Read Online Seventeen Stones by Vanessa Wells - Free Book Online Page B

nice
change: she’d spent most of her life hauling water to bathe in, and dreading the
chilly outhouse all winter.  Emptying chamber pots was a task that was only
bearable since her powers had developed enough to levitate them. 
     
    The
bathroom also contained an area with three vanities for dressing their hair in
the mornings.  The girls would share a study.  In it sat four desks, three
large leather armchairs, and matching sofa.  All were well worn but clean and
comfy.  There was even a small fireplace to keep the chill out of the air on
winter nights.
     
    The
girl’s dorm looked like a three story building on the outside, but when you
stepped inside you realized it was much larger.  The entire first floor was
nothing but kitchens and dining areas.  The stained glass from the skylight was
so high that you couldn’t even see what the design was from the top of the
triple stairway.  Mia quickly decided that the red, yellow, and blue glass moved
itself around at will.
     
    The
dining areas were curious.  Some of the tables were giant affairs built for
sixty or more, and some of them were tiny single person sitting arrangements
meant for sipping a delicate cup of tea while reading a lady-sized book.  But
most of them were oval or square, mismatched and comfortable, seating four to
eight in wooden chairs worn smooth by generations of loving polishing and student
derrières.
     
    Once
Emma left, Mia fought off her sense of loss by arranging her wardrobe.  It
shouldn’t have held all the dresses, uniforms, alchemy supplies, and newly
acquired books, but she didn’t run out of room.  Each time she unpacked an item
there was a spot for it ready and waiting.  She was beginning to truly understand
the appeal of being wanded.
     
    The
shiny new professional-grade alchemy cauldron took pride of place on a shelf. 
She would have the pleasure of transferring it to the classroom tomorrow, but
for now she flicked an imaginary bit of fluff off of it.  It had an adjustable
flame that automatically heated or cooled potions to the proper temperature and
a set of matching spoons and ladles.  Emma had a gift for flames.  Mia didn’t. 
If she wanted her potions to turn out she needed this cauldron.  At
least that’s what she’d told Emma in the store begging to be allowed to buy it. 
Her guardian hadn’t been fooled, but as she had two pounds of leviathan scales
in her own basket (at fifteen gold a pound!) she didn’t argue as much as she
might have. 
     
    Mia
hadn’t quite finished unpacking when a girl walked in.  She had long, curling
brown hair that fell down her back and bright green eyes.  She was carrying one
bag while a veritable flotilla levitated behind her.  She smiled in a friendly
sort of way, and walked over to the bed closest to the bathroom.  “Has anyone
picked this one yet?” Mia shook her head and the girl dumped a large trunk, two
small bags and a hard sided case onto the bed with an audible thunk.   “I’m Vivian,
from Southrun.”  Mia introduced herself and didn’t get another word in edgewise
for a quarter of an hour.  Vivian’s hands were quite as fast as her mouth,
which was saying something.  She pulled a neat box out of the trunk and stored
it on one of the vanities.  The hard sided case was placed carefully in
wardrobe, for, Mia was informed, it contained all of Vivian’s art supplies. 
Mia obligingly perused a thick sketchbook while Vivian stowed frock after
colorful frock away.  Mia quickly realized that either the dresses or case were
spelled to prevent wrinkles, because there was no way you could pack clothing
that tightly and have it come out that neat unless there was magic involved.  Vivian
was still unpacking (and still talking) when Sarah, the pale girl from the
village home, walked in. 
     
    Mia
gave her a warm smile as she quickly took possession of the bed closest to the
study.  Sarah returned it as she quietly deflected Vivian’s probing