“Have you heard the name?” Cassian asked him.
Titus bobbed his head. “Yes, I believe so. He frequents the lower ends of the capital, painting portraits of any willing subject, though he particularly likes the young women.”
My face drooped. “Yep, that sounds like him.”
“But you haven’t heard any shadowed reports of his comings and goings?” Cassian wondered.
“No, but I know a few people in those parts who could make inquiries.”
Cassian chuckled. “What part of my city don’t you know someone in?”
Titus flashed him a mischievous grin. “Well, I’m not exactly welcome at the Conservatory.”
“What’s that?” I piped up.
Titus wrinkled his nose. “The preeminent place for blowhards and braggarts to go when they find reality distasteful.”
Cassian leaned toward me and lowered his voice. “The institution in the capital that studies magic.”
“They should be studying how all those egos can fit on one campus,” Titus quipped.
“So I’m guessing you were kicked out,” I mused.
He puffed out his chest. “Expulsion? Why not go for the ultimate prize when attempting to infuriate those boasters?”
I blinked at him. “So what did they do to you?”
“They created a spell just for me that keeps me from setting foot on campus.” A barking laugh escaped me, and a silly smile appeared on his face. “I suppose I’m being a braggart about that, aren’t I? Nobody else has such an honor, though.”
“Nobody else would consider it an honor,” Cassian pointed out with his own grin.
Titus shrugged. “They had it coming.”
My ears perked up, and I leaned toward him. “What did they do that made you want to be expelled?”
He turned his nose up and sniffed. “A fair damsel among the populace there wouldn’t heed my love letters.”
My mouth dropped open. “Really? That’s it?”
“She also had them printed in their local newsletter under the ‘Bad Prose section. The publication was approved by some of the highest authorities on campus.”
I winced. “Ouch. So how’d you handle it?”
“With my usual poise and grace.”
Cassian’s whispered voice floated over my ear. “He got drunk and started a brawl in front of the main research hall.”
“And that got them mad enough to create a spell just for you?”
“No, it was when I swiped the warden’s magic broom and used it to sweep every lavatory on campus. I would have finished with the front foyer had one of the professors not spotted me carrying my rightfully stolen item.”
Cassian cleared his throat. “As entertaining as your stories are, my dear friend, we should be moving faster, or we won’t make the inn before the coming winter.”
Titus eyed our steed with an uncertain air. “We won’t make it there by nightfall if Niveus can’t carry you.”
Niveus threw back his head and whinnied. Cassian smiled and stroked the side of his neck. “Then you’ll carry us?”
The horse bobbed his head.
