Page 57 of The Stone Initiation
“Eat it,” Sharniza said. “We have physical training first off today. You’ll need the energy.”
“She’s right,” Palia said before shoving a crispy slice into her mouth and chewing with gusto. “So good.”
I snagged a couple of pieces and ate them quickly, barely tasting anything.
“That’s it?” Touron frowned.
“I’ll grab something more later. Let’s go.”
I wanted classes over so I could see the headmistress and sneakily interrogate her. Training and arcana were just in the way of my main objective for the day. I might have gone earlier if I hadn’t been sure she kept late hours like most of the inhabitants on campus.
“Someone’s eager,” Sharniza muttered.
“She’s right, though,” Palia said getting up quickly. “We should get going. The class is being taken by Master Farnell, and he’s a stickler for punctuality.”
“Total hard ass,” Ginia said.
“Ginia!” Palia snapped. “Language.”
Ginia rolled her eyes. “Ass is not a cuss word. It’s a part of the body, and also an animal.”
“Not the way you were using it,” Palia said primly.
They continued to bicker as we made our way to the training hall.
We got there just as the doors opened. I caught the top of Curi’s blue head. He was right up front and the first through the doors.
We trooped into the room laid with mats and lined with weapons racks. The ceiling was high but not high enough for aerial combat. I supposed that took place mainly on the outdoor training grounds.
A gargoyle in human form stood to one side of the room. He was so still that I almost mistook him for a weapons rack. Stocky and solidly built, his gray hair was buzz cut accentuating the squareness of his head. Metal bands on his wrists caught the light and winked at me.
His attention was on Curi and his minions who stood whispering with their heads together. His glare must have penetrated their little bubble because they straightened quickly.
The gargoyle’s gaze settled on me next. He stared long enough to put my teeth on edge. I’d have looked away if I hadn’t been held hostage by his ice blue peepers.
He finally released me with a blink.
“Why was he looking at Cam like that?” Palia whispered.
“Farnell is all about survival of the fittest,” Sharniza said. “We aren’t told about the trials and tests that take place here, but I’ve heard about Farnell. You don’t pass his class if he considers you weak.”
Good thing I didn’t give a shit about passing his class. I just needed to get past it so I could get on with the real mission for the day.
Touron stepped closer to me. “Stick with me. If we’re asked to spar you can be my partner.”
Damn he was a sweetheart. “Thank you.”
“Or mine,” Sharniza said. “I’ll make it look real when I take you down.”
“Er…thanks?”
Palia and Ginia giggled, and Farnell’s head whipped round, drilling them with that ice blue gaze.
Fuck.
This was not going to be fun, but we’d get through it.
“My name is Master Farnell, and my class will be fast paced, unrelenting and brutal.”
