He smiled sheepishly. “Ah yes, I’ve read that, but we Creshens are used to spells, you see, so it’s helpful to add a word or two . . .” He trailed off, likely at the dismay on her face. “You know what? You’re right. If we’re going to use runes, we should do it properly. Forget what I said, everyone.”

The class continued, with the students doing their best to make water runes, but despite Professor Devon’s retraction, Yenni could swear she heard a whispered word here and there. She said a silent prayer to the Sha, begging them to forgive the ignorance of the Creshens. As the class went on, a few other Islanders sought out her help. The native Creshens kept their distance, however.

When class was over and they gathered their things to leave, Devon called to her.

“Yenni Ajani, could I have just a minute or two of your time?”

“Oh, of course, Professor.”

Diedre turned her back to Professor Devon and rolled her eyes before leaving. Guilt fluttered in Yenni’s chest as she made her way to the front of the room. She’d needed to speak up, but she liked Professor Devon. He’d been kind to her, and she worried that she’d made him look incompetent in front of his class, and that he would now be annoyed.

But as she approached his podium he looked embarrassed. “I must confess myself mortified.” He laughed nervously. “I meant no offense. You know, I’ve always been drawn to runelore because of the rune hymns. They’re much more organic, closer to source than the unwieldy spells we Creshens use, en?”

“That’s all right, Professor. Apology accepted,” said Yenni, relieved.

“You were a great help in class today.”

Yenni smiled. “I am happy to help, thank you.”

“You know, I would love the chance to talk more intimately about the best practices and culture behind runelore. Feel free to stop by my office anytime, anytime at all.”

“Oh! Then I will, thank you.”

“Anytime!” he said again. “I look forward to seeing you, Yenni Ajani.”

A jet of water slammed Yenni in the side and sent her sprawling to the mud, drenched and winded. She held her spear but her shield went flying and hit the mud with a slap.

“Roll, Kayirba!” yelled Captain Augustin. “You’d be on fire if this was a real battle. You should be working Yoben’s Rainfall!”

She gritted her teeth, gazed up at the blue sky, and ground out the spell. “Source-drawn rain here come and fall.”

A spattering of raindrops sparkled in the sunlight above her and fell on her body and face, barely wetting her further.

“That wouldn’t put out a candle, Kayirba,” said Captain Augustin, and he moved into Yenni’s field of vision. “You may be good with a spear, but you need to work on your spellcraft, en?”