THANKFULLY, the next day it was an individual exercise. Asmeen still had had to sit next to Aven, but she'd ignored him the entire time. Except for a few whispered insults that she was sure Elyn had noticed.

They'd had to write in runes, the ancient language that was still used in worship. Asmeen's head was pounding. Even after Dara and Osoric's plentiful warnings...well, things were indeed getting difficult, and only on the fourth day. Runes were notoriously tricky, both to remember and to use.

She knew she'd made at least a few mistakes. But, at least, so had Aven, given what she'd seen by sneaking glances at his work. At this point, they were both openly competing with each other. Not that she'd ever attempt to sabotage his work, and she was pretty sure he wouldn't either—because whatever else he was, she could tell Aven wasn't a cheat. Still, it was obvious he desperately wanted to get in.

She'd escaped the field as early as she could—before Aven—and was waiting for Wylla. Elyn was waiting beside her. Asmeen couldn't help glancing at Aven sometimes. He seemed frustrated, writing faster than Asmeen had seen him do, his lips pouted in a definite frown.

Aven ended up finishing at about the same time as Wylla and walked out at a great distance from the three of them. Today, apparently, Nara couldn't meet them out, which meant she'd head straight home.

"It was difficult, wasn't it?" Wylla said. She let out a breath, her cheeks puffing out. "And it's only the fourth day."

Elyn shrugged. "Well, they did warn us. This is why I tell you to study."

"I didn't really go over runes that much yesterday," Asmeen admitted. "I figured we'd be doing them much later."

"You can never be too careful," Elyn said. That seemed to be her life's motto.

"Asmeen Dasterian!"

Asmeen stopped, turning. Someone had called her name.

Finally, she spotted a tall girl walking towards her briskly, with...Aven beside her? She blinked.

The woman reached her, Aven at her side with crossed arms. He was looking resolutely away, so she ignored him as well.

"You are Asmeen Dasterian?"

Asmeen nodded. "That is I. And you are?"

"Alda Verena. I'm Nyma's friend," she said. "You know him already," Alda said, glancing at Aven, who was glaring at the ground.

"Yes," Asmeen said slowly. What was this about?

"Well," Alda said, "I've been watching you make things for Nyma for years now. Scarves, skirts, blouses—I just saw the new scarf you made her, and I wanted to ask if you could make one for me?" Her eyebrows were raised, but there was no demand in her voice.

Asmeen hesitated, glancing at her sisters. "I—I'm not—"

"I'll pay you, of course," Alda said, as if that had been obvious.

Asmeen blinked. "What?"

Alda nodded. "I'll pay for the material, and five gold coins for the scarf and your time." She gave Asmeen a smile. "I'm sorry for being so sudden, but the scarf you made Nyma really was beautiful, and of course I wouldn't need it immediately."

Asmeen bit her lip, looking at her sisters again.

"She'll do it," Wylla said, stepping forward. She ignored Asmeen's gaping. "Is there a specific pattern you want?"

Alda grinned. "I would like to discuss that with you," she said, looking at Asmeen.

"Well," Asmeen said, giving Wylla a stare. "Now that the decision is made, yes, we should probably discuss it." She pursed her lips. "Do you have time now?"

Alda nodded. "Of course. Let me walk with you."

To Asmeen's surprise, even Aven fell in step with them as they began walking to their house. She was still ignoring him as she talked with Alda about the color and design the older girl wanted. She thought she had a clear idea of what Alda had in mind by the time they reached their house.

"That's where you live?" Aven said, opening his mouth for the first time.

Asmeen looked at him, trying to read his expression. He looked mildly surprised. "Yes."

His face became closed-off again, and he nodded, looking away.

"Well," Alda said. "It was nice talking to you."

Asmeen gave her a nod. "I should have it in a week. You can pay when I give it to you."

Alda smiled. "Thank you. Or, can I just send the money through Aven? He can pass the scarf to me as well."

Asmeen shrugged. "I'm fine with that."

"Thank you, then," Alda said. She gave all three of them and walked off with Aven, disappearing into the maze of streets.

As soon as they were gone, Asmeen gave Wylla a slap on her arm.

"Ow!" Wylla said, springing away. She rubbed the offended arm, giving Asmeen a wounded look. "What was that for?"

"Why did you agree to that?" Asmeen hissed.

"Let's talk about this inside, yes?" Elyn interrupted, glancing around.

Asmeen sighed and nodded. It wouldn't do to have an argument right in the middle of the road, so she waited as Elyn knocked. This time, Azol opened the door again, and, after the daily questions and answers, they were allowed to go up.

As soon as they reached their room, Asmeen hit Wylla again. Lightly.

Wylla scowled at her and sat on the bed. "Oh, come on, Asmeen. I didn't do anything wrong, you know that."

"You didn't even ask me!" Asmeen exclaimed, throwing her hands up. "What if I couldn't do it?"

"Well, I knew you could," Wylla said, her face set. "There was really no reason for you to refuse. Also, you're getting paid. I don't see the problem."

"Elyn?" Asmeen asked, turning to the third sister, who was completely ignoring the both of them.

Elyn pulled on one of their older dresses and turned to them. "She should have asked, but knowing you, you wouldn't have made a decision. And it's for your own good."

"How?" Asmeen asked, taken aback. She would have expected Elyn to be on her side. "Won't it take time away from my studies? Weren't we supposed to be focusing on that, and nothing else?"

Elyn shrugged. "Yes, but even I agree that you need a break. It's not like making a scarf is hard work for you. And you enjoy it."

"Exactly," Wylla said, her eyebrows raised earnestly. "You're getting paid for something you enjoy to do. There's really no problem."

"I—" Asmeen sighed. She wasn't quite sure why she was upset either. It made sense, after all. She'd get paid, too. "But what happens if father finds out?"

"Finds out what, that you're selling things you've made?" Wylla asked, folding her arms. "We'll just tell him you were doing a favor for a friend. If he finds out." The way she said if made Asmeen slightly worried.

"He wants me to completely focus on the Flower Children. And besides, he doesn't really like me sewing, you know that."

"So what?" Wylla said, her eyes wide. "He doesn't have to find out. Ever. We'll hide it. And if he, somehow, sees it, we'll just say that it's an old project."

"It's not like he's aware of current fashion trends in any case," Elyn muttered.

"Papa is," Asmeen said. But even she knew she was running out of reasons to support her argument.

Wylla gave her an unimpressed look. "Stop worrying. Make your scarf while taking breaks from studying. It's really not as big of a deal as you think."

Elyn nodded. "You make your scarf. I'll get the material for you today, when I go to work. What color wool, or whatever, do you need?"

Asmeen sighed. "I'll tell you before you go."

"That's settled, then," Elyn said simply. "But, for now, we really should—"

"Study," Wylla finished, looking sour. "I want to be a Flower Child, but clearly you two are desperate." Her face was almost disdainful. Disappointed.

Asmeen threw her an offended look.

"Not desperate, dedicated," Elyn said, giving Wylla a significant look. "As you should be."

"I am," Wylla said, shrugging. "I'm just not willing to overwork myself for this, either. And I don't think that's what Dara would want."

Elyn pursed her lips. "We are not overworking ourselves. And, anyways, it's only for a few more weeks. Then we can all relax."

"True," Asmeen said. She left the bed to change, Elyn already settled at the desk with her notes. Despite what she'd said, she dreaded going to study the same notes for...well, she didn't know how many times she'd studied them.

But, by thinking of her resolve to beat Aven, and by promising herself that it was only for a few more weeks, she managed to bend her head and stuff all the information into her mind again.

See you next chapter!