Ceri tried a different tactic. “I’m not going to be gone long. I just need something from my room. Something…ladies need.”
That did it. The most reliable way to get a man to get out of your way was to mention anything particular to being a “lady.” Every lady knew that.
“Alright, but hurry back here. They’re sweeping up the last students.”
Ceri headed out into the hallway alone.
In the distance, thunder rumbled.
Chapter Ten
A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT
Alison
The conversation with Alison’s mother had gone better than expected. She was unhappy that Alison had written so little since her move to Wilderise, and she couldn’t understand why Alison had chosen to give up everything she worked for to go live in a place without so much as a long-talker, but all that mattered to her was that Alison was happy and doing well.
And she was. The power-saver research was really coming along by the time the storm arrived. Weyland had managed to improve the design of the power-saver casing significantly, reducing most of the troublesome leaks and producing a design that almost met the theoretical requirements Professor Marin had outlined.
They were so incredibly close to cracking it.
It was a shame to have to delay the research on account of the storm, but it also offered them a chance to test their prototype in a real-world scenario. They’d charged each of the candidate power-saver designs to full capacity during the week and had brought them to the infirmary for use in case the ‘lectrics went out.
The best of those had been brought into the dining hall along with the students who were being treated and a couple of machines required for their care. Keir had checked over the entire temporary setup while Alison helped move tables to clear the floor; the medical equipment reminded her too much of her father’s time in the hospital. Still, she was grateful their research could already be put to good use.
Of their group, the two who were most upset by the storm were Lady Sibba, whose journey back to Herot’s Hollow to begin the school year had to be delayed, and Gwenla, who had called Idris’s office the day before, frantic with worry.
“We have pumps down here to keep the water out and plenty of coal to burn if we lose the ‘lectrics. Oh, but be careful up there on that mountain! I wish you would just come back here. Under a mountain is better than on one when a storm’s coming.”
Alison reassured her that the college was doing everything it could to keep them safe. And even if they’d wanted to join her, the rail-wheelers were exclusively operating in the opposite direction to pull the most vulnerable people in from the coast.
It was only once they were starting to settle in, the makeshift beds made and the last stragglers arriving, that Rinka noticed someone was missing.
“I see Ceri’s roommate over there, but no Ceri,” she said, pointing to the Halfling girl.
“Find that Leo, and you’ll find her,” said Idris. He had taken the spot closest to the tables in order to continue grading the first assignment of the year while the lights were still on.
Alison looked around the dining hall. It was absolutely packed with people—and more than a few pets, including Willow and Barney the dog—but she didn’t see Ceri or Leo anywhere.
"Do you see Leo? I don’t see him either,” she said.
“I’ll bet they’re right outside doing some last-minute measurements,” said Keir. “Probably something about thepower of the storm or some such. Do you think I should go check?”
Idris’s eyes flashed up on the word “measurements.”
“Hello, all,” said Professor Marin, startling everyone except Lady Sibba and Rinka, whose superior hearing had heard her coming. “Have you seen Leo? I haven’t been able to find him. I asked Ceri to keep a lookout—”
“Oh, Godsdammit,” said Idris, shutting his grading notebook. He didn’t need to hear the rest to know what had happened.
None of them did.
“You think she went to find him?” asked Professor Marin.
“Of course she bloody did. She can’t help herself, can she?” said Idris, rising to his feet.
“Idris,” said Rinka, joining him and placing a hand on his shoulder. “It’s alright. The storm has barely started. We’ll find them and bring them back.”
“I know,” said Idris, calming down. “Just…it’s Ceri.”
