The morning had seen Trenor returned to his normal horsey self. Karal had settled him in his stall with a blanket and a warm mash, and come back to the dorms for a shower and morning prayers ( Read more... )

He felt cold today, far colder than usual. Trenor woke up, stretched, and when he struck the stable wall, his eyes shot open ( Read more... )

Altra was off somewhere, having left Karal at the door to his room after the Dawn Rites. This wasn't a problem; he'd be back soon enough, and Karal knew his way around ( Read more... )

Karal woke up. And was immediately very confused ( Read more... )

Karal wasn't chewing on a rubber bone. That would just be silly. He was simply lying under the blanket because his ears were cold ( Read more... )

( Cut for...doggie style? )

It was a pleasant day, so Karal had the window open while he sat at Evey's desk. Altra was sprawled lazily across it, half-asleep, and Karal sipped his tea as he reviewed his notes from the week ( Read more... )

It felt odd to be back in Karse, as if he'd been gone for ten years, twenty, an entire lifetime. As if it had been a hundred years since he'd climbed these stairs, a thousand since he and Ulrich had set out for Valdemar. As if maybe that Karal had been someone else completely ( Read more... )

He was exhausted, but Karal couldn't sleep. Too many thoughts were running through his head. Altra was fast asleep at his feet and Evey fast asleep in front of him, which meant he had to move very carefully as he slipped out of bed to avoid waking either of them ( Read more... )

Their classes were done, they were packed, and so Karal and Evey were leaving for Valdemar. It wasn't quite so much fun as a Homecoming carnival, but they would get to spend the week in a palace, which helped make up for it.

Karal squeezed Evey's hand as they followed Altra through the portal, grateful she was coming with him. (And if she had ( Read more... )