‘Good,’ he said, wincing slightly, ‘then you’ve earned this.’ He reached under his tunic for the iron key, pulled the loop of leather over his head, and placed it around Annev’s neck.
Annev blinked. He’d almost forgotten his victory in the nave, not to mention the promised reward. He fumbled at the key, wondering what advantage it might grant him.
‘Don’t bother asking what it’s for,’ Edra said, seeming to anticipate the question. ‘I was merely instructed to give it to yesterday’s winner.’
Annev stared at the iron key, turning it over in his hands. The teeth were small, widely spaced and uncomplicated. It was the key for a small lock, nothing grand or complex. How could such a simple thing grant any student an advantage, least of all Annev, who could pick all but the most complicated locks? He let go the leather thong and slipped the key under his tunic, still puzzling over the riddle.
‘You’re a smart boy. No doubt you’ll figure it out.’
‘Thank you, Master Edra.’
Edra shrugged. ‘You earned it. No need for thanks.’ He was about to say more but then the door to the boys’ dormitory creaked open and Chedwik’s stocky frame peered out.
‘Told you I heard voices!’ he shouted to the boys inside. ‘Edra’s here to collect us.’ The door swung wide and boys began pouring out of the room.
Edra’s mouth snapped shut and he nodded once to Annev, concluding their conversation. The master stepped back, allowing the students to fill the space.
Titus came out with the first trickle of boys and immediately spied Annev. He wrapped his friend in a fierce hug.
‘You’re early!’ Titus said, releasing him.
‘Earlier than normal,’ Annev said. He looked around. ‘Where’s Therin?’
Titus gestured at the warren of bedchambers behind him. ‘Getting dressed. Want to come in and wait for him?’ Annev shook his head. ‘He’s sorry, you know. About yesterday. He felt bad about stealing your badges.’
‘He felt bad?’
Titus shrugged. ‘You know Therin. He doesn’t think until it’s too late, and he feels bad after. It wasn’t planned.’
Annev wasn’t so sure, but his own plans for the Test of Judgement required both Titus and Therin, and he knew his chances for success would be greatly diminished without them both. Even if Annev were still angry at Therin, he couldn’t risk losing him now.
‘Come on, boys!’ Edra bellowed, clutching his temple. ‘This is your last Test of Judgement. If you’re late, you’ll be disqualified!’
A dozen more boys emerged, a few still lacing their breeches or pulling on shoes and shirts. Annev saw Fyn and his cronies exit with the larger crowd, and he held his breath, momentarily forgetting Titus and their conversation.
Fyn laughed at a joke Jasper made and was mid-breath when he saw Annev standing in the hall. His laughter died in his throat as his eyes drifted to Annev’s ungloved right hand.
Annev lifted his unbroken wrist and waved, demonstrating its wholeness.
Fyn sputtered, searching for words as the crowd carried him forward, his friends pushing him to the front of the line. The bully glanced back once more, his hate-filled eyes searching Annev out.
‘Therin’s impulsive,’ Annev agreed, looking at Titus, ‘but he’s my friend. Even when he’s being selfish and stupid.’
‘Well, that’s good to hear, I guess.’
Annev turned to find Therin standing right behind him. He eyed the scrawny boy in his beige uniform.
‘How much did you hear?’
Therin smiled. ‘Enough. I’ve been standing here buttoning my breeches.’
The boy had been eavesdropping for most of the conversation. ‘So you were going to let Titus apologise for you?’
‘Well … I wasn’t going to interrupt – Titus is much better at that sort of thing.’
‘That’s because Titus is actually humble.’
‘Ouch,’ Therin said, laying a hand over his heart. ‘Now that’s unfair. He’s got reasons to be humble.’
‘You know I’m right here?’ Titus said, waving a hand between his two companions.
Annev nodded at the blond boy, yet his focus remained on Therin. ‘Titus has his strengths and weaknesses, just like you do – just like I do – but he’s also got my back. I can trust him. Can I say the same of you? Or Kenton, or any of the other students?’
Therin’s smile faded. ‘I’m not like Kenton.’
‘It didn’t feel that way yesterday. Felt the exact same, actually.’
‘Let’s go!’ Edra growled. ‘Last chance for you acolytes to prove yourselves.’ He began walking down the hall. The other boys followed at a brisk pace, yet Annev, Therin and Titus hung back, instinctively joining the back of the line. They had just started to walk when Therin spoke quietly.
‘Yeah,’ he said, his head hanging low. ‘I guess I was a real prick yesterday.’
‘Yep.’
Annev and Therin both turned, surprised to hear Titus voice his agreement. The smaller boy looked at them both, his cheeks turning red, yet he did not look away or slow his pace.
‘You were,’ Titus whispered. ‘Stealing Annev’s badges after we all agreed to help each other was mean. Something I’d expect from Fyn or Kenton.’ He paused, taking a breath. ‘But you’re not them, Therin. I know we can trust you when it counts.’
‘Can you?’ Therin said. Annev could see his instinct for self-deprecation warring with feelings of self-doubt and genuine anguish. ‘This right now – what we’re walking towards – is our last Test of Judgement. Only one of us can get the title, and there will never be another chance.’ He shrugged. ‘You’re my best friends, but I don’t want to be a steward either.’ He looked at the floor, staring at the heels of the boys in front of him. ‘I was a jerk yesterday because I thought it would make things easier today.’
Annev studied his skinny friend and realised they’d been struggling with the same dilemma. The Academy was trying to turn them against each other and Annev had nearly allowed it to happen; just a few hours ago, he had made that precise decision.
But now Annev had a new plan – his own plan – and as he considered the costs and possible outcomes, he felt his resolve strengthen. He laid a hand on his friend’s shoulder and squeezed. The boy looked up.
‘I don’t want to fight you, Therin. I want us to work together, like we always do.’
‘Why?’ Therin asked, suspicious. ‘They’ll never let more than one of us pass the test.’
‘Not if we do it their way. But if we do it our way? Maybe.’
‘Our way?’
Annev nodded. ‘We work as a team, like the witgirls yesterday. Fight together. Win together. If we each pull our own weight and finish as a team, maybe we can force the ancients to give all three of us avatar titles.’
Therin gave a low whistle.
‘So bollocks to Tosan and his rules?’
‘Basically.’
Therin laughed. ‘Count me in for that. We’ll probably all lose, but I didn’t think I’d win anyway – not with Fyn and his gang against us. And if there’s a chance we can all become avatars while tweaking Tosan’s nose … that’s the best offer any of us are likely to get. What do you think, Titus?’ He’d been quiet for most of the walk.