"Perhaps there are spells that will let you learn that," said Violetta. "There's the library in the tower." "Oh no," said Sophie. "Your brother failed you if he did not at least tell you that you should go to the great library. The tower library are too small to have anything of use." "Go to the great library and return with an arm filled with books," said Emalie. "There are master wizards who can guide you about the place to look for spells." "Nothing directly for the tower," said Mistress Matilda. They turned, and she smiled on them. "Or the labyrinth. Or the forest. But there are many, many, many spells in there." She glanced between them. "Some scholars wait for the lectures lest they go down a wrong path and not have the wits to return." "That," said Sophie, "is a silly sort of prudence. Wisdom to abandon a path is needed for true mastery. Who wants to show less during the Scholar's Year?" I do, thought Violetta miserably. Then she pulled herself up. She wanted to show enough skill not to make everyone stare and wonder how she ever received a place, because she wanted no one to notice her. Perhaps she should help the others in her tower, and they might save the lives, and receive any adulation for the deed. "Mistress Matilda," said Sophie, "is there a servant who can lead us to the library?" "I will take you there myself," said Mistress Matilda, and smiled.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2025-05-12 03:38 am (UTC)"Oh no," said Sophie. "Your brother failed you if he did not at least tell you that you should go to the great library. The tower library are too small to have anything of use."
"Go to the great library and return with an arm filled with books," said Emalie. "There are master wizards who can guide you about the place to look for spells."
"Nothing directly for the tower," said Mistress Matilda. They turned, and she smiled on them. "Or the labyrinth. Or the forest. But there are many, many, many spells in there." She glanced between them. "Some scholars wait for the lectures lest they go down a wrong path and not have the wits to return."
"That," said Sophie, "is a silly sort of prudence. Wisdom to abandon a path is needed for true mastery. Who wants to show less during the Scholar's Year?"
I do, thought Violetta miserably. Then she pulled herself up. She wanted to show enough skill not to make everyone stare and wonder how she ever received a place, because she wanted no one to notice her. Perhaps she should help the others in her tower, and they might save the lives, and receive any adulation for the deed.
"Mistress Matilda," said Sophie, "is there a servant who can lead us to the library?"
"I will take you there myself," said Mistress Matilda, and smiled.