There wasn’t much of the normal sense of fun evident in his manner as he leafed through loose sheets of heavily annotated parchment. “Sorry to keep you waiting Gaspi,” he said, flicking him a momentary glance. “Pour yourself some tea and I’ll be right with you.” &nbs...
None of his classmates were up yet, and the light showing through the windows was only just transitioning from the grey of pre-dawn to the first golden glow of sunrise. Rising quietly he washed and dressed, and made his way out into the courtyard. The lingering chill of night goose-pimpled the fl...