master Jay grunts. “You’ll be on the obstacle course today. I want you to practice the current setup, running it repeatedly. Kipp will be at your side to run it with you. Do you think you can do the course blindfolded, Kipp?”
The slitherskin taps his hand over his heart twice, a quiet affirmation.