I found our flute and song professor, Pantea Ateia, already sitting inside. I took a seat on the other chair, folded my shaking hands into my lap, and waiting for what they had to say.
"There is a rumor going around about you, Ms. Willowbranch," the headmaster began, "And if it is true, we will have to let you go from the Bard's College."
My mouth instantly went dry. It took a moment for me to speak, "What…what is this rumor, sir?"
He exchanged a look with Professor Ateia, a sign for her to continue on.
"It came to my attention from an anonymous source that you have been visiting the Dour every evening," she said.
Anonymous source? Sure.
"I am," I replied.
"And what exactly are you doing up there each and every evening?"
"I apologize for being so frank, sir, but is it really any of your business what I do on my own time?"
The headmaster's face began to turn red, "As long as you are a student at the Bards College, everything you do is my business. Everything you do and say can reflect good and badly on the college. Now tell me, child! What have you been doing up at the Dour?"
"Learning how to sword fight."
My answer stopped them both in their tracks. That wasn't quite the answer they were expecting.
"Excuse me," said the headmaster, "What did you say?"
"I'm learning how to sword fight and defend myself. You've said yourself, sir, that this world is becoming unsafe for us bards to just wander the roads as we used to. Even taverns can be unsafe places. I wanted to be able to defend myself is something bad happened. Is there anything wrong with that, sir?"
The headmaster and professor exchanged a look, "No. No, there isn't," he replied.
"Is there anything else you wanted to speak to me about, sir? I'd really like to get some lunch."
"Oh yes," he waved his hand towards the door, "Go. Go eat. Thank you."
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