Here's the next installment of our Metallum Nocturne story. If you need to catch up on any of the previous episodes, click here.
Episode Forty-Seven
Claire knew that Lamar was planning on calling her patron, but she hadn't expected to have to admit that she'd gone behind his back with the project. His expression had been one of betrayal. He'd explicitly told her that she should not work with night metal any longer and needed to pick a simpler project. The punishment would be severe.
"Patron Canterbury," said Lamar, approaching with his hands clasped behind his back. "Can you tell us about Claire Teller?"
He frowned, glancing briefly at her before checking back to Lamar.
"Claire came into the Hall a timid, unsure first-year who seemed bewildered by the expectations of being a maker mage. Metallum Nocturne is not an easy Hall to learn in. I worried her first year that she wasn't going to be up to the task and would probably leave.
"But to my surprise, by the end of that year, she seemed to change considerably. I cannot tell what it was that triggered it, but she was a new student by the time her second year started. The improvement was startling. By the time her third year rolled around, all the professors in my hall were calling her the best student we'd had in decades. Honestly, and I don't use this word lightly, she's brilliant. I wouldn't have approved her use of night metal, which has a notorious history, had it not been for her exemplary performances."
Patron Canterbury looked directly at Claire. "To be honest, I hoped that after Claire left the Hall and had a banger of a career, that she might come back to Metallum Nocturne and teach."
"Did you ever find her to be the kind of student to take shortcuts, or skirt safety protocols?" asked Lamar.
"No. Not ever. Foundry safety is absolute. You either do it, or you put yourself at risk of serious injury. Not only do we have to worry about magical issues, but working with molten metal has its own unique challenges."
"Do you believe Claire would have signed the sheet and not followed up on Mara's safety protocols?" asked Lamar.
"Objection. Speculation."
"Sustained, Lamar."
Her lawyer sighed heavily, clearly annoyed by the ruling. "No further questions."
"Plaintiff?" asked the judge.
The Blocks' team huddled around Annette, who spoke quietly. The discussion seemed to annoy her lawyers, but eventually the lead stood up.
"Can I approach the bench?"
"Please."
After a short discussion between the judge and the two lawyers, the judge announced a change to the proceedings.
"Due to some unexpected developments, the trial will take a recess until two days from now." He hammered his gavel. "All rise for the jury."
Claire was barely paying attention, trying to figure out why the trial had been recessed. Once the judge had left, she turned to Lamar, but he immediately answered.
"I don't know why. He wasn't clear why they were asking for a recess. It's unusual, especially given their strong position."
Claire checked back to see Annette staring at her. The woman didn’t care about the trial except as a path to the mayorship. "I think she wants to make another offer."
Lamar scrunched up his forehead. "That doesn't make sense unless there's something I'm missing about their position. Keep me informed if they do."
Claire was assaulted with questions by the press, but she hurried down the stairs and planned on walking to the nearest station, when a car pulled up and a door opened revealing Patron Canterbury. She hopped into the passenger seat.
"Quite a mess you're in," he said as they drove away.
"Thank you for what you said on the stand. It was good to hear that."
"I meant everything I said. You're really one of the most brilliant students I've ever had the pleasure of working with."
"I've loved every minute of being in Metallum Nocturne. In a way, even with everything that's happened, it was worth it. Mostly anyway."
He tapped on the steering wheel, waiting for the light to change. "Unfortunately, it brings me great sadness to inform you of this next part."
Claire turned in her seat as he pulled through the intersection.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to graduate you from Metallum Nocturne due to not finishing your fifth-year project and breaking the rules about prior approval for said project. It pains me to say this and had I not had to admit it on a witness stand, I would have quietly overlooked this transgression. But I cannot expect the other students to follow the rules if I do not apply the proper punishment."
The whole world went fuzzy for a moment. She hadn't thought that not graduating was even an option. With everything going on, that had felt like a sure thing.
"I'm sorry, Claire. I really am. But you know the rules and you know I must do this."
She pressed her fingers into the corners of her eyes. She felt lightheaded.
"I...I understand."
"I won't withdraw my patron support until after the school year, nor will I let anyone else know though it will be obvious during the ceremonies. That will give you a chance to finish any projects, or do anything else you might need." He squeezed the steering wheel and sighed heavily. "I can suggest some maker groups that you can probably get a job with, but of course, you won't able to do magic without a patron. But I'm sure you can make a living as a highly competent assistant. If you're not interested in that, I completely understand."
She didn't know what, or even how to say anything. The rest of the trip was in silence. He let her out at the street entrance to the Hall. Claire stopped at the bronze statue of Stephen Adolphus and spat on the base before heading in.
