Kade had been waiting all morning to say it, and he said it the moment Liss walked onto her spot.
“A cheap copy,” said Kade, from the stable door. He had his arms folded and his chin up.
“The Iron Duke of the Yard has watched a cheap copy stand in the dirt for two days. It is not a stance. It is a shadow with a sword.”
Liss did not turn her head. Her hands sat low over her belt. Her face stayed flat.
“Silverspire will never accept a copy,” said Kade. “They hire men who stand on their own feet. They would laugh at this in their hall.”
“Then they will laugh,” said Calen.
“Teacher.” Kade’s voice went up on the word, and then it came down again, as if he had caught it on a nail.
“Teacher, the Board is coming. A cheap copy will not get the thirty a bed.”
