Devon’s mouth dropped open. “But isn’t that a bit extreme?”

“No, it is not,” said Yenni.

“But you can’t leave! Please! I beg you to reconsider!”

“You will not change my mind, Professor Devon. I will be honest: while I am grateful for your quick thinking in finding a way for me to stay at Prevan, my gratitude will not preclude me from doing what is right. I do not need this class—there is nothing you can teach me about runelore.”

Devon clutched the desk, frowning in thought. After a long, uncomfortable silence he finally answered.

“Perhaps not, but there is still much I can learn from you.” He turned earnest eyes on her. “I apologize. Please don’t leave, Yenni Ajani. I have no say in what Gilles Desroches and the High Magus Council may or may not do, but you’ll hear no more about the deception rune from me.”

“Truly? Do I have your word, Professor?”

He nodded. “Yes. Whatever it takes.”

“Good. Then I will stay on.”

He exhaled, long and relieved. “Thank you. Now let’s put all this ugliness behind us, en? We’ve still got the second half of the school year to get through.” His brow furrowed once more. “Just four moonturns left to us. Is there nothing I can to do tempt you to stay on a year longer? I really do enjoy having you here.”

She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Professor, but I’m needed at home.”

“I see,” he said sadly. “Well, we must do what we must do. I’ll simply have to learn what I can from you in the time we have left.”

“I’m happy to be of service, Professor. And thank you for your understanding. I’ll see you in class tomorrow.”

“I look forward to it.”

Yenni left Professor Devon’s office in high spirits. Perhaps her initial assessment of him was true after all. He was one of the few Creshens she’d met who even attempted to hold the runes of the Sha in the proper esteem.

She went straight back to her suite, intending to spend the next few hours reading ahead in her magic texts. Weysh was coming that evening to take her on one last flight before classes started. She was looking forward to a semester of learning, free of the stress of her father’s illness and the confusion of politics back home.

Until the post arrived an hour later.