Read Online A College of Magics by Caroline Stevermer - Free Book Online

tug, Faris kilted her skirts out of her way.
    â€œLook at that, tearing her clothes off to get at me. I’d better call my friends myself.”
    Faris heard her own voice as though it belonged to someone else entirely. It was perfectly level, perfectly assured. “Let her go, before I make you.”
    The sailor lifted the dark green bottle high. “You come any closer, you’ll get to taste this.”
    Gunhild twisted aside. Eve-Marie and Jane stepped forward. The sailor pushed Gunhild into them and brought his
bottle down hard on the edge of the table. A crash, a thick scent of caraway and raw spirit, and the broken neck of the bottle was steady in his hand. Portia gave a squeak of alarm.
    The sailor smiled. “Come on, then, sweetheart. Let’s have it.”
    Faris was already on guard. Before he stepped toward her, Faris lunged. The tip of the poker caught him on the breast bone with a noise like thumping a melon. The sailor staggered but slipped aside. Glass glinted as he slashed. Faris parried with a blow that snapped bone. The sailor dropped the bottle and fell to his knees, cursing.
    Faris felt Jane’s hand on her sleeve, but her voice seemed to come from far away. “Let’s go. Hurry, let’s go.”
    â€œGet up.” Faris’s voice grated in the silent room. Her bubble of hilarity was gone. It took no effort to speak steadily.
    The sailor looked up. At her words, he groped for the bottle neck with his good hand.
    â€œDon’t do that,” said a man’s voice as smooth and cool as buttermilk. “Stand back, your grace, and put the poker down.”
    Faris blinked and stepped back. At the door, beside Portia, stood a blond man, dressed in badly cut black. In his hand was a small but formidable looking pistol.
    â€œLet the man alone, your grace. You’ve alarmed him, sufficiently, I think.”
    Portia gaped at him. Eve-Marie looked relieved.
    â€œWho are you?” demanded Gunhild.

    â€œConsider me a witness,” replied the blond man. “If you have any influence with the duchess, will you use it to persuade her to leave?”
    â€œDuchess?” Gunhild looked bewildered. “What duchess?”
    â€œDo put the poker away, Faris,” said Jane. “Whoever he is, he’s perfectly right.”
    Faris lowered the poker slowly. “His name is Tyrian.” Her voice sounded distant but otherwise quite normal. “I think he works for my uncle.”
    â€œHow nice,” said Jane. “May we go now?”
    Gunhild began to sniffle slightly.
    Eve-Marie put her arm around Gunhild’s shoulders and shook her gently. “Idiot.”
    â€œI know,” said Gunhild, hanging her head.
    Jane produced a flawlessly clean handkerchief and gave it to Gunhild. “Must we discuss it here?”
    â€œYes, let’s go,” said Portia.
    Gunhild blew her nose.
    The sailor cursed comprehensively.
    â€œI believe that makes it unanimous. Or would you prefer to stay and explain to the authorities?” Tyrian asked Faris.
    Faris eyed him defiantly. “I’ll go. But I’m keeping the poker.”
    â€œBy all means,” said Jane. “A most useful object, the poker. I had no notion.”
    Tyrian bowed them out, paused on the threshold to threaten the sailor, and closed the wine shop door softly. “I suggest we hurry.”

4
    â€œIf you can’t speak sensibly, you can leave.”
    D ame Villette stopped Faris after the first lecture the next day. “The Dean asked me to send you to her office.”
    Faris’s eyes widened. She thought, Does the Dean know everything that happens within the gates of Greenlaw? “Do you know why?” She hoped her expression held only innocent surprise.
    â€œNo, but I’m sure she will mention it at some point in your conversation. Come to see me when she’s finished with you.”
    Faris left the lecture hall reluctantly. Had someone told the