Excitement rippled through Lyra’s body as she leaned out of the castle window and spied on the two figures below. She felt the morning breeze blow through her short blond hair as she watched them sally back and forth with jabs, thrusts, and deadly swings. Quickly, she pulled away from the window and scurried under her bed. Stretching against the cold stone floor, she reached into the dark corner and seized the hilt of her forbidden sword. Rising with a swagger, she smoothly slid the sword under the belt of her plain, gray tunic with a practiced flourish. Quietly, she crept to the door of her room and eased it open slightly. Her blue eyes scanned the corridor for any signs of life as she slipped her young, lithe body through the doorway. Tiptoeing down the corridor, she peered ahead for any open doorways that might spell disaster for her plan.

Lyra stiffened as she reached the stone stairway and the dull sounds of voices drifted up to her. Bracing her back against the cold stone, Lyra edged her head around the corner and glanced down at the next landing. It was empty and Lyra swiftly raced down the steps, her bare feet gripping the rough stone steps where they met the wall. The center of the stairway was smooth, eroded by centuries of traffic, but it was also in the center of the steps where dirt gathered and Lyra could not afford to slip on any loose material, which might be present.

Lyra halted just short of the landing and peeked around the corner. The aroma of acids and herbs permeated the air on this floor where Master Malafar taught most of his classes. All of the classroom doors were open, but only one student stood in the corridor in a position capable of seeing her. Lyra recognized him. Walak was the son of a rich Lord and a pompous brat. He had no real comprehension of magic and Lyra was sure that his father had sent him to the Academy just for the prestige associated with having a family member attend classes under the Great Master. Lyra couldn’t imagine what Walak was doing out in the corridor while classes were going on, but she could not afford to be seen by him.