hand was useful. I frowned down at the boxy tunic. Maybe Holly or Reggie could make one that would be slightly more flattering.
And that was an odd thought. Normally I was happy for the comfort of my Guild clothes and the familiar sense of focus and anonymity they provided. I obviously had had far too little sleep.
With a last nervous poke at the pins holding my braids in place, I forced myself to turn away from the mirror and leave the room. I wasn’t the only one hurrying through the halls early this morning. Almost every student in the Guild was heading in the same direction as I was, toward the Ore Hall, where the Guild Master would be announcing the members of the delegation.
There were plenty of Master mages and journeymen making their way too. Everyone, it seemed, was curious to see who would be selected. Even if only a few of us could realistically expect to be chosen. The Guild didn’t officially rank apprentices, but after four years of study and sweat and sheer bloody hard work, I knew that I stood very high—if not first—amongst my classmates. Surely I had done enough? Surely they would pick me?
My hands curled into fists as I pictured it.
My
name. My hard work recognized. My place earned and nothing my interfering family could do to stop it. A place in the delegation meant not only freedom and being able to contribute to something important but a chance to mingle with the Fae smiths who would accompany the Veiled Queen. To be known to them.
Which was the very first step to one day perhaps being able to study with them. The Fae did things with metals that no human metalmage could hope to emulate and they guarded their secrets closely, but if I wanted to become a true Master. . . to maybe one day find the alloy that could replace iron and free the humans from some of the tyrannies of the treaty restrictions . . . then learning what I could from the Fae would be essential.
They only ever worked with the brightest and the best of the human metalmages.
I needed to be the best. I needed to be chosen today. I didn’t want a life shaping iron or metals to the whims of the Guild of Mechanizers or other customers. I wanted to help change the City for the better.
I forced myself to relax, to look unconcerned, as I reached the doors to the Ore Hall. As I passed through, Master Columbine spoke my name, looming up at my side like a sentinel crow in her Master’s robes of black and gold. “Saskia, a word if you please.” She was shorter than me, the top of her black bun just level with my shoulder, but size didn’t equal power. Master Columbine was one of the strongest mages at the Guild, able to make gold dance to her will. Normally I would be happy if she singled me out for attention, but not this morning.
I tried not to let my flash of frustration show on my face. If I was too slow, I would lose my chance at a seat near the front of the hall. I wanted to be nearby when my name was called. “As you wish, Master,” I said and let her draw me over to the side of the foyer.
“Master Aquinas would like to see you, afterward,” Master Columbine said. Her bright blue eyes had a look I couldn’t quite decipher.
“Of course,” I said automatically, then pressed my lips together, hiding a grin. Of course he would want to see me. He would want to see all the delegates. I had done it. Elation made me giddy, rushing through my veins like brandy.
I ducked my head toward Master Columbine. “Was there anything else, Master?”
She sighed and flapped her hands toward the front of the hall. “No. Go on. I won’t keep you any longer.”
I hurried off, working my way through the throng. The first few rows had filled up with the Masters, but I spotted an empty seat in the fourth row, off to the side. Not ideal, but it would do. I took my seat just as the Guild Master entered the hall, silence spreading before him as he walked down the center aisle, heading for the ornate bronze lectern at the front of the
And that was an odd thought. Normally I was happy for the comfort of my Guild clothes and the familiar sense of focus and anonymity they provided. I obviously had had far too little sleep.
With a last nervous poke at the pins holding my braids in place, I forced myself to turn away from the mirror and leave the room. I wasn’t the only one hurrying through the halls early this morning. Almost every student in the Guild was heading in the same direction as I was, toward the Ore Hall, where the Guild Master would be announcing the members of the delegation.
There were plenty of Master mages and journeymen making their way too. Everyone, it seemed, was curious to see who would be selected. Even if only a few of us could realistically expect to be chosen. The Guild didn’t officially rank apprentices, but after four years of study and sweat and sheer bloody hard work, I knew that I stood very high—if not first—amongst my classmates. Surely I had done enough? Surely they would pick me?
My hands curled into fists as I pictured it.
My
name. My hard work recognized. My place earned and nothing my interfering family could do to stop it. A place in the delegation meant not only freedom and being able to contribute to something important but a chance to mingle with the Fae smiths who would accompany the Veiled Queen. To be known to them.
Which was the very first step to one day perhaps being able to study with them. The Fae did things with metals that no human metalmage could hope to emulate and they guarded their secrets closely, but if I wanted to become a true Master. . . to maybe one day find the alloy that could replace iron and free the humans from some of the tyrannies of the treaty restrictions . . . then learning what I could from the Fae would be essential.
They only ever worked with the brightest and the best of the human metalmages.
I needed to be the best. I needed to be chosen today. I didn’t want a life shaping iron or metals to the whims of the Guild of Mechanizers or other customers. I wanted to help change the City for the better.
I forced myself to relax, to look unconcerned, as I reached the doors to the Ore Hall. As I passed through, Master Columbine spoke my name, looming up at my side like a sentinel crow in her Master’s robes of black and gold. “Saskia, a word if you please.” She was shorter than me, the top of her black bun just level with my shoulder, but size didn’t equal power. Master Columbine was one of the strongest mages at the Guild, able to make gold dance to her will. Normally I would be happy if she singled me out for attention, but not this morning.
I tried not to let my flash of frustration show on my face. If I was too slow, I would lose my chance at a seat near the front of the hall. I wanted to be nearby when my name was called. “As you wish, Master,” I said and let her draw me over to the side of the foyer.
“Master Aquinas would like to see you, afterward,” Master Columbine said. Her bright blue eyes had a look I couldn’t quite decipher.
“Of course,” I said automatically, then pressed my lips together, hiding a grin. Of course he would want to see me. He would want to see all the delegates. I had done it. Elation made me giddy, rushing through my veins like brandy.
I ducked my head toward Master Columbine. “Was there anything else, Master?”
She sighed and flapped her hands toward the front of the hall. “No. Go on. I won’t keep you any longer.”
I hurried off, working my way through the throng. The first few rows had filled up with the Masters, but I spotted an empty seat in the fourth row, off to the side. Not ideal, but it would do. I took my seat just as the Guild Master entered the hall, silence spreading before him as he walked down the center aisle, heading for the ornate bronze lectern at the front of the
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