8

Gonzalez, Delacroix, and Hartmann sequester themselves in the tent to cook, while Max and Freddie set up plates for serving. You and Karson unload crates and unfold the picnic tables, but despite the cool of the air you are soon uncomfortably hot. Discarding your blazer and rolling up your sleeves barely helps, and more miners are arriving by the minute.

"Come on, Master ., if you can," Karson says. "They need seats."

This shouldn't beat you. You grit your teeth and haul, and find yourself in a state of odd calm. When you don't think about how long it'll be, you get into a rhythm, and Karson does the same.

By the time you're finished, your arms are aching but the green looks wonderful. Karson nods to you with a satisfied expression. Max and Freddie parade out of the tent bearing plates of sausages and beans, and lunch goes marvelously.

Karson starts clearing away the plates, and Miss Dalca motions to the rest of you to do the same. While you work, the middle-aged woman who shook Miss Dalca's hand stands to speak.

"Thank you, Gallatin students, for a brilliant afternoon," she says. "Let's have a cheer for Gallatin College!"

The miners clap and cheer before drifting off past the workers' houses, meeting a crowd of others arriving back from their shifts.

As you watch, your gaze falls upon what looks like a familiar figure. But surely not?

Blaise?

You sidle into the cluster of miners, but in your uniform you stand out a mile away. One of the mining women jostles you and says, "Wrong way, kid. You don't want to break your nails doing actual work."

Karson pauses in loading up the wagon and lopes after you. "It's time to get back, Master .," he says. "Is something wrong?"