By the time she reached him, his conversation had ended and the other teacher had waded into the flock of students in search of his trainees. Professor Dano’s eyes crinkled in worry as she approached, but he didn’t let it enter his voice as he said, “Mina, is everything okay?”

She spat out the speech she’d prepared, the words running into one another and shaking much more than they had when she’d practiced. “Professor Dano, I need to do some follow-up research for my essay, based on what I learned from our trip to the city. My friends have agreed to help me. I was hoping that you could . . .” She faltered.

In her mind, Pixit prompted her. «Meet with Vira.»

“Meet with our teacher, Vira, who has been training us in flying, to discuss . . .”

«The next step in our training.»

“. . . the next step in our training, while I do my research.” There. She’d gotten it all out.

Professor Dano blinked owlishly at her. She wondered if she should have hinted more, or been clearer, or whether it was better (as they’d all decided last night) to be cryptic. At last, he spoke. “I don’t know if it would be wise.”

She swallowed. She wanted to retreat, but this was too important. “I have questions that really need answers.”

His eyebrows shot up. She realized he’d never heard her sound so determined before. She hadn’t raised her voice, but she hadn’t wavered, either. “Last time you had questions, you weren’t so careful who you asked,” Professor Dano said. “Perhaps you should ask me.”

It was a reasonable thing to suggest. Her mouth felt dry. She felt as if her face was flushed as red as a tomato. “It wouldn’t be the same.”

He studied her for a moment longer, and she wished she could flee. “I suppose it wouldn’t be,” he said. “It wasn’t for me.”

He understands!

«I knew he would.»

No, you didn’t.

«I hoped he would,» Pixit amended.

“It won’t do for you and your friends”—​Professor Dano glanced at Jyx, Ferro, and Zek, who were all waiting for Mina by their beasts—​“to be idle while I speak with Teacher Vira. You should practice your flying in her absence. Perhaps work on long-distance flight to improve your endurance.”

Mina felt every muscle in her body unknot, and she wanted to slump into a relieved puddle on the grass. “Exactly what we had in mind.”

She felt Pixit’s pride beaming into her. «You did it!»

“Very good,” Professor Dano said. “I will tell her not to expect you four back before dinnertime. After that, I expect you to be safe and sound within the walls of Mytris.” He paused, then added, “Understand that an endurance flight involves certain risks. I would not approve this if I did not think you showed potential. Don’t make me regret my trust in you.”