Freedom, Humanity, and Other Delusions (Death's Handmaiden Book 3) by Niall Teasdale (best summer reads txt) 📕

the Flight Club and a sort-of-member of the MagiTag Club. She had an interest in dropping in on the latter to see what the new batch of first years were like, but neither club had asked her to assist with recruitment. Maybe they had decided she would be too intimidating. The Flight Club had asked Melissa to help, though at a reduced level from last year. Melissa had duties as the student council’s secretary to take care of this year.

Despite her general lack of interest, Nava felt she should at least take a few turns around the club stands to see whether anything new had appeared. That was why she spotted something which was new but was also not a club. The stand was actually a little too professional for a club’s stand; someone very professional had constructed this, even if what it was displaying was not exactly exciting.

‘Are you interested in the Professional Society of Sorcery, young lady?’ one of the people on the stand asked as Nava took a few seconds to scan the displays.

‘I’ve never heard of it before,’ Nava replied.

‘Oh.’ The man deflated a little. He was typically handsome. His brown hair had a hint of red to it and his eyes were a pleasing shade of green. He looked to be not too far into his twenties, which probably meant he had not been a professional sorcerer for very long. Assuming he was a sorcerer, of course, and not just a man hired to be on the stand. Nava guessed that he was not handsome enough for that. ‘It’s the principal professional society for magicians. Established in one eighty-three and representing the rights of workers in sorcery for almost fifty-three years now.’

‘But you weren’t here last year,’ Nava countered.

‘We’re trying to get more recognition among students, that’s true. This is the first year we’ve had a stand here. It’s part of our mission to promote professional standards. We also want people in the profession to know there is a body devoted to enhancing magicians’ rights, enhancing working conditions, and generally making life better for those able to do sorcery.’

‘Interesting sales pitch,’ Nava said. ‘If you can provide me with appropriate information links, I’d like to learn more.’

‘I can do that,’ the young man said, smiling. ‘I’m here until Monday if you’d like to discuss it further.’

Nava nodded. ‘I’ll keep that in mind.’ Somehow, she suspected his interest was not entirely professional. He was going to be disappointed, but she did not have to tell him that now and burst his happy little bubble.

~~~

‘They’re a legitimate organisation,’ Melissa said. ‘The request to have a stand at the fair came through the school and the council agreed to let them have one.’

‘They’ve been around for a while,’ Mitsuko went on. ‘Historically, they’ve been advocates for the rights of communications workers, but they’ve been expanding into areas like ethical standards and the rights of other magicians for a while. This year, they seem to have decided to push into schools.’ She paused. ‘You didn’t get a bad vibe off them, did you?’

Nava paused in the chewing of her lunch, resumed, and swallowed. ‘No. I find the general concept of such a professional society interesting. I’m not sure how membership would work with my other commitments.’

‘That is something you’ve shown an interest in before,’ Melissa said. She meant that Nava had slaughtered an entire contingent of mercenaries and scientists in order to stop technology she considered unethical coming to light. It could certainly be considered an ‘interest’ in professional ethics. ‘What are you doing this afternoon?’

‘MagiTag,’ Nava replied. ‘I want to see what this year’s batch of first years are like.’

‘Try to leave them the use of their legs,’ Mitsuko said.

‘No promises.’

~~~

‘Good afternoon, Francis Goretti. How are the new students?’ Nava’s gaze wandered over the displays in the control room as she asked, taking in the scene below, in the simulation room, where ten young adults were attempting to track each other down and ‘kill’ their targets. Some were a lot better than others.

‘There are a couple who may be worth nurturing,’ Francis replied. He was not in charge of the MagiTag Club these days, having inherited the chairmanship of all extracurricular activities the previous autumn, but he still took an active interest. That was partially because of his history with the club and partially because the MagiTag Club was a major contributor to the school’s prestige. ‘No one who could really be said to be a threat to you…’ Francis flashed Nava a grin which switched suddenly to a frown. ‘Well, except for her, of course.’

Nava followed his pointing finger and spotted the her in question: Taryn Borchardt Firmin. The statuesque woman was also watching the people engaging in battle. Her expression was some mix of thoughtful and amused, as though she was enjoying the show while making assessments. She was dressed in the new school combat gear – as was Nava – so it seemed likely that she was planning to join a game or had already done so. Possibly both.

‘You’ve seen her fight?’ Nava asked.

‘She’s played in two games,’ Francis replied. ‘Won both. She’s good. Maybe as good as you.’

‘Maybe better?’

‘I couldn’t call it.’

Nava’s gaze lingered on the other woman for a second. ‘I don’t think you’ll have to.’

‘Want to join me for a game?’ Taryn asked Nava about three minutes later as the last players trooped out of the room.

Nava flashed a glance at Francis – who grinned – and then nodded. ‘Of course, Taryn Borchardt. It should be interesting.’

‘Oh yeah! I can’twait to see if you’re as good as I’ve heard.’

‘I suppose we’ll find out.’

Three of the ten combatants were out of play inside of the first minute. One of them fell to Taryn, but that was just because he had been in the way. Taryn was hunting Nava and Nava knew that was what was happening. It was, probably anyway, a good tactic if you had reasonable situational awareness and skill with a