It was, by all appearances, a mansion that had been converted to hold the school. The four-story building commanded its half of the street, unapologetically austere behind the wrought-iron gates surrounding it. At first glance it wouldn't be a place that you would expect to see children, especially happy children, and yet they were there. Just to the right of the building, in a wide patch of grass, several children of varying ages rioted about the place. Their bubbling laughter could be heard above the clap of horses and carriages, and Valeda couldn't suppress her smile. The sight and sound tugged at her heart and for the first time in several weeks, Valeda felt her unease lessen. Inasmuch as she didn't like Lady Delgora's cryptic movements, Valeda had a sense that she was on the right side of things. Whatever was happening behind the closed doors of noble society, House Witch Delgora was obviously fighting for the Untalented. And since Valeda herself was Untalented, it seemed a good idea to support the Witch rather than expose her.
