Page 40 of Ocean of Ink
“Now that we are all settled, I will begin with your first assignment: introductory essays.”
“Since you will be spending a great deal of time together, I drew up this assignment in order to speed up the evolution of your relationship,” Ambassador Westover said with a flourish. “I should warn you that if you remain aloof with one another, you are likely to fail this class. To succeed you must get to know your partner on a deeper level. These essays will aid in your success if you let them.”
He turned to face the chalkboard and began writing on it. Castien cut his eyes to Wren, who was staring straight ahead, her spine stiff as a stone pillar. Her hands were tightly clasped atop the desk, and Castien noted a smudge of ink on her hand, where she likely rested it on the page she was writing. He had an identical smudge on his hand that Finn joked was a birthmark, for it seemed a permanent fixture.
Wren did not look thrilled with their pairing. Castien had yet to determine how he felt. On one hand, this would be an excellent way to conduct his investigation of her in an inconspicuous manner. But on the other, she would learn about him as well. He preferred to deal in the shadows. For no one tobe entirely certain about what he was capable of, especially his enemies. Wren Kalyxi had yet to prove herself not his adversary, and the best defense against an opponent was confusion. He’d lose that by being partnered with her.
“You will each write two essays. One, describing yourself. The other, your partner. If you try to simply write two slightly different papers about yourself to turn them in, I will know.” The ambassador turned around and pointed at the room with his piece of chalk. “And you will fail.”
Adalin raised her hand. She had been paired with someone not a part of the Order, which was unfortunate. The class assignments would have been the perfect cover to gauge her ability.
“Yes, Miss Zeldair?”
Adalin fidgeted under the ambassador’s stare, but asked her question. “How are our grades determined?”
A slow smile stretched Ambassador Westover’s mouth.
“I’m afraid those of you who are fond of rubrics will not like this assignment…or this class very much. My grading is highly subjective, and based entirely on effort and passion. Put forth all that you are able, and you will succeed. Neglect to collaborate with your partner, and your marks will suffer. Simple as that.”
Adalin slouched in her seat. Castien was aware of the eccentricities of the ambassador now, but he recalled being annoyed with the lack of structure when he was a first year. Unfortunately, Castien had to admit the unconventional style of teaching did produce growth in the use of his Gift last year. He found himself more in tune with it than ever before and able to silence emotional responses with ease after diligent practice.
“Now, for the subjects you should seek to learn about, I would recommend inquiring about family history, their homeland, likes, dislikes, why they are at the academy, and of course, what their Gift is and how it affects their life.”
He paused, but no one asked any questions.
“Your essays will be due a week from today. You will use the remainder of your time, and your class later this week, to interview your partner and work on your essays. Feel free to do so at any location on the grounds. There is no need to be confined to this room.” The ambassador set the chalk down and clapped his hands together. “You are dismissed.”
At his words, several of the students scraped their chairs back and left the room. Castien turned toward Wren, who had not moved.
“Is there any place in particular you would like to conduct our interview?” he asked.
There was no sense in delaying the inevitable. He’d provide enough information to get a mark of excellence, but not so much that she knew anything of value. His Gift started writing in the air possible facts to provide and questions to ask her.
“I am not yet familiar with the grounds, so I will defer that decision to you,” she answered in a tight voice.
Most of Castien’s favorite spots on the island were ones he could not show her because the knowledge of them belonged to the Order, but there was one that he thought would lend itself to private conversation. While he had no plans of disclosing anything significant to her, he would have to divulge more than he did to the average peer.
“How does the library suit you?”
“That’s fine.”
She stood and adjusted her bag on her shoulder before stepping back to make room for Castien to pass. Castien noted the ambassador’s curious gaze following their movements.
“I look forward to reading both of your essays,” Ambassador Westover said with a sly grin.
What could he mean by placing the two of them together? The man had the greatest weaknesses of every student at hisfingertips, so it stood to reason he would use that knowledge while assigning partners. What was Wren’s weakness?
Castien looked over at her as they walked into the hall. Pieces of her hair had fallen from the pins since he first saw her this morning. They curled at the nape of her neck and around her temples. She appeared everything a woman of proper upbringing was taught to be. Demure, delicate, well-spoken, and well-dressed. She was capable of banter–as he witnessed with Finn–yet she wasn’t a flirt. But that was all on the surface.
Wren squinted as they stepped outside. It was still as foggy as when class began, if not more so. Castien could find his way around blind, though, so he didn’t mind the weather. It was not as though there was much sunshine back on the Lucent Enclave where he grew up. With all the buildings crowded together and built on top of one another, everyone lived in shadow. He preferred it this way. It was easier to maneuver in secret when visibility was low.
“Dreadful island,” he heard Wren mutter under her breath as they descended the stairs.
“I take it you aren’t fond of the weather?” Castien inquired.
She let out a little huff. “How could anyone enjoy such a dreary state?”
He waited for her to move from the bottom of the stairs, but she seemed to be waiting on him. Finn had told Castien he had walked Wren to class, but Castien now discerned why. She did not know where she was going.
