Page 113 of Anathema
“Oh! You’re … dressed.” At the sound of Dolion’s voice, I turned around, not sure if I felt clothed, or fully exposed, the way the garments emphasized every curve of my body.
“Training clothes. For … training. Against a king’s assassin.” Saying it aloud sounded worse than in my head, and I let out a nervous laugh.
“Yes. You’ll be grateful for those.” He nodded at my clothes. “I remember my first day learning glyphs back at the House of Sages. My mentor had asked me to perform the intorquiusz command, and I managed to become completely entangled in my robes. I suspect it was intentional on his part.” He let out a chuckle that brought a smile to my face.
“It’s strange. I’ve worn the same style of dress my entire life.”
“The black dress you arrived in?”
“Yes. I was forced to wear it. And the choker,” I said, running my hand over my neck and realizing I hadn’t bothered to take it off while dressing.
“Whatever for?”
“All cursed women wear them.”
“It seems you and Lord Rydainn have something in common, then.”
His handsome profile came to mind. “The mask.”
“Yes. While he’s required to wear it in public, I think he chooses to wear it most other times.”
“Why?”
“That would be a question for him, I suppose.”
“I don’t think he likes my questions very much.”
“It’s true, he is quite abrasive. I suspect he’ll warm to you in time.” Dolion widened the door and waved me out of the cell. “Now, shall we begin training?”
“You’ll be training me, as well?”
“Yes. Well, I wouldn’t leave you to contend with Lord Rydainn yourself.”
My stomach lurched. “Lord Rydainn? I was under the understanding I’d be training with Torryn.”
“Change of plans. Lord Rydainn has expressed interest in training you himself.”
Somehow, I found that hard to believe. Lord Rydainn regarded me like a mole on his ass that he hoped to burn off at some point.
“I’m afraid I can only serve as a scribe in this case. These glyphs are uncharted territory for me. Zevander is better equipped to physically train you.”
Whatever knots had already wound in my stomach cinched tighter. “Dolion, I don’t think this is a good idea. I appreciate the opportunity to?—”
“A fortnight. Learn the glyphs. Earn your power, and in a fortnight, I will take you away from this place.”
“Two weeks? I don’t have two weeks!”
“The alternative is that you don’t leave, at all. I’ll not dump you in that forest with nothing to defend yourself. The mages who seek you are quite vicious, Maevyth. You’ve no idea what they’re capable of, and they will find you. Whether here, or in your world. They have powers you cannot begin to comprehend. Do you want your sister endangered?”
Of course I didn’t. “Two weeks will drive me mad.”
Huffing, he nodded. “I will attempt to scry. Perhaps that will give you piece of mind, seeing her.”
Hope bloomed in my chest. “I would very much appreciate that. Thank you.”
“Very good.” He jerked his head toward my cell. “Tell me, have you made any headway on the book?”
I glanced over my shoulder to where the puzzle book sat on the table beside my bed. “I managed to open the cover. There was an image on the inside.” I didn’t bother to mention the way the figures moved on the page, seeing as I hadn’t opened it again since the night before to confirm whether, or not, I’d hallucinated that bit.