Carmenna seemed to deflate before her eyes, like a flag that had lost the wind. “So he left me for you,” she said, and Yenni was not at all fond of the assessing way Carmenna’s gaze flitted over her. “And you don’t even want him.” She turned away and laughed bitterly. “Oh, Weysh, you buffoon.”

Sudden understanding lit up the crevices of Yenni’s mind. This woman must be the lover, or former lover, of the dragon. It seemed that tricky Father Esh was hard at work.

“Carmenna,” Yenni said firmly. “It seems to me that we both want the same thing, which is for the dragon Weh-sheh to leave me be. Help me learn about Creshen magic and I will drive him back in your direction, though I must say I think you can do much better.”

Carmenna gave her a hopeless look. “You clearly don’t know much about being Given, and even less about Weysh. When he wants something he puts his everything into achieving it. He’s incredibly hard working and resilient. It’s one of the things I love—loved—most about him.”

“I am not something, I am someone,” said Yenni. “And I am much the same. I will set everything right. You will see.”

Carmenna bit her lip. “I highly doubt this will work, but if you’re willing to try—”

Yenni sighed. She was not one to put things off for long. Now that she had secured her place at the academy, and would be here for the next year, it was time to deal with the dragon once and for all.

“Where can I find him?” she asked Carmenna.

“He likely just finished a class,” Carmenna said, her voice firmer. “It’s a new year, so I’m not sure of his schedule anymore, but there’s a solid chance he’s at the Rearwood. I think now is about the time he meets up with his tracking group.”

“The Rearwood? And where is that?”

Carmenna held out a hand. “Your map,” she said wearily. Yenni handed it to her and Carmenna reached into the folds of her long skirt, pulling out another of those gray writing sticks.

“Here,” she said, and drew an X at the cluster of trees to the north. “Dragons often go there to practice tracking each other by scent through the forest.”

“I see,” said Yenni, retrieving her map. “Then I will go speak with him now. Once I have convinced him to see reason will you consent to tutor me?”

“Yes?” said Carmenna uncertainly.

“Good. My first day of classes is tomorrow. Let us meet back here the day after that. Until then, Carmenna.”

Yenni stood, resolute. The prospect of going back to the counter and explaining why she needed a new tutor made her head ache, so once and for all she must deal with Weysh.