“Mal,” Lorimer said. His voice was calm and, to Rowena’s surprise, almost pleasant, but she thought she detected a hint of steel underlying it. He straightened up from his desk, and smoothed his shirt. “Welcome back to the Broken Quill. I’m afraid I must inform you that guests are not welcome in the library. You’re welcome to wait for service in the front dining room.”

“I’d be waiting a long time if I did that, I imagine,” the woman in the cloak said, stepping on top of the door she’d flattened with her entry.

“How did you do that?” Kieran asked incredulously, staring at the door. The woman showed no signs of having forced it with her own hands, so she must have used an Ability. Her wrist was covered with a beautifully made customized wrap, but no doubt she was a MAGIC USER.

Mal sauntered into the room, running her hands possessively over the books along the wall as she did so. Rowena focused on the dark, swirling cloak the woman wore. Where had she seen one like that before?

“Did the old man claim you’d be instantly Banished for using an Ability? Tsk tsk,” Mal scoffed lightly. “It’s illegal to ban Abilities in Arcania.”

Kieran looked at Lorimer sharply, but the man ignored his plaintive gaze. Lorimer’s own expression was pleasantly bland, and he sighed as a parent might when forced to explain something simple to their exhaustingly inquisitive child. “What do you want, Mallantha? I’m afraid I haven’t the time for a social call at the moment.”

Mal sighed and shook out her short, dark hair. “Always all work.”

With the quick and graceful motion of a cat, she abruptly sat herself down in the single chair that was opposite Rowena and leaned forward.

“Fine,” she said, staring at Rowena intently. “I’ll get right to the point. A little bird told me that a bossy blonde girl forced her way into Arcania last night after the gates were closed.”

“So what?” Kieran said indignantly. “We needed shelter, so we made our way in.”

Mal’s head swiveled and she looked at Kieran curiously, as though truly noticing him for the first time. “Nice eyes,” she said almost too casually.

Kieran blushed slightly, and Rowena realized with chagrin that the woman, probably in her early twenties with fine but proud features, was attractive to him.

I knew those eyes would get us in trouble! Rowena thought nervously.

This woman has some serious power, Cuth agreed. So why would she care about a group of sixteen year olds entering Arcania?

But the woman turned almost immediately back to Rowena and that question was answered. “That same little bird told a tale about a wyvern.”

“I didn’t meet any birds on my journey, so I can’t help you there,” Rowena said archly.

In my day we took creature sightings seriously, I think– I suppose it stands to reason the University would send someone to investigate, Cuth mused.

“Hah,” the woman gave a short exhale, but her eyes stayed fixed on Rowena’s. After a short pause, she shook her head and held up her left arm, pulling the wraps down so that her Sigils were entirely visible.

Rowena recognized the MAGIC USER class and an Enchanter Subclass– darker than she’d expect for the woman’s young age. “I think we got off to the wrong start,” she said. “I’m Mallantha Enchanter.”

Rowena hesitated for only a moment, but then held up her own arm without pulling down the wraps. “Rowena of Tunehlan,” she said with what she hoped was a confident air. Although revealing one’s Sigils was considered a polite thing to do, and a sign of trust, it wasn’t necessary for a greeting.

Mal raised her eyebrow slightly but didn’t comment, to Rowena’s relief. “I work at the University.”

Lorimer let out a cough, and Mal’s mouth twisted.

“I study and work at the University,” she clarified. “Lorimer here used to be one of my professors– before they kicked him out. Such a scandal, that. I was always on your side, you know, old man.”

That’s hard to believe, Cuth thought, and Rowena agreed. She found the woman’s dramatic and cloying demeanor distasteful, but still, this was useful information to have. “And what does a student want with us?” She put a little emphasis on student as though to demean the woman, though the truth was that even students of Arcania University held a higher social rank than pretty much anyone from Tunehlan.

“Only to hear your story about the wyvern,” Mal said lightly, examining her fingernails, which were painted a dark red color that matched her red lips.

“So you believe us!” Kieran said excitedly, leaning forward.

“That,” the woman said with a smile, “remains to be seen. Why don’t you come with me to the University? We’ll give you accommodation far beyond what this ‘inn’ can accommodate.”

Rowena frowned, her suspicions about Lorimer re-ignited. She’d thought it odd that a man of his apparent former stature– Provost of the University, if he was to be believed– would retire to run an inn, and Mal’s insinuation that the place was more– or less– than a proper inn confirmed her thoughts. After all, it was clear from the spartan nature of the other rooms (not that Rowena mind the minimalism) compared to the care and fullness of the library that guests were fairly rare and not this man’s priority.

“I think not. They are my guests,” Lorimer said icily, adjusting his spectacles with one hand.

Kieran looked eager to go with the woman, but looked at Lorimer uneasily. He clearly thought Lorimer could help them, but Rowena felt no particular inclination toward loyalty to the man. He looked down on her for her Class, that much was for certain, and hadn’t made them any real promises of help. Rowena did not particularly like Mal, but they did need to go to the University– both for help with their Classes and to find Damon and have him brought to justice.

Still, that didn’t mean she had to follow Mal like a puppy.

“We’ll come to the University tomorrow,” she said quietly but decisively.

Mal and Lorimer both frowned and everyone spoke at once.

“I don’t think that’s–” Lorimer started.

“I think you’ll find that–” Mal shook her head.

“But we–” Kieran said at the same time as the other two.

“It’s not up for discussion. Lorimer, we’ve already checked in with you,” Rowena pointed out. “And we have the coin to pay for the night’s stay. I’m not waking up Mattie and Sorel to drag them somewhere else new so soon. We– need to rest some more,” she added carefully, unwilling to describe their condition in too much detail.

Lorimer pursed his lips, but said nothing. Kieran looked like he wanted to argue, but realized it was pointless– Rowena was right, Mattie needed all the rest she could get.

Mal frowned for just a moment but then recomposed her face into a friendly expression. “Fine. I understand how it can be on the road– you rest up. Join us for luncheon, if you will– just tell the front gate that you’re guests of Mallantha Enchanter and request an escort.”

She rose as if to take her leave, but Rowena had one more question for her. “Do you know Damon– Damon Conjuror?”

To her surprise, Mal laughed. “Of course I know him. He’s a fool, no matter his family standing. Haven’t seen him in a few weeks, though– he skipped out just before exams and no one has seen him since. Why? Surely you don’t know him?”

“I don’t,” Rowena said as evenly as possible, though her heart began to beat more rapidly. Remembering that Mal had revealed Lorimer’s claim of instant banishment with the use of Abilities was a lie, she indulged in a little Calm Person to keep herself even-keeled.

Calm Person, Activated!

The familiar wave of calm washed over her and she once again felt grateful for this Ability, though using it just reminded her that she had another two Abilities to choose– something she was beginning to feel like she should do before going to the University. Can’t have too many assets on their side, she thought with a sigh.

Rowena ignored Kieran’s glare at her audacity to use an Ability, but she thought that she was subtle enough that Lorimer and Mal didn’t notice it. Suddenly she realized that Mal was talking.

“...ask the Provost, if that’s what you want.” Mal was looking at her with greater curiosity, and Rowena wondered what, if anything, she knew about the situation at Tunehlan.

Rowena just nodded. “Fine. We’ll see you tomorrow, then.”

Mal paused, but nodded back. With a sweeping gesture, she turned with a flick of her cloak and exited the room, careful to step around the door she’d blown out of the frame. She uttered a sharp, “Lorimer. Kieran. Rowena,” as she left.

Rowena froze– that’s where she’d seen the cloak before– Damon had been wearing it when she first saw him that night in her shop! It was such a subtle design, nothing flashy, but was so well-made and of a material she didn’t recognize. Was it simply a University garment?

Lorimer cleared his throat and said mildly, “Well, you’re making a terrible error.”

Rowena shook her head. “I’m not interested in your opinion.”

“She doesn’t mean that,” Kieran said hastily, but Rowena stood up.

“I do. If you’re not going to be up front or at least polite, well– there’s nothing I can do about that,” she said calmly. “I’m going to bed, and when Mattie and Sorel are awake tomorrow, we’re going to the University.”

“But–” Kieran began to protest, but Lorimer made a sharp gesture with his hand and Kieran just swallowed.

Rowena gave Kieran a sharp, glaring look and began walking out of the room, stepping harshly on the fallen door. “Kieran, you can join us, or not. As you like.”

She didn’t have to look back at him to feel the weight of his torn, saddened gaze on her back as she left the room and went upstairs.