CHAPTER 27
The examination hall had emptied, leaving only those who had passed the written test. Alissa stood among them, her hands clasped behind her back, her heart steady but her mind racing. The second stage of admission into the Citadel had begun-the oral examination, or as it was often whispered among students, the true test.
One by one, names were called, and the candidates disappeared behind the heavy wooden doors that led to the chamber of the Measters. Alissa watched as each returned, some with their heads held high, others pale and shaken.
Then her name was spoken.
"Alissa Valois."
Murmurs rippled through the waiting hall. Some had already noticed her during the written exam-how she had entered the hall meant for scholars, not midwives. Now, as she stepped forward, all eyes followed.
She breathed in and walked past the threshold.
---
The chamber was silent, save for the faint scratching of a quill as one of the Measters noted something upon his parchment. The four men seated before Alissa regarded her with expressions of quiet scrutiny, their robes heavy with the weight of years spent in study.
The eldest among them, a man with a voice like rustling parchment, leaned forward. "You are the only woman in decades to seek such a path. Do you believe yourself capable?"
Alissa clasped her hands tightly in her lap, willing herself to appear composed. "Knowledge is not bound by flesh, nor is wisdom the right of men alone."
A murmur passed between the Measters, but none challenged her words.
Another, a lean man with silver-streaked hair, tapped his fingers upon the wooden table. "Tell me, Lady Valois, what do you know of wolfsbane?"
Alissa hesitated for the briefest moment before answering. "Wolfsbane, or aconitum, is a deadly poison that slows the heart and numbs the limbs before death takes hold. Yet in small doses, it can dull great pain. Its danger lies in the measure."
The silver-haired Measter gave a slow nod, but she did not take it as approval.
The Measter at the far right, a man with sunken cheeks and eyes sharp as a falcon's, now spoke. "If a man comes to you with pain in his chest, his breath short, his skin clammy-what is your diagnosis?"
Alissa's brow furrowed slightly. "If there is no sign of injury, then his heart may be failing. I would seat him upright, loosen his garments, and if I had it at my disposal, administer foxglove to strengthen his pulse."
The Measter's fingers ceased their tapping. "And if you are wrong?"
The air felt heavier. Alissa inhaled, steadying herself. "Then I will learn, and I will do better."
A pause. The sunken-faced Measter's gaze did not waver. "You would gamble with a man's life?"
The words struck her like a blade.
Alissa's hands clenched beneath the table. "A physician does not gamble, my lord. He weighs, he judges, and he acts. To do nothing is the true folly, for death waits not for certainty."
Silence fell over the chamber. Then, the eldest of them gave a slow nod. "We have heard enough."
Alissa rose, bowing stiffly before stepping out.
Outside the Chamber
The waiting hall felt both stifling and vast at once. Eyes turned toward her as she stepped out, whispers creeping along the edges of the space. She barely noticed them. Her hands felt cold.
Her answers had not been perfect. She had hesitated. Should she have elaborated? Was there a better response? Had she ruined her chances?
"Alissa!"
She turned, snapping from her thoughts as Mara rushed toward her, eyes bright with curiosity. "How was it?"
Alissa forced a small smile. "I do not know."
Mara frowned. "What do you mean? You were in there for quite some time-it must have gone well."
Rhiannon stood further back, arms crossed, watching carefully. Alissa caught the hesitation in her stance.
"I should have answered differently," she admitted. "I should have-"
"Oh, stop that," Mara huffed, linking arms with her. " Let's wait for the results before you start mourning your failure."
Rhiannon exhaled, stepping forward at last. "Come, tell us everything."
Alissa let herself be pulled along, ignoring the stares that still followed her.
----
Mara tugged Alissa toward a quiet corner of the hall, her excitement barely contained. "Tell us, what did they ask?"
Alissa sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Everything and nothing at once. They asked of wolfsbane, of failing hearts-"
"And?" Mara pressed.
"And I answered," Alissa said simply. "But I cannot say if it was enough."
Rhiannon gave her a long, knowing look. "You are too harsh on yourself. If you were a fool, they would have dismissed you within moments."
Alissa opened her mouth to argue but hesitated. Perhaps they were right. Still, the gnawing uncertainty remained.
As she exhaled, her fingers absentmindedly traced the delicate silver bracelet on her wrist.
"Oh?" Mara's eyes gleamed with mischief. "What's this?"
Alissa stilled.
"It looks like a lover's token," Rhiannon noted, her voice laced with curiosity. "A finely crafted one at that."
Mara gasped dramatically, clutching Alissa's hand. "You do have a sweetheart!"
Alissa couldn't help but smile, warmth seeping through her worries. Her thoughts drifted to Adam-the way he had placed the bracelet upon her wrist, the weight of his gaze, the quiet promise between them.
"So you do!" Mara nudged her. "Who is he? A noble? A scholar?"
"A knight?, oh I love forbidden romance." Rhiannon added, smirking.
Alissa shook her head, biting her lip to suppress her laughter. "He is... none of your concern."
Mara gasped in mock offense. "How cruel! Keeping secrets from your dearest friends."
Rhiannon chuckled. "Leave her be, Mara. We shall uncover the truth soon enough."
Mara huffed but grinned. "Very well. But if you start sneaking off to moon over some lover, I will demand an introduction."
Alissa shook her head, the heaviness in her chest easing slightly. For the first time since arriving at the Citadel, she felt something close to happiness.
Mara crossed her arms, still eyeing Alissa with playful suspicion. "I shall not forget this, you know. When we truly begin our studies, I expect full disclosure."
Rhiannon smirked. "You assume we will all pass."
Mara scoffed. "Of course we will. You think the gods would dare deny us?"
Alissa chuckled, shaking her head. "I admire your confidence."
Rhiannon tilted her head, observing Alissa with a quiet certainty. "When we truly begin our studies at the Citadel, let us be friends."
Alissa blinked at her, surprised by the solemnity of her tone. Then she smiled, something warm and sure settling within her. "Yes," she said. "Let us be friends."
Mara grinned. "Then it is decided. From this day forth, we are bound by fate and foolish ambition!"
They laughed together, the tension of the long day momentarily forgotten.
----
The meeting had drawn to its end, and Alistair stood at the head of the table, his hands pressed firmly against the worn wood as he surveyed the gathered knights and advisors. "We have lingered long enough," he declared, his voice steady and resolute. "Our affairs here are concluded. We leave at dawn."
There were nods of agreement, though some exchanged brief glances of surprise. The plan had been to stay a while longer, to ensure stability before their departure. But Alistair gave no room for debate. With a curt nod, he turned and strode out of the chamber, the heavy wooden doors groaning as they swung shut behind him.
Elias followed him, the distance between them closing as they reached a quieter part of the keep, away from the lingering men and the dim glow of torchlight. Here, where the air was thick with the scent of damp stone and cold night, he reached out-his fingers brushing against Alistair's arm, halting him.
Alistair stiffened but did not turn.
"Alistair." Elias' voice was softer now, as if saying his name might be enough to change his mind, to make him stay. "Please."
Alistair did not speak, but when Elias moved closer, lifting a hand to his face, he caught his wrist-firm, unyielding. Their gazes locked in the dim corridor, Elias searching his face for something-anything-but Alistair's expression remained guarded, a wall he would not let fall.
"Don't," Alistair said, his voice quiet, yet resolute.
Elias swallowed hard, his throat tightening. "You won't even look at me?" he whispered, his free hand gripping the front of Alistair's tunic, desperation creeping into his touch. "I love you."
Alistair's body tensed, his breath hitching just slightly-but he did not turn. He did not speak.
He only hesitated for a moment-just a moment-before releasing Elias' wrist and walking away.
As Alistair disappeared into the darkness, Elias stood there, his breath unsteady, his fists clenched at his sides. The silence around him felt suffocating, thick with the weight of what had just happened.
A sudden movement in the shadows caught his attention.
One of the knights-Sir caven stood a short distance away, half-hidden by the dim torchlight filtering through the corridor. His eyes were wide with shock, his posture tense as if he had just witnessed something beyond comprehension.
Elias' gaze snapped to him, and for a long moment, neither of them spoke. The knight-one of the younger ones, sworn to Alistair's service-opened his mouth as if to say something but quickly shut it, glancing away as if unsure whether to acknowledge what he had seen.
Elias straightened, his expression shifting into something colder, more composed. He forced a smirk, masking the raw wound Alistair had just carved into him. "See something interesting?" his voice was low, laced with warning.
The knight hesitated, then quickly shook his head. "No,sire."
Elias let out a quiet chuckle, though there was no amusement in it. He stepped forward, forcing the knight to hold his gaze. "Then forget it."
The knight swallowed hard and nodded before turning on his heel, walking away as if eager to rid himself of what he had just witnessed.
Elias exhaled, running a hand through his hair before casting one last glance in the direction Alistair had gone. Then, without another word, he too stepped into the night, disappearing into the shadows.
----
The morning sun bathed the Citadel in golden light, though the air still carried the crisp chill of dawn. In the courtyard, Alissa stood with Mara and Rhiannon, her belongings packed and ready for the journey home.
"So, you'll return once the results are announced?" Mara asked, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.
Alissa nodded. "If they decide I'm worthy."
Rhiannon scoffed, crossing her arms. "They'd be fools not to. When we meet again, we won't just be acquaintances-we'll be sisters in study."
Alissa smiled, though uncertainty still sat heavy in her chest. Had she done enough? She wasn't sure.
A stable hand led her horse forward, and as she prepared to mount, Rhiannon's sharp eyes caught the glint of the bracelet on her wrist. She smirked and nudged Mara.
"She keeps touching it."
Mara grinned. "And yet she insists it means nothing."
Alissa sighed, shaking her head. "Are you two ever going to let this go?"
Mara pretended to think. "Probably not."
Rhiannon chuckled. "One day, you'll tell us the full story. All secrets come out eventually."
The stable hand handed her the reins, and she turned to face her friends one last time.
"Then I suppose I'll have to return and let you pry as much as you want."
Mara pulled her into a quick embrace, while Rhiannon gave a small nod, her gaze warm despite her usual sharpness.
Alissa climbed onto her horse, gripping the reins tightly as she steadied herself. She cast one last glance at the towering walls of the Citadel before riding forward.