Chapter 17: Three Limps

Three limping men walked into the lecture hall in formation, and every head turned.

Grant came first, standing as straight as ever, which cost him visibly.

Harry came second, leaning on the wall every third step.

Felix came last, eating a roll with one hand and holding his lower back with the other.

James walked behind them with his hands in his pockets, perfectly well.

"Odds that nobody notices," he murmured, "are zero."

"You said ninety," Felix hissed.

"I was being kind."

They took four seats in the back row.

Grant did not sit.

He stood beside his desk with his chin up and his notebook open on the slanted lid.

"Sit, Mr. Skyreach," said the lecturer.

"I prefer to stand."

"You've never preferred to stand in your life."

"I have started."

Behind him, James lifted two fingers.

A flat cushion rose from under his own seat on a pad of air.

It slid up the aisle and tucked itself under Grant as he finally gave in.

Grant sat, shut his eyes, and did not move for the rest of the hour.

Harry got a cushion too.

Felix got three, and ate one.

The Dean's inspection came at the half hour.

She walked down the center aisle with her hands behind her back and her silver chain swinging.

She stopped at the first row, then the second, then the back.

"Mr. Skyreach," she said. "You are seated."

"Yes, Dean."

"Last week you stood through a four-hour recital."

"Yes, Dean."

"Mr. Mermaid."

"It's Saltmere, Dean."

Keep reading free with an account. Start He Took the Heirs' Emblems, Then Became Their King from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.