22 - Edwina's Mastery

                                        

                                              
Returning home after her gallery at the university was an almost surreal experience, and Edwina needed the time the carriage took to trundle back to the Capital to help settle everything that had happened. She'd left the Capital before June started, and now that it was near the end of July she was returning and it felt like a lifetime had already passed.
 It started with that not-date Lord Daro took her on their first evening there. Edwina had slept poorly during the midday heat, afflicted by a truly ridiculous dream and woken to find that the hottest part of the day was not noon, but a few hours later when the sun broiled the horizon before it finally, mercifully, set. Her hair had mostly dried despite the braid, and she carefully brushed and oiled it lightly before pinning it back up to get it off of her neck. It was the same style Hida used to keep her hair out of the way for training, but it was unlikely any at the university would recognize a Knight's hairstyle. 
Edwina had traded her travel dress for a slightly more dinner appropriate one, still blessedly short sleeved and lightweight. And she was quickly surprised to witness that Capital fashions were not the standard; women's gowns were short hemmed and styled stockings were displayed with shoes treated as an accessory. Her own gold and red gown wasn't a complete oddity, but given the heat Edwina was mighty tempted to adopt their fashion for survival's sake. Lord Daro was more prepared for the heat, having been a native to it since birth, so his attire was the lightweight shirts with no cravat, and held only by a vest as a jacket would be torturous. It was a dashing look on the Lord, but it'd left Edwina all too able to see the column of his throat clench and writhe as he ate and drank and spoke. 
Lord Daro was animated, sharing his experiences at the university and the city that surrounded it. Although he'd graduated almost four years ago, he'd visited the city frequently enough, it seemed, that he'd been an excellent tour guide. Given the heart of the city was the university, they were able to enjoy the cooling night air as he'd shown her something called a Night Market, a lovely display of different food stands, travelling pubs, and market stalls all aimed at the heavily student aged population. She saw more pen nibs and ink pots than there were stars in the sky above, an almost complete lack of weaponry available likely purposeful, given the egos some students bore. And given the density of the crowds in such narrow walkways, Lord Daro had linked her arm through his until he actually had to guide her through crowds with a hand on her back and his shoulders a shield from being bumped. It'd left goosebumps chasing down her skin, and Edwina could feel where his hand had been long after he'd removed it. Despite the lingering heat, even after sunset, she'd longed for him to hold her close again, the sweat his touch left her coated in it's own sweet misery. 
Instead he'd taken her back to their rooms so she could once again rest and prepare for her introductions. And she'd thankfully not dreamt of being a roast. 
But it did prove to be the last calm moment of her trip to gallery.
Given the Season, Edwina had expected Master Gentileschi but not many other Masters to be in attendance. But it seemed that nearly a dozen Masters were interested in her art, her magic, or he academic talents. Or perhaps her gallery was simply the most exciting way to beat the heat that endlessly baked them despite the time of day. Even Lord Daro seemed surprised at the full attendance list. He'd seemed greatly focused on the Master of Dance, Lord Bernard Campell, being here instead of attending the Capital Season. The last she had heard he was Courting Lady Edha Malani, but since he'd elected to attend the university it was clearly over. It made Edwina wonder if Lord Daro had held affection for Lady Edha, and given his almost disrespectful abruptness with the other man, there was an obvious antagonism between them.
Despite her mentor's dislike, Master Campbell had been polite and friendly towards Edwina, enthusiastic about seeing what she could do already. But Edwina was far more focused on Master Gentileschi, an elderly foreigner who mastered art and magic on a scale Edwina could only hope to one day replicate.