Chapter 16 #3
She searched through stacks of folded clothing: nightdresses, underthings, thigh-high wool socks, day clothes, a cable-knit sweater.
And there, folded neatly, was a school uniform.
She pulled out a leather belt with a brass buckle, two mid-length woolen plaid skirts, a curved collared long-sleeved shirt with shining pearl buttons, brown silk tie, black vest, brown plaid overcoats—one short, one long, heavy.
Audra pulled the heavy coat on immediately. The warmth from the thick wool was instantaneous.
But there was one more item of clothing, a charcoal gray one-piece ensemble—she’d never seen anything quite like it, and as she held it up, she asked, confusion evident in her tone, “What is this?”
The shirt and pants appeared to be sewn together, and the shirt could be fastened with buttons. The material was stretchy yet thick, and pads were sewn at the elbows and knees.
“This is to be worn for combat training.”
“Combat training?” Audra’s voice rose an octave.
“Of course.”
“I don’t understand, Twyla.” Audra dropped the combat outfit unceremoniously into the trunk. She whirled on the girl.
“What is this place, really? What are we truly meant to be doing here? Why waste time on academics if we are just to be soldiers?” The sound of other initiates/captives on their tours filtered in through the open doorway. Audra felt close to tears and her voice was thick. “I don’t understand.”
“I know. But you will. You’ve had a long day. A long few weeks, actually. You don’t need to worry about any of that tonight.”
“How am I not supposed to worry? The Archmagistra said we have to be to class on time—I don’t even know what my class schedule is!”
“Your classes are arranged according to your guild—you will study together, train together, eat together, and sleep together. Ultimately, your guild is like your regiment, your troop—if you were in the queen’s army proper, these would be your soldiers in arms.”
Audra said nothing. This did not answer her question, not truly.
Twyla opened the drawer again, the same one that held the matches, and withdrew a scroll tied with a thin black bow.
“This is Arcane Guild’s schedule—on this, you will find your book list, training schedule, and everything else.
This must be followed to rote—you will be severely punished if you are late or miss any of your classes. ”
Audra reached out and took the offered scroll. She unrolled it, her gaze tripping over unfamiliar terms but recognizing with ease a strict schedule, managed down to the minute.
Frustrated, she dropped the scroll onto the bed and pushed a stray braid away from her face.
“Here, this should help.”
Twyla withdrew a timepiece from the pocket of her gown. It was an odd little thing, attached to a golden chain on either side with a small, intricate clasp.
“And you aren’t alone, Audra, you have your guild and me, I’m here to help you.
” Twyla stepped closer, smiling encouragingly.
Like all of Audra’s worries should just fall away.
“And this! See, it’s been spelled and set with your schedule—it will chime when you must wake, or when it’s mealtime.
” She shook the time piece joyfully. “It’s marvelous, truly.
Incredibly accurate—if it isn’t within the parameters of your classroom or wherever you are delegated to be at that time, it will alert you.
” Twyla held it out before her; it dangled in the cool air of the dorm room.
Audra made no move to take the offered timepiece.
Twyla smiled, ignoring Audra’s hesitation.
“Here, let me help; it’s quite difficult to clasp on one’s own.”
The younger girl slid up the sleeve of the heavy wool coat, gripped Audra’s wrist with warm, soft fingers, and twisted, gently but firmly, until the delicate skin of Audra’s wrist faced upward.
Before she could utter a word of protest or pull her wrist back, Twyla had wound the chain around Audra’s wrist and fastened the clasp with a soft clink.
The golden chain felt frigid on Audra’s skin, the timepiece heavy, heavier than it should for how delicate the craftsmanship.
Twyla turned Audra’s arm over once more to admire how the timepiece shone on her wrist. The golden chain glittered in the candlelight and looked beautiful against Audra’s warm brown skin.
“Do I have to wear it?”
“At all times. Even while bathing.” A laugh. “Don’t worry, the water won’t harm the mechanisms.”
As Twyla spoke, the truth had been evident—though she hadn’t said it.
This was basically a shackle—the lock on the bars to this academic prison.
Audra had the sudden desire to rip the timepiece off, to race down the stairs to the common room and toss the metal shackle into the fire just to watch it fracture and melt.
As Twyla ran one finger across the crystal face of the timepiece, the sleeve of her gown raised a fraction, and Audra saw that she wore a similar timepiece.
As an acolyte, did Twyla live under a comparable schedule? Strict, demanding, scrutinized? Who kept her time? Was it the church—perhaps the elder priestesses? The monarchy?
Audra opened her mouth to ask when she heard her name called from the doorway.
She whipped around, the tension in her shoulders easing a fraction when she saw who stood there.
Wilder.
“Are you looking for a cellmate?”