• A Featherpen's Gratitude

"That is all I wished to hear," Bellunder said and rose to his feet, his chair dragging behind him. "Gareth will take you to the teacher that I had summoned for you. His name is Bestar Ivyssis, and I assure you that his knowledge is vast, one of the great minds of the Mystiqarium. But you will see this for yourself."

Spheris joined him on his feet and Lirael followed.

"Very well."

Bellunder, after a nod, turned his stoic gaze to Lirael. "I assume you'll send word of this to Daligarth?"

Her betrayed eyes left Spheris and regarded the Duke. "I will."

Spheris bit his lip. He didn't owe her anything, he had the right to choose based on his preference and his present situation. She had to understand, and if she didn't, he didn't care.

This was about him. She was just a girl he met some hours ago.

Lirael adjusted her seat backwards, giving herself enough room to step out of the table and she started to leave the room.