Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 69923 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69923 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Nitsa just shrugged. “How many famed battles do you know that involved a cow? For once, I don’t think they’re being cruel. They’re just being realistic. Sisypheans are destined for positions in the army that don’t see a lot of combat. The medical battalion, messengers, sentries, border watchers, trackers, weapons-making. We’ll still do our part, Aella. But not right now. Not today.”
“So... we sit here.”
They all leaned back against the stands, glistening sweat shining on their foreheads.
“We sit here.”
At the end of time, it was a relief to march inside the cool castle and head to field medicine. Tycho, Nitsa, Theron, and Ionna took me inside the lecture wing, down the hall, and up a spiral staircase. Two doors awaited us at the top. Sirena and her feathered companion disappeared through the door on the right.
That was reason enough to turn and drag my sweaty body into another bath. She was too busy barking orders at her group and making all the decisions to worry about me sitting in the stands, but now that we were in close proximity again, I had a feeling she’d finish what she stuttered to say that morning in the stadium.
Squaring my shoulders, I went in and stopped—mouth hanging open.
“Beautiful.”
Was I dreaming? I couldn’t be. I wasn’t hot, sticky, and achy in the dreams where I imagined the home I’d build of windows, windows, and windows—spreading warmth and freedom through all four walls and the ceiling.
This room was my imagination come to life. Double-paned windows let the light in, but the heat out. Matter of fact, a cool breeze enveloped me as I stepped over the threshold—soothing my burnt skin.
Hugging the windows were potted trees of all types, bearing plump, delicious fruit. Some of them I’d never seen before. In the middle of the room, the space was cleared out to make room for ten desks. My friends gathered around one, settling into a routine now familiar to them.
“A greenhouse. Why can’t every classroom be like this? It’s amazing.”
“It’s actually an orangery,” said a melodic, feminine voice. “But I thank you for the compliment.”
A short, stout woman with a shaved head and russet skin brushed past me and plucked a reddish-pink fruit off one of the trees. She was dressed unlike anyone I’d ever seen in or out of Deucalion. Flowing floral silks covered her in layer upon layer that moved as she did. “For you, dear.”
I fumbled to catch the tiny, bumpy thing. “What is it?”
“Lychee. They’re exclusive to the Isles of Paradise, and this room.” She clapped. “Come, come, Aella Galanis. With you here, our little flock is finally complete. Take your place anywhere.”
I took my place between Ionna and Nitsa. Standing directly across from me, Sirena did her best to telepathically explode my head.
“Forgive me while I repeat a few things for our latest arrival’s benefit. My name is Cassia Moralis, daughter of Demeter. There are very few of us in Olympia. It is my honor to be chosen, and to pass on her gifts and knowledge to all of you.” Instructor Moralis plucked another fruit off a tree and tossed it at Cleon, one of the Sisyphean boys. “Identify.”
“Elderberry,” he replied. “It’s used to treat coughs, burning throats, and flu.”
“Well done.” Moralis fixed on me. “In an ideal world, there would be so many children of healing gods, we’d have a dozen tasked to each mora, or unit. As it is, there are only thirty alive now with the power to heal serious injuries. Two are employed at the academy, most are in the private employment of noble families, five are with the medical battalion, and the rest reside within the imperial palace.
“I tell you this so you’ll have no delusions. When you’re out on patrol and tragedy strikes, help is not close by. Do not make the mistake of believing this class can be taken lightly.” Among the silk and sweet-smelling fruit, I did rid myself of a delusion: Moralis wasn’t someone to underestimate.
“Out there, the only help you’ll find is from the ones who’ve always been there for you: Mother Gaia and Mother Demeter. They grow the medicines that will heal you, soothe your pain, and grant you that little extra time to get to the medical battalion. So, do not disrespect yourself and your comrades by slacking off in this class. My life does not depend on your attention. All of yours do.”
She was still looking at me, so I said, “Understood, Madame Moralis. I’m excited to learn.”
Her face changed so suddenly, the beaming smile made me step back. “Ooh, Madame. So formal. Cassia will do, dear.” She clapped, cutting off my reply. “Now. Last week, we talked about the medicinal properties of bark. This week, we’ll discuss the benefits we get from certain leaves. Take your books out if you must, but I want you walking around, seeing them, feeling them, committing their scent, sight, and feel to memory. Starting here with the neem tree...”