21 Chapter 21 - Days Following The Spell (2/2)
Stella was avoiding him, he just knew it. He was still making progress on inscribing, but he couldn't for the life of him, figure out what he had done to make her upset again. Should he try and talk to her yet? Father had told him to wait a few days. It was over a week. Girls are so confusing.
At lunch he found out that someone had tried to sneak into the camp. Maybe several people. Guards were posted around his carriage for his protection, and that made practicing harder. Knowing he couldn't overcome an adult yet, made him even more nervous.
9 days after the spell:
”Excellent job, Master Joseph!” praised the sword instructor.
Joseph beamed. He could tell he was starting to get some stamina, but he still couldn't compare with the other seven year olds who were training with him. They had been training for several years already. He wished he could spar with them, but because they were slaves, if any of them managed to land a blow, they could get in serious trouble.
When he returned to the carriage after bathing, he was able to draw that beautiful flower again. Of course, Stella was out getting supper, so she didn't get to see it. She had been quiet, and he hoped that meant she was getting better. How long did it take a girl to get over such things? Was he being too sensitive? Maybe tomorrow would be better.
11 days after the spell:
He was almost three-quarters of the way there. If he focused, Joseph could make most of what he wanted visible. It was time to go back to practicing FOOD and TEST FOOD exclusively. He could focus on making the flow steady now.
13 days after the spell:
With a hoot of joy, he did a little dance in the middle of the carriage. Stella was out getting lunch, so he could enjoy his little victory without worrying about upsetting her. He only had about four more days before he could be considered a true mage.
He was in the zone, when Stella informed him it was time for etiquette lessons. Everything was going fine, she had a couple of moments when she blushed, but it was almost as if things were going back to being normal. Then the teacher informed them that they would be starting dance lessons the day after tomorrow and she looked like someone had stabbed her.
Joseph tried to make her feel better by promising not to step on her foot, but she acted like he was going to hit her. The teacher gave the two of them a strange look as they left.
He only needed three hours of sleep, which meant he was away for hours trying to figure out what was wrong. He was sick of this. What could possibly be wrong with her? Was someone doing something to her that he didn't know about? Shavist!
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