Page 24 of A Fractured Song

Veronica laughed. “No great risk of that. But sure, I wouldn’t mind a trip to the markets. Come with me while I grab a satchel.”

Marieke followed the friendly Aeltan down the hallway, an unexpected wave of wistfulness washing over her as she took in the bustle of the academy. This was a different building in a different country, but the feel of it was so much like her own academy. Watching students hurry past, chatting as they clutched books to their chests, felt very reminiscent. Life had been much simpler when she’d been a student. The Oleandan farmland had started to show signs of deterioration, but nothing anyone was overly concerned about at the time. And she’d had no reason to doubt those in authority, either among her instructors or the Council of Singers.

She frowned to herself as she waited outside Veronica’s door for the other girl to re-emerge. She was now convinced that there was some dishonesty about the distant past in the country’s leadership. She was also suspicious of the Head Instructor’s intentions toward her. But as she reflected on her years at the academy, she still believed that her instructors had generally been authentic and well-intentioned. She also thought of the times she’d appeared before the council, and how not everyone had been equally reactive to her. Something was amiss, but that didn’t mean the whole system was corrupt. For all she knew, most of the council might not even be aware of what she’d discovered about the singers’ coup.

The hard part was figuring out who or what was affected.

“All right.” Veronica’s smile was cheerful as she rejoined Marieke. “Let’s go.”

The two girls chatted amiably as they walked out of the academy, Marieke deftly steering the conversation to what Veronica had been up to since their last meeting rather than her own adventures. She cast another glance at the new messagestation as they passed, noting that the line was a little shorter now. Her steps faltered slightly, but she pushed on, scolding herself. She was being silly. He didn’t want to receive a message from her.

Veronica guided them past the closest market square, explaining to Marieke that they’d find better prices at the next one along.

“Excellent,” Marieke said. “I’m all for being frugal.”

“Yes.” Veronica looked at her sideways. “So what kind of supplies are you looking for?”

“Well, some non-perishable food, for a start,” Marieke said. “And maybe a rope.”

“A rope?” Veronica raised an eyebrow, but didn’t press when Marieke failed to elaborate.

They reached a smaller market than the first one, although it was still bustling with activity. Under Veronica’s guidance, Marieke spent a few of her dwindling coins on a slim but sturdy rope, a supply of food, and a flint. The trading group had kindly given her a water skin, and she filled it at the public fountain in the center of the small square. All of this Veronica watched without comment. It was only after she’d insisted on buying herself and Marieke iced sweets, and they’d perched on the broad rim of the fountain to enjoy them, that she turned to her visitor with a businesslike air.

“So. Marieke. What’s going on with you?”

“Nothing much to report,” Marieke said lightly. “I spent some time at home with my parents, but I didn’t want to stay there indefinitely. Still looking for more permanent work, life of a graduate, you know.”

“And you came back to Tarandon thinking you might have better luck finding employment in songcraft here?” Veronica asked, frowning.

Marieke paused, casting her eyes around the pleasantsquare. “Not exactly, but it’s not a bad thought.” She didn’t have any growing reputation as a troublemaker to worry about here. And she did like Aeltas. It was still thriving, unlike Oleand.

Guilt pulled her up swiftly at the disloyal thought. She wasn’t going to abandon her country, at least not while it was being eaten away at by an unidentified, insidious magic. Maybe if the situation was ever resolved…

But even that thought seemed faithless, so she pushed it aside.

“If not that, then why are you here?” Veronica asked bluntly. “Marieke, are you all right? Are you in some kind of trouble?”

Marieke looked at her warily. “Why would you ask that?”

Veronica’s eyes held a rueful mix of amusement and sympathy as they passed over Marieke’s form. “Have you taken stock of yourself lately? You seem on edge, Marieke. And, I’m sorry to say it so plainly, but you’re a bit of a mess. You look very…travel-worn.”

Marieke scrunched up her nose, recognizing from Veronica’s delicate tone that the other girl had phrased it more kindly than her appearance deserved.

“Well, I did just arrive with a trading convoy from Oleand,” she argued. “I came straight to the academy. I don’t even have lodgings yet.”

Veronica didn’t answer, just regarding her with steady patience until Marieke let out a sigh.

“I don’t know if I’m exactly in trouble, but I’m not exactly…not in trouble.”

“What does that mean?” Veronica demanded.

“I honestly think you’d prefer me not to explain,” Marieke said dolefully. Again she felt that rush of wistfulness for her days as a student, happy and busy and blissfully ignorant that she might be learning a false version of history. “At any rate, Ihave no reason to think I’m in either danger or disfavor here in Aeltas.”

“But you are in Oleand?” Veronica pressed.

Marieke shrugged. “It’s a little complicated, and I’m not confident that even I understand what’s going on. But it’s safe to say our Council of Singers won’t be offering me the job I hoped would come from my place on the delegation here.”

“I’m sorry.” Veronica’s brow was furrowed in concern, and Marieke hastened to clarify.

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