The Skyhome Academy
Chapter 27: The Growing Study Group

Rose and Simon put their backpacks aside and sat down at an out of the way table in a corner of the library. “Doesn’t look like anyone’s around,” she noted quietly. “Perfect spot for some rule breaking.”

“Do you think it’s unfair to expect Emma to tell us about the autopsy?”

“This was her idea—before she even told me about it, she’d already asked Dr. Ramos if she could observe when he examined the griffon.”

“It’s amazing she’d risk so much trouble on her own. …⁠I’m starting to worry that we’re a terrible influence on her,” Simon joked.

Rose laughed. “Maybe a little. But she seems happier lately. I’d still like to see her make more friends or show some interest in romance. But still no luck there, even with her extra free time.”

“‘Extra free time?’”

She winced. “That was supposed to be a secret. …⁠The other day I saw Mei in a castle servant’s dress. When I asked her about it she admitted that she’d been taking some of Emma’s shifts. Though she made me promise not to tell anyone, so keep quiet about it.”

“Why would she want to hide the only nice thing she’s ever done?”

“I guess she still sees chores as beneath her.”

“On the plus side, apparently saving her life is enough to make her like someone.”

“Is that all it takes?” Rose laughed again.

She heard footsteps, and soon saw Emma and Mei approach. The group exchanged greetings and the new arrivals sat down. They all placed some books and papers on the table to make the gathering appear innocuous. Mei silently created a mind link among the four of them.

“Rose, how was your meeting with the intendent?” Emma sent to the group.

“Great. I didn’t get in any trouble since no one else was close enough to save the prince. Baron Tessel was singing my praises.”

“That’s a relief.”

“He wouldn’t tell me if it was really an accident though—and he asked me not to share any speculation that it wasn’t for the sake of the academy’s reputation. So don’t talk about this outside the study group.”

The others nodded, and Rose continued. “During the meeting my dad recommended that the Skyhome Tournament be canceled if these crimes aren’t solved by the end of the year. It’s impossible to guarantee the safety of all the high nobles who attend with all this going on.”

“That’s terrible,” Simon sent. “You’ve worked so hard to get through the preliminaries.”

Rose nodded sadly, and then focused on Emma. “Anyway, how did the autopsy go?”

“It was disgusting…but it proved that the prince’s fall was no accident. His griffon was poisoned!”

The other three cadets leaned closer in anticipation, but before the healer could continue there were more approaching footsteps. Rose was pretending to look at one of her text books when she saw Prince Robert and his guards before her.

“Lady Rose, might I speak with you privately?” the royal asked.

“If this is about what happened in the capital then I don’t have anything to say, My Lord.”

He shook his head. “It’s about my recent accident.”

“In that case, you might as well say whatever it is in front of everyone—I’m just going to tell them as soon as you leave.”

The prince sighed and took a seat. He then looked to his head bodyguard. “Mage Averitt, would you be sure no one eavesdrops on us?”

“Yes, My Lord.” Rose had seen this mage throughout the year. His hair was short and dark, with a neatly trimmed beard that saved him from being entirely nondescript. He and his subordinate walked away to watch for interlopers.

“Actually, we can do better than that,” Rose said. “Mei, would you add the prince to our mind link?” The telepath nodded and cast the spell, though there was no visible sign of it.

“If any of what I’m about to say leaves this table, understand that I will be extremely displeased,” Robert began. Everyone else nodded. “My griffon was poisoned, and I suspect Lord Jame’s involvement.” The royal took in their reactions. “…⁠I really thought you would all be more surprised.”

“We already suspected⁠—” Rose began.

“Are you sure you want to tell him about any of that?” Simon interrupted.

She hesitated. “He did already break academy rules by sharing news from the investigation.” Rose looked to her supposed handmaidens. “What do you think?”

“I’m fine with exchanging information, so long as he tells us everything he knows first,” Mei sent. Emma nodded.

Rose then looked expectantly to Simon. “…⁠I’ll go along then.”

“Are you in the habit of asking peasants for permission to act?” Robert asked his fellow noble in confusion.

“We’re all equals here.”

“Not intellectually, of course,” Mei interjected.

Rose looked to her in annoyance. “Any time you want to rein in that bloated ego of yours would be just great.”

The telepath gave a smug look before Rose addressed the prince once more. “We have our own idea about how to investigate the crimes inside the academy this year. If you want in, deal with us without any consideration for titles. At least in private.”

“…⁠Very well.”

“Then let’s have what you know,” Mei sent to Robert.

“My griffon was poisoned by an illegal toxin called ‘Maggot’s Bane.’ It can only be produced by a skilled alchemist using controlled reagents. And according to Mage William, obtaining it without being caught would be extremely expensive.

“I suspect Lord Jame for a number of reasons. He and I had a falling out due to his repeated use of that slur for peasants. Though we’ve been civil in public for the sake of not growing the political schism between our families.”

Robert focused on Rose as he continued. “While I was in the capital I went through with my idea to see Mage Charles. His treatment is progressing well, by the way—he recently came out of his coma, but remembers nothing of the attack.

“But more to the point, I learned during my visit that he’d been attacked with acid magic. That immediately brought to mind how furious Lord Jame was when Mage Charles gave him that dressing down.

“And now that I’ve run afoul of that miserable troll, I’ve also suffered an attempt on my life. One made with a poison so costly that only a high noble could easily have come by it.

“Rose, I came to you because you know Lord Jame as well as anyone—he told me how close your families were before Dawnshire. Do you believe he’s capable of murder?”

“I think he’s hateful enough for it, but I’ve never known him to be that reckless. Still, our only theories involve Margas, Professor Akintola, or a rebel plot. We did hear a traitor threaten you, after all.”

“You think Professor Akintola could be involved?” Robert asked her.

“He knows acid magic, and there’s at least two nobles he doesn’t get along with. He keeps his mount in the same roost as you, though that’s true of Margas and all the important academy staff. How has the professor treated you?”

“He’s always been polite and helpful.”

“That’s good to know—none of us like him as suspect anyway.” Rose then looked to Emma. “What do we know about the toxin?”

“It’s triggered by physical exertion and causes death in a manner indistinguishable from a brain hemorrhage. And until recently it was undetectable—Dr. Ramos said the spell to find it in a body was only published a week ago in an obscure medical journal. Whoever tried to kill the prince most likely wouldn’t have been aware of that, so I believe his fall was meant to be considered an accident.”

Rose nodded to her, and then addressed Robert once more. “My father is doing all he can to find any traitors in the academy, and I trust him to get to the bottom of that. But what he can’t do legally is spy on Margas—so that’s where we come in. Mei’s trying to learn a spell that will help us sneak around after curfew and check up on him. …⁠How’s it coming?”

“I can cast the empathic field, but only over a uselessly short range and at an unreasonable mana cost. But I believe that I’ll be ready to use it given a few more weeks of study and practice.”

“My apartment is adjacent to Lord Jame’s,” Robert added. “And my bodyguards have sensory magic—they should be able to tell if he leaves during curfew.”

“You’re willing to trust them with spying?” Rose asked.

“They’re sworn to serve me before anyone else. I don’t have any concern that they’ll report law-breaking on my part.”

“That helps us out a lot,” Rose admitted. “You should start keeping tabs on him tonight.” He nodded.

“I have another idea, but it’s a bit of a long shot,” Simon added. “I could find out if the Margas family has bought any controlled reagents from my father’s company.”

“Good thinking.” Rose paused to consider the situation. “We still don’t need to decide whether or not we’re going to break curfew until the empathic field is ready. Anyone else have any other ideas? …⁠Okay then. We might as well get to our classwork.”

Rose looked to Robert. Though he had not said anything about it, his wand use implied that he needed help. “As long as you’re part of our little conspiracy, I suppose you could join our study group too,” she reluctantly said aloud. “If everyone’s okay with that?”

Emma nodded, while Mei and Simon shared a resentful glance. “I don’t care,” the telepath said.

“Whatever,” the citizen added.

“Thank you for the offer, but I should be going.” Robert rose from his seat.

“If you’re trying to hide your academic troubles, don’t bother,” Mei said in a bored tone. “It’s obvious that anyone using a wand this late in the year is in danger of washing out.” The prince sat down once more.

“We’d be willing to help you,” Emma offered. “Could you tell us when you started having trouble?”

“…⁠When I failed the academy entrance exam last year,” Robert answered bitterly. “That’s why I took a year off to tour the front lines and study. …⁠I’m sure some of you find my troubles amusing.”

“Yes,” Mei stated.

“Please don’t be cruel,” Emma said disapprovingly. The telepath awkwardly looked away from her.

“No comment,” Simon added, though he gave the prince a withering look.

Robert looked to Rose. “If you want to take a shot at me, don’t let etiquette stop you.”

She shook her head. “As pissed off as I am at you, I don’t want to see you fail. I know how badly you want to be a mage, to protect your kingdom and your family. I know because I feel the same way.”

The prince’s eyes widened. “I…I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry that I ever doubted your understanding of magehood.”

“I accept your apology,” Rose said stiffly. She did not wish to sound too grateful when she still had another reason to resent him.

“I have to admit that I’m desperate for academic help. Both the footmen I brought to the academy are tutors, but I haven’t connected with their methods.”

“Emma has some talent for teaching,” Mei suggested. “If she can keep these two above a 3.0 average, I’m certain she could get you past your wand.”

“You make it sound like you’ve never asked for her help,” Simon teased.

“…⁠Maybe once or twice.”

Inspiration then struck Rose, and she looked to Robert. “Of course, she won’t have any time for you so long as she has to work as castle servant.”

“I have the funds to release her from those duties,” Robert admitted. He turned to Emma. “I’ll see to it immediately if you’ll agree to help me?”

“I’d be glad to. If you’ve held onto any old homework or tests, I’d like to look over them and see if I can figure out your problem areas.”

The prince nodded and rose from his seat. “I’ll return as soon as I can.”

“We’ll be here a while,” Rose reassured him. The royal and his guards departed.

“That was a good idea,” Mei said begrudgingly.

“Thank you, Rose,” Emma added. The noble smiled at her sister.

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