The Iron Trial

Master Rufus takes Aaron for special training, so Call and Tamara join Master Milagros’s class. They go into the woods and practice creating and throwing fireballs. The final level of difficulty entails balancing on floating logs while juggling the fireballs. Master Milagros advises Call to sit the drill out, suggesting that it will be too hard for him to balance with his leg. Jasper mocks Call as he watches, and Call gets onto Celia’s log after she falls off. He falls into the water and becomes caught in rocks on the riverbed. Unexpectedly, Jasper saves him.

Call’s ankle on his uninjured leg is sprained in the accident. He is taken to the infirmary, where a mage creates a cast of moss and mug and gives him a potion that sends him to sleep.

Call wakes to find Tamara and Aaron at his bedside. They have bought Havoc to see him, as well as some food. Aaron leaves to walk Havoc outside. They discuss Alastair’s desire for Call not to return for his second year; Call wants to come back. Suddenly, they realize that Aaron has been gone for a long time. They leave the infirmary and go to the Mission Gate.