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“You are working hard. I only hope that’s work for one of our classes.” Naseeb gave Oskar a disapproving look. “You don’t have time to work on your extra project.”
“Do you think I don’t know that?” Oskar closed his book, stretched, and yawned. Since his elevation to initiate, it seemed like his nose was always in a book. Though they still took the same courses as novits, initiates were given extra assignments to study independently until they were deemed ready for disciple status, at which time they’d be paired with a saikur whom they would shadow and assist, thus gaining real-world experience. For Oskar, that was years away.
“Have you made any progress?” Naseeb asked.
“I don’t think so. I’m gathering all the information I can, but I don’t feel like it’s anything new or helpful—just confirmation of what I already know.”
The collection of papers Oskar called his “book” lay unbound on the desk. Naseeb began absently shuffling through them until he came to the rubbings Oskar had made from the walls in the lost city of Murantha shortly before he and his friends had found the Silver Serpent
“What are these?”
Oskar frowned. He hadn’t given much thought to the papers. He had wanted to keep them mostly for sentimental reasons, but with all of the resources available at the Gates, they seemed superfluous at best.
“Just some rubbings I made during my travels.”
Naseeb scratched his head. “These glyphs look familiar. I swear I’ve seen their like before, but I can’t say where.”
Dacio joined them and took one of the pages from Naseeb. He held it up to the candlelight and leaned so close that his nose almost touched it. “I’ve been making a study of ancient writing. Would you mind if I borrow these? Perhaps there’s something in the archives that would help me translate them.”
“All right,” Oskar said. He was so distracted by his task that he didn’t really care what Naseeb did with the rubbings. “Just don’t lose them.”
“Where exactly did they come from?” Naseeb asked. “Somewhere pretty old I would imagine.”
“Murantha.”
“What?” Naseeb and Dacio cried in unison. Even Whitt sprang up from his bed and gaped at Oskar.
“You are telling us,” Naseeb said slowly, “that you have been to the lost city of Murantha?”
Oskar realized how surprising, even absurd the statement must sound to his friends. He hadn’t intended to let that bit of information slip. It was one of the many topics Aspin had ordered him not to discuss, but he was tired of keeping so many secrets. He decided that his friends could be trusted. “That’s right. I thought I’d mentioned it.”
A flood of questions ensued and Oskar spent the better part of an hour recounting the tale of how they had met up with Prince Larris and eventually found the lost city.
“Why didn’t you tell us this before?” Whitt marveled.
“I’m not really supposed to talk about it. I’m relying on you all to keep the secret. Besides, would you have believed me? And even if you thought I was telling the truth, you would probably think I was boasting.”
“I can’t believe this,” Naseeb said. “All this time I thought you were just another country oaf and now I discover you’re, in fact, a hero.” He playfully punched Oskar on the shoulder.
“So the civil war in Lothan is sort of your fault,” Whitt said.
“It’s not his fault. He just helped a little bit.” Naseeb said with a wink.
Oskar managed a shy smile. He hadn’t done anything important in his life until he and his friends had left Galsbur. Receiving praise was still an unusual and uncomfortable experience.
“Oskar, these could be important.” Dacio shook the paper in his hand. “Your research is about the Silver Serpent, which was hidden at Murantha. Until you found it, that is,” he added. “If we can translate these glyphs, there might be valuable information here.”
“Feel free,” Oskar said. “I’m willing to try anything.” He paused. “Just remember—let’s keep this between the four of us, all right?”
“Agreed,” they all said.
Dacio looked up from the sheaf of papers and frowned.
“What is it?” Oskar asked.
Dacio pointed to the bottom of the door to their room. A shadow was just visible as if someone were standing there. Oskar stood, moved quietly to the door, and threw it open.
Oskar recognized the brown-robed man who stood in the doorway, hand raised as if about to knock. He had escorted Oskar to meet Basilius on Oskar’s first day at the gates. How long had he been standing there and what might he have heard?
“Initiate Clehn? Proctor Basilius would like to see you.” His face red with embarrassment, the saikur hurried away.
Oskar exchanged glances with his friends. He was certain no good would come of this meeting.
Proctor Basilius waited in his sitting room. He didn’t rise when Oskar entered and bowed respectfully.
“Initiate Clehn,” he said. “Please sit down.” His firm tone and flinty gaze told Oskar that this was going to be an uncomfortable meeting.
Oskar took the closest chair and waited for Basilius to continue.
“I have heard some things that are of great concern to me,” Basilius began. “I understand you have been keeping company with the wrong sort of people. Or should I say, the wrong sort of person?”
Oskar was not certain where the proctor was going with this though he assumed this was another of the proctor’s attempts to fish for information about Aspin, so he thought it best to remain silent. He did his best to appear politely confused.
They sat in silence until Basilius grew impatient.
“You are aware that we do not allow women at the Gates. And we do not enter into relationships with women?”
Oskar’s stomach fell. Basilius knew about Lizzie. “I’m sorry?” he managed.
Basilius scowled. “Don’t play coy with me, Initiate. I know you have been keeping company with a woman of ill repute.”
Oskar made a small gesture with his open palms but did not reply.
Basilius stared at him from beneath hooded lids until he finally let out his breath in a sharp exhale. “Initiate Clehn do you or do you not know a woman named Elizabeth?”
“It doesn’t sound familiar.” That wasn’t technically a lie. Lizzie had never told him that her name was Elizabeth. “What is her surname?”
“She claims not to have one. But I am sure the constable will extract it from her in short order.” Basilius stared at Oskar, trying to measure the effect of his words.
Oskar somehow managed to remain calm and outwardly relaxed. “I’m sorry Proctor, but I fear I can’t help you. Incidentally, who told you that I know this person?”
“Where a proctor gets his information is not the business of an initiate.”
“I only meant...”
Basilius slapped the arm of his chair. “I don’t care what you meant. You are far too arrogant for a boy of your station and skills. I realize Aspin is Denrill’s favorite, and you are Aspin’s creature, but a prelate’s term of service is not necessarily for life. Sooner or later every man is called to account for his misdeeds. Think upon that.” His face turned beet red. “This meeting is at an end. See yourself out.”
Oskar stood, bowed, and headed for the door, trying to remain calm. Inside, his nerves were jangled. Confused thoughts whirled through his mind.
“It’s a shame you don’t know the young lady,” Basilius said as Oskar opened the door. “Perhaps you could have given evidence to her good character at the trial.”
It took everything Oskar had, all of his self-control, to not turn around and confront the proctor, but he knew it would not do any good. It would only confirm that he had a relationship with Lizzie. He closed the door gently behind him and did not quicken his pace until he was well out of earshot.
When he returned to his quarters, he threw open the door. His friends looked at him in alarm.
“What’s wrong?” Naseeb asked.
“I need your help.”