“There’s nothing for it. You’re going to have to cheat.” Kytto scowled at her, as if his idea was her fault.
Geneve picked up a breastplate from the floor, walking it to a pile. Her Trial was next month. She was out of time. “I don’t want to cheat.”
“Do you want to die?”
“No.”
“Then you need to cheat.”
“How?” Geneve dropped the breastplate with a clatter. The Smithsteel never scratched, no matter how indelicate she was with it. “How do I beat fifty Novices who can use the Storm without it at my side?”
“That’s not the hard part,” Kytto said.
“It feels hard!”
“The hard part is the rest of the Trial, because we don’t know what it is. There could be tigers.”
“You’re not helping.”
“Sorry.” Kytto hid a grin. “They’ve never used tigers.”
“This isn’t funny.”
“I think it’s funny!” Kytto barked a laugh. “You Knights and your Trials.”
“I’m not a Knight.” Geneve scowled. “I’m just me!”
“Good,” he said, grin fading to an easy smile. “You’re one of two people who don’t piss me off.”
“Who’s the other?”
“A fair-haired maiden.” He touched the side of his nose. “I’ll never tell.”
“What will you never tell?” Tilly stood at the base of the stairs, her customary interruption point. Geneve didn’t know how she managed to creep up on them in full armor every damn time, but the Chevalier walked on surprisingly quiet feet.
“Truth to a sinner,” Kytto said. “What brings you to the dungeon?”
“Not the company.” Tilly walked inside with the oiled Tresward precision Geneve was used to seeing. She’d started walking a little like that herself. The Knights taught her perfection, and she learned as best she could. She didn’t have Vertiline’s slender poise; Geneve was strong like Kytto.
“I hope you get the plague.” Kytto coughed.
“That’s it!” shouted Geneve.
Vertiline eyed her, one arch eyebrow raised. “You want me to get the plague?”
“Yes! I mean, no. I mean, not really.” Geneve pressed her lips into a line so she wouldn’t say anything stupid. “I’m going to pass the Trial. I need your help.”
“You do?” Vertiline admired a glass blade on a rack. “Why would I help you?”
“Because I know who’s kiss it was to give.”
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