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)
“Good. Partner up, then. Hemmen, watch Kipp to ensure he doesn’t remove his blindfold. Kipp, you are to report back to me how many times Hemmen performs the course. I expect no less than fifteen rounds.”
Hemmen’s face falls. He runs a hand through his messy hair and looks as if he wants to protest, but then nods, defeated. “Of course, Master Jay.”
Master Jay gazes at Kipp and they share an unspoken nod. I suspect that Jay is sending Kipp with Hemmen to keep Hemmen busy more than because Kipp needs to work on anything. In a very short period of time, Kipp has quickly become Jay’s favorite. I must admit that the slitherskin is extremely competent for all his small size, but I bet it’s his silence that makes him Jay’s prized pupil. Jay doesn’t like back talk.
That leaves just me and Arrod awaiting tasks for the day. Master Jay strides up to us, his hands behind his back as he eyes his remaining students. He gazes at me before turning to Arrod. “What’s the symbol that marks a Prellian burial chamber?”
Arrod thinks for a moment. “It’s that yellow bird, isn’t it?”
“It is not,” Master Jay bites out sharply. “You will go to the guild library and study Prellian glyphs. I want you to know a hundred basic symbols by the time this month is over. Do you understand me? We are still in the early days, fledgling. I’m still testing your abilities. You must be competent on your own before you can work as a team.”
“Yes, Master. Of course, Master.” Arrod nods, giving Master Jay a quick, respectful bow before turning to leave. I catch a hint of a smile on his face. Lazy shit knows exactly how to work Master Jay already. Something tells me that he did that on purpose.
Well, two can play that game.
Master Jay approaches me. “Is it even worth me asking you if you have the city memorized? Do you know what’s near the riverside docks?”
“I know there’s at least three brothels,” I say. “Do you need their names?”
His face turns a mottled, dark shade. “Get a pack and accompany Gwenna. I don’t want either of you back until you’ve mapped those streets. And take the long way.”
“Yes, sir,” I drawl, pleased.
* * *
Gwenna tries to avoid me, little minx that she is. She races ahead of me on the streets, heavy pack bouncing against her back as she walks as quickly as possible over the cobbled, sloping streets. She’s been avoiding me the last couple of weeks, and I’m not certain if it’s because I annoy her or if it’s because she has things to hide.
The more she tries to avoid me, the more I wonder if she’s the thief who’s been stealing from the guild. But when I picture her working with murderers, I can’t see it. I don’t know what to think. It’d probably be smarter for me to go spend time with Arrod, because he deliberately got out of the more difficult training and seemed pleased about it, but I find myself chasing after Gwenna instead.
She refuses to turn and look at me. “Go away. I’m busy.”
I jog up to her side, an easy thing to do given that her legs are short. “Lucky for you that we’re on the same task.”
Gwenna shoots me a withering glare, but I find her ferocious manner charming. “I don’t see the point of this. We both know that you have this city mapped out in your head. Can’t you go find someone else to bother?”
“I could, but they’re a lot less fun than you. I’m still trying to figure out why you hate me so.”
She marches up the street, huffing as it slopes, and then speeds when we get to a downhill part. After a long moment, she says, “I don’t hate you. I just don’t want anything to get in the way of me becoming an artificer.”
“And you think I’m a distraction? That’s quite the compliment,” I purr.
The little human gives me another glare. “You are a ridiculous male. Now go away so I can work my task.”
“We can work together, if you like. The river docks aren’t all that safe for a decent woman alone.” It’s another reason why I was glad to come with her. The only women who head down to the docks are there to make coins in darkened alleys or brothel beds, and I want to make sure no one bothers Gwenna. Master Jay should have thought of that, but he’s determined to treat her the same as the others in our Five. Which is fantastic…most times. Sometimes he needs to be aware of where he’s sending a young woman alone.
Together, we march along the winding streets for a while longer, and I let her have the walkway while I move through the cobbled roads and dodge carts. It’s some time before she glances over at me again. “Can I just say I don’t see the point of this task? Master Hawk never made us traipse all over the city looking for specific buildings.”