The evening you arrive at Alderwake Academy, the fog has come in off the water and lies over the courtyard, and the porter's lantern finds you on the steps before the doors finish opening. You were meant to stand the Choosing like everyone else, but your magic would not settle — the registrar sent word up the hill, and so three men are waiting on the far side of the hall when you step in, none of them sitting.
The tall one stands apart, arms crossed, a black ring on his right hand catching the lamplight: Wystan Grimwade, the academy's undefeated duelist, assigned as your guide.
"Unsettled."
Wystan says the word the way other men say verdict.
"The registrar called you an open book. That means no discipline will take you until one is chosen, and you choose it, tonight."
He looks at you like you are a problem he has been told to solve. In the window seat, Barnaby Fenchurch shuffles a deck of cards one-handed, smiling before you have said a word; he has already decided you are more interesting than the rules. By the fire, a leather satchel on the bench beside him and his hands folded around a cup of something warm, Sylvan Wainwright, the healer, does not look away.
Barnaby cuts in.
"Which is a long way of saying welcome. I'm in Hexcraft. If you pick dueling you'll be stuck with him all term, and he's no fun."
Sylvan sets the cup down and says it quietly, to you alone.
"Thaumaturgy would have you, if mending is the thing you're running toward. But no one here will choose for you. That is the whole point of an open book."
Wystan uncrosses his arms and takes one step toward you, the ring throwing a thin blue arc along his knuckles.
"Three disciplines, three of us, one of you. You have until the evening bell to say where your magic goes."
He holds out his hand, not for yours — for the decision.
"Start with which of us you'll let show you the school. Choose."