Page 20 of Ocean of Ink
Headmaster Acanthia was as severe as Wren expected her to be. She sat in the wingback chair behind her desk as though it were a throne. Her gray hair was cut sharply at her jaw. Not a strand was out of place. She wore a long-sleeved black dress that climbed up her neck. When she stood, the only ornamentation on her ensemble came into view. A silver brooch was pinned where her skirts gathered at her waist. It matched the academy insignia Wren had seen on Heron’s school clothes.
“Professor Ivanhild, I was not expecting you,” the headmaster said.
Her cold blue eyes rested on Wren. Wren curtsied, but said nothing. Blossom, who now stood beside Wren, curtsied as well, holding the pose for longer than customary. Having been raised up to be a lady’s maid, she knew the inner workings of society better than Wren at times.
“My apologies for the intrusion, Headmaster,” Ivanhild said with a slight bow. “I’m afraid time did not allow me to make an appointment with your secretary.”
“You have brought more than trinkets from your trip, I see.”
Wren felt little emotion from the headmaster. There were faint wisps of annoyance, but nothing more. However, that could be due to the intensity of Ivanhild and Blossom’s states.
“Introduce yourself,” Headmaster Acanthia commanded.
A flicker of frustration rose in Wren. Who was she to demand things of Wren while knowing of her grief? The headmaster showed nary a modicum of sympathy. It was not as though she didn’t already suspect who Wren was. She’d be foolish not to, and the headmaster did not appear a fool.
“I am Lady Wren Kalyxi of Riverwild. It is a pleasure to meet you, Headmaster.” Wren kept her voice subdued and demure. Her mother had taught her to use this tone when speaking to men in a ballroom, but Wren thought it would do well to present as delicate here.
“I apologize for not asking permission to bring her here,” Ivanhild spoke before the headmaster could reply. “I am aware that this is all very untoward, but I felt as though I owed the girl a debt. This is how I was asked to repay it.”
Headmaster Acanthia narrowed her eyes. “You asked to come here?”
Wren nodded. “Yes, Headmaster. My brother spoke of the prestige of the academy. As my family’s sole heir, I have a desire to better myself and learn.”
A tiny ember of fear from the headmaster began to glow within Wren when she brought up being thesoleheir. The woman might play cold and indifferent, but Heron’s death was a smear on the academy’s pristine name. Royals and nobles would stop sending their heirs here if they thought it to be dangerous. Wren’s family could spread the word of the academy’s negligence if they were so inclined. Wren did not have to voice this for it to take root in Headmaster Acanthia’s mind.
A tight smile stretched the headmaster’s lips.
“We are honored that you chose the Obsidian Academy for your education, even under these woeful circumstances. I’m sure Ivanhild has already expressed them, but do accept our sincerest condolences on the loss of your brother. We were troubled by the tragic accident, and have taken great measures to ensure such an incident won’t occur again in the future.”
Not even the powerful headmaster was immune to the politics of the Seven Havens.
“Thank you. It is a burdensome grief I will never overcome, but I seek to lighten it by bringing honor to my brother’s legacy,” Wren said. It was difficult to form the words. Acknowledging her brother’s death was not easy. Wren wasn’t sure it ever would be.
Headmaster Acanthia’s gaze dipped to a miniature portrait of a young boy wearing a toothy grin. It was angled toward the headmaster’s seat, but Wren could see it clearly from where she stood. The boy was likely nine or ten years of age, and his eyes were a similar shade of blue as the headmaster’s, though his held a mischievous nature contrary to the calculating one of Headmaster Acanthia.
“I understand,” the headmaster said after a long pause. “I should tell you it is rare that a student arrives who hasn’t been hand-selected by our committee. You will have to forgive our delay while we prepare a room for you in the House of Adira.”
Wren nodded. “Thank you for accommodating me. Perhaps I could speak with someone about my class schedule in the meantime?”
She desperately wanted to bathe and rest. The two weeks at sea were spent taking sponge baths and clinging to her cot on a rolling ship. But since refreshment was not an option, it was best to prepare for the semester. Though her reason for coming had nothing to do with studying, it was a condition she could not afford to ignore.
“You will need to undergo an evaluation to determine the classes that best suit you. Those are performed by Ambassador Westover. He is not known to leave his office except for an occasional walk about the gardens, so you are likely to encounter him in one of those locations.”
Wren bent into a curtsy. “Thank you. If there is nothing else for me to do, I should like to find his office.”
Ivanhild turned his head toward Wren. “Are you certain you are up to this after such a trying journey?”
“I do not wish to waste any time,” she replied.
“Proactive, I see,” the headmaster said with a humorless smile. “Such an attitude will be beneficial for your time here. Ivanhild can guide you to the Ambassador. I will send my secretary to notify you when your chambers are ready.”
“Thank you, Headmaster, you have been very kind.” Wren curtsied again for good measure. Satisfaction rippled through the air. Ivanhild’s observation about the headmaster had been apt indeed.
“Do send for me if you need anything at all. It is my mission to provide a wonderful atmosphere of community and learning for my students.”
Blossom curtsied. Ivanhild bowed. Then the three of them exited into the narrow stone corridor. Ivanhild did not say a word, though his anxiety was a taut string tugging at Wren’s abdomen. His strides were long as he made his way to the staircase. It was not until they were down it that he stopped and spoke.
“Ambassador Westover is a trying man who takes joy in disconcerting others,” Ivanhild said in a low voice. “I do wish you had rested before asking to meet with him. I have seen many a student leave his office looking as though they hadn’t slept in days.”
