Marron packed up her supplies slowly, wrapping the copper pot back in its cloth. Other students were chatting excitedly about the class, comparing their stock colors and clarity.
"Your knives are amazing," Zara said, appearing at Marron's elbow. "Seriously. I've never seen Whisperwind steel up close. My instructor back home said they're practically impossible to get."
"My mother was... persistent," Marron said carefully.
"Well, you're lucky. I'm working with standard Guild-issue knives and they're already losing their edge." Zara glanced at the wrapped pot. "Is that from somewhere special too?"
"Just borrowed," Marron said. "Testing it out."
"How's it working?"
"Like a pot," Marron said, more curtly than she'd intended. Then, softer: "Sorry. Long day."
"No worries. See you Thursday?"
"Thursday," Marron confirmed, though she wasn't taking the candy-making class until later.
She wheeled her cart out of the Guild building, her mind churning.
