I think I’m going to work, and that’s it. Work and take care of my father. Athena told me that Tristan is going to Dorin. Annalise won’t excuse him until the summer though, when we go to Brightcoast.

The next few months will be miserable. So I’ll work, and I’ll take care of Papa. Who knew he needed so much caring for?

He does nothing, any more. He doesn’t read, though he writes constantly. Occasionally I can convince him to go to tea with Dowager Countess Olivia. This afternoon was once such afternoon. He doesn’t say much at these teas, but it’s pleasant to sit with her.

“Les,” she said softly, “I thought you should know I’m going to Pantona soon. Not for long, but,” I swallowed, the idea of being even more alone with him. “We need to bury Caleb, and I wondered if you would come with me.”

“Livvie,” he said, they both looked different then. “Of course. I keep thinking of those nights, while Marie and Anton were engaged.” She laughed and nodded. “And with Tristan Dugarry going to Dorin.”

“We met Alexia for the first time here,” she said softly, “don’t you remember? They came back early, to celebrate the engagement, and Marie invited her,” she blushed, “of course, Trey Dumanis came too.”

“Poor Trey,” Papa shook his head, “poor Martin that night. You broke it off then didn’t you?”

“If you’d like I could go,” I said, feeling like I was invading something private. They both looked at me. “I have some work to do, I’m teaching Lord Raymond to manipulate air to make fire.”

“I’m sorry Marina, we must seem silly,” the Countess shook her head, “two old people reliving their younger days.”

“No, I,” I said softly, but I felt very sad, “I’m glad for you, Papa, I think you should go.”

“I can’t leave you and Annalise here with them,” he said. I sighed, I couldn’t fight with him about this again.

“We’re perfectly safe,” I insisted, “Prince Erik and Lieutenant Lestoff and Lord Raymond are very nice.”

“Les,” the Countess said, “I can’t make Aaron leave and who else is there?” He frowned. “I can’t face it alone, please.”

“I’ll consider it,” he said, “excuse me.” He stood up and walked out. She sighed.

“I tried,” she said.

“Thank you,” I whispered. “I don’t understand.”

“I do,” she said, “but he’ll tell you in his time.” She walked softly. “Your mother and I lived here, you know, when we were waiting on Marie.”

“Papa told me,” I said. She nodded. “What was she like?” She looked at me and smiled.

“Anne?” She asked. I nodded. “She was exceptional, very intelligent, and studious, that’s why your father saw her, always in the library, both of them.” I smiled. “She was Caleb’s oldest friend, you know. Your grandparents wanted her to marry him.” I smiled.

“What changed?” I asked.

“Well, your father came to visit, and to study of course,” she shrugged, “they fell in love. She was never really interested in Caleb anyway, she always assured me, not that I was worried.” She laughed. “She didn’t suffer fools and she was so very excited to have you.” I smiled. “I wish you could have known her better, Rina, really.” I smiled. “You remind me of her.” I nodded.

“Count Caleb said that too,” I whispered. She nodded.

“You’re probably sick of hearing how like Marie you look, though you really do,” she shook her head, “but you’re extraordinarily like your mother.” I smiled.

“I should go, I promised Lord Raymond,” I said and walk out to the main hall, where he was waiting for me. I smiled at him and we walked a bit until we reached an empty walled garden.

“This is where you practice?” He asked. I nodded and rolled up my sleeves.

“I used to, when I was training with Sister Mara,” I explained, “it should do the trick here.” He nodded. “Did you learn with sisters?”

“A few,” He said, “we had a Sister Rini at the palace, she taught me and Karina.” I nodded. “You don’t have to help me Marina, if you don’t want.”

“Why wouldn’t I want to?” I said. He shrugged. “Raymond, I think you should know that you’re the subject of a lot of gossip.” He laughed.

“I’m used to that,” he said. I nodded. “It’s in regards to you, isn’t it?” He asked.

“Yes,” I smiled, “well, us really.” He nodded. “I don’t think anything of it.”

“I ought to tell you,” he said softly. “We had our instructions coming her, Eric was to marry Annalise, and well, Lefty and I,” he shrugged.

“If there’s a girl in Phania, that’s all well and fine,” I said, “I want to be friends, and I don’t want you thinking there’s,” he blinked at me.

“There’s not,” he said quickly. I looked at him. “I want to be friends too.” I nodded. “But I don’t want to marry you.” I smiled.

“No one does, it seems,” I whispered. He frowned. “It’s not important. Perhaps you’ll meet someone here.”

“Perhaps,” he said softly. “Lefty likes you quite a bit.”

“He asked to kiss me,” I said, “is that common?” He laughed.

“No,” he said, “but that’s him. He’s not interested in girls who aren’t interested in him.” I nodded.  “I said there wasn’t a girl, but,” I stared at him.

“Oh!” I said and laughed. “Oh, how silly! I shouldn’t have assumed, I’m sorry.” He nodded. “So there’s a boy then?”

“Not at home, but he’s on the ship,” he explained. “Eric knows, it’s why he took me. He knew Daniel wouldn’t understand.” I smiled and took his hand.

“I’m glad you told me,” I said, “Annalise and I were nervous about you, you know.” He nodded.

“I sensed as much,” he said.  “I’m not going to go to Amina, or accept her if she comes to me.” I frowned. “You’ll hate me but I went to see him.”

“I don’t hate you,” I shook my head, that’s dangerous, the calm voice in the back of my mind warned. As if I didn’t know. “What did you think of him?”

“He’s very powerful,” he said. I nodded. “He laughed at me.”

“He does that,” I said softly. “Why is my father so afraid of you all being here?”

“I don’t know,” he said, “probably the same reason my sister is afraid of us growing too close to you. She never talks about it.” I nodded. He motioned his hands and made a burst of flame in the globe.

“That’s very good,” I smiled. He smiled back at me. “Countess Olivia said something today, and I don’t know why I didn’t think of it earlier.”

“Uh huh,” he said, focusing on the swirling vortex of air.

“I know you were hoping to work with Mastero Anselm,” I said, “and I’m sure the sisters here can’t teach you anything you didn’t already learn in Vacana,” he smirked. “But there’s The University.”

“They don’t admit non Cammadie,” he said. I smirked.

“Except by royal permission,” she said, “that’s how my father attended.” He looked at me. “It’s an option, if things between Eric and Annalise proceed and you want to,”

“I do!” He said quickly. “Even if they don’t,” I smiled, “I mean even if Eric goes home, or wherever Daniel sends him next,” I nodded. “The Queen would give me permission?”

“I don’t see why not,” I shrugged and I noticed the flame burst with the smile on Raymond’s face. “Very good.”

“Why aren’t you there?” He asked. “At the university?” I shrugged. “Is it because you’re a girl?”

“No,” I said, “women have been allowed in the University for ages. I’m the only heir to a provenance. I have other responsibilities.”

“Also you’re chosen,” he said. I nodded. “So you have your mandate.”

“The mandate,” I mumbled, “I suppose.”

“Do you know what it is?” He asked. I shook my head.

“Annalise knows hers,” I shrugged, “I know mine is tied up with hers, but beyond that, no.” He nodded. “What about you?”

“My mandate?” He said. I nodded. “I’m not chosen.”

“Yes, you are,” I said. He blinked at me. “I see it, it’s all over you.”