"Then what brings the two of you here?"
Elara looked at Lucavion and considered how much of the truth his question deserved.
The simplest answer was the notice folded across her lap. The more troubling answer lay in the two names written upon it.
Had the Academy summoned Elowyn Caerlin alone, Elara could have blamed private instruction, irregular prerequisites, or some clerk attempting to fit a minor noblewoman's education into the Academy's approved categories. Had the notice named Reilan Dorne alone, Cedric could have blamed his martial placement or the documentation attaching him to the Caerlin household.
Instead, both cards had lit at the same table.
The summons had accused them of nothing. It bore no disciplinary seal, named no hostile faculty member, and requested only that they report to Student Affairs with their Academy cards and documents relevant to prior instruction and permanent placement.
Its restraint had given Elara's imagination far too much room.
