Untalented Read Online Free Page A

bell. I’m late as it is and you’re not even changed! Look at you—nettles in your hair, and the mud!—you can’t expect to be allowed into the Great Hall with your tunic like that.”
    Saroya gaped at her and closed her mouth with a click. So much for being the first with news. She headed for the mirror they shared to take stock. Blast Nalini for being right. Saroya rubbed at a smudge griming her freckles. She could do nothing about the grass-stained tunic.
    “I think I have a clean tunic in the chest. Can you dig it out for me while I wash up?”
    Saroya tugged her filthy clothes over her head. She scrubbed her face and then plucked at her tangled hair. By the time Nalini found the clean outfit and tossed it to her, she was somewhat presentable. She twirled around for inspection.
    “You’re fine, let’s go!” Nalini said.
    Tugging on her sandals, Saroya winced at her dirt-caked toes. Nobody would look at her feet, right? She and Nalini hurried out the door towards the Great Hall in the main building.
    A hundred voices whispering rustled underneath the roof timbers of the Great Hall. Nalini and Saroya wedged themselves into the crowd to the left of the doors, close to the front of the hall. They peered over the heads of the other students at the raised dais. Several Adepts already sat to the left of the lectern.
    Conversation in the hall died down as Doyenne Ganarra entered. She wore flowing robes of gray, her hair swept back underneath the official mark of her rank, a rounded gold-embroidered headdress. Five men followed her in. Their long-legged, confident stride contrasted with her smooth, graceful progress. The doyenne reached the lectern, the men taking up positions standing to her right. They wore travel clothes, sturdy leggings, and long dust cloaks. They bore no identifiable House sigils. Each man carried a long sword belted to his waist. Two had quivers with arrows strapped across their shoulders.
    The doyenne cleared her throat before she spoke. Her mellow voice carried surprisingly well to the far corners of the hall.
    “Adepts and students, please join me in welcoming these weary travelers as our guests. They have journeyed all the way from U’Veyle with a request from the king himself.”
    An excited murmur ran through the hall. What could the king want with a ragtag group of orphans and students? It must be something to do with the Adepts. Nalini gave her a puzzled glance. Saroya shrugged as Doyenne Ganarra continued.
    “To honor the memory of Queen Padvai, King Urdig wishes to make several gifts to the people of the realm. The queen believed in educating those less fortunate, and as recognition of the work of the Adepts here in Adram Vale, he offers those of you who will be leaving us this year the opportunity for higher learning in the capital. Not the provincial capital, Tarash, but U’Veyle itself. Those of you graduating in the spring will instead leave us tomorrow.” She turned to the men standing beside her on the platform. “These men are members of the King’s Guards, and will escort you on the journey to U’Veyle.”
    A stunned silence greeted her words. Saroya felt Nalini grip her arm hard, but she was too focused on the doyenne to spare her a look.
    “After dinner, the following students shall return to their rooms to pack up those belongings they wish to take to the capital: Tarmi Ageda, Martezha Baghore, Nalini Ferlen …” All told, twenty-one students would be making the journey. But not Saroya. “King Urdig honors us by giving you this most precious of opportunities. Justify our confidence in your abilities by excelling in all your endeavors. Now, our guests will join us in the dining hall for the evening meal. Please make them welcome.”
    The Great Hall began to empty, and Nalini turned to Saroya, her face stricken. Saroya struggled to hide her disappointment. She could tell from her friend’s expression, fast turning to pity, that she hadn’t succeeded. “It’s all