The lesson on herbal medicine had been fascinating. Bali tucked the recipe for a tonic to prevent nausea into the stiff leather case that held the notes he had taken during his lessons that evening. Recipe safely stored, Bali turned to head for the sparring house.

They were being taught methods of immobilizing an opponent without injuring them. The Nightwatch was taught such techniques, but Bali had never thought he would have to learn them. Instead of the doorway, he found himself facing Thask Rea, the teacher for the herbal lesson. They were alone. The other students had left.

“Senior. Was there something else?” Bali said.

“I have an additional assignment for you,” she said, handing Bali a leather scroll case. “Normally you would not see this for a year or more, but Lu i...

Please subscribe to keep reading.