THE field had been separated into pairs. All the partners stood together, a bit apart from the other groups. They all had a cauldron with a lit fire under it in front of it, so obviously they were going to brew a potion. Asmeen was glad she'd studied the day before.

Aven didn't look worried at all, so Asmeen was relieved. They'd probably be doing this together, as there was only one cauldron per group, so it would be helpful if her partner knew what he was doing.

Dara and Osoric looked as put together as ever a they walked to the front of the field. "As you can see," Dara said, "Today we will be making a potion."

"You'll be making a simple healing potion, one to heal bruises and cuts. The ingredients are on that side of the field—" Osoric gestured to the right, where there were tables set up with glass bottles of different ingredients, knives and cutting boards.

Asmeen exhaled, relieved. She remembered that one. It was easier than she'd expected. She glanced at Aven, who nodded. Good.

"There should be enough for everyone, but if you need more, please inform us," Dara said.

"You may go and collect your ingredients," Osoric said. "In an orderly manner."

"Should we wait a bit?" Asmeen asked, eyeing the crowd that had gathered at the tables despite what Osoric had said.

Aven shrugged. "Sure. You know the recipe?"

"Yes. Don't worry," Asmeen said. She looked at the crowd, which was thinning. "Let's go."

The two of them walked over to the now-depleted tables. Asmeen could see Elyn with her partner. Wylla had probably gone in early. They grabbed bottles, checking with each other. Asmeen ended up taking a cutting board and piling the little bottles and containers on it. Turmeric powder, evening primrose, honey—she glanced at Aven. "I think we're done."

He nodded. "Let's go."

They walked back to their cauldron, setting everything down on the grass. Asmeen crouched, making sure nothing fell over as she placed all the ingredients carefully, holding the knife carefully instead of keeping it on the ground.

"You may begin," Osoric said.

Though there were no official rankings, Dara and Osoric would be walking around and observing how they were doing. It was obvious that they were busy taking mental notes.

There was a bucket beside their cauldron, full of water. Aven lifted it up and poured the water in carefully. A few drops hit Asmeen and she took a step back. "Careful."

He set the bucket down again and glanced at the bottles on the ground. "Pour the honey, please. I'll mash the gingko leaves."

Asmeen nodded and uncorked the bottle of honey, pouring it into the cauldron. She began stirring carefully. They'd have to wait for the water to boil before putting in anything else.

Aven finished mashing the leaves and began stirring, so she prepared the rest of the ingredients. The water had begun boiling, and she was waving steam away from them, the field significantly heating up, as Aven began putting in the rest of the contents.

She'd turned her back for just one moment, to grab the clove that had to be added second last. She turned just in time to see Aven dropping in the gingko leaves.

"What are you doing!" She hissed, trying to keep her voice low. "Those are supposed to be added last!"

He blinked at her. "No, they aren't. The clove—" He gestured at her hand— "Is supposed to be last."

Asmeen shook her head rapidly and dropped in the clove, in an attempt to salvage it. "No, it isn't!"

"You're not supposed to put that in it yet!" Aven said, throwing his arms up. "Just trust me, I know this!"

Asmeen pursed her lips together tightly. "So do I."

"Clearly not," Aven said, looking away.

"Time's up!" Osoric called from the front of the field, before Asmeen could retort. "We'll be coming around to check your potions. Please wait in your place."

Aven doused out the flames with a bit of leftover water. Steam rose up sharply, as it was doing all over the field. Asmeen coughed and waved her hands in front of her face. Aven shot her a dirty look, and she sent one back.

Their potion was cooling down to be a shade lighter than it was supposed to be. Asmeen knew full well it was because of Aven messing it up. But from the way he looked at her, she could tell he held her responsible.

Dara and Osoric checked the potions briskly, not showing any signs of approval or disdain. Asmeen wasn't sure whether to be thankful or frustrated by it. They made their way through the field, finally reaching theirs.

Dara only nodded, her face impassive. Asmeen could feel her face reddening. Their potion wasn't the worst, but it certainly wasn't the best. She couldn't exactly blame Aven right in front of them, though. They moved on without saying a word. Asmeen was ignoring Aven—he was doing the same to her.

"Alright," Osoric said when they finished. "We've looked over all your potions."

"As this was only the first day, your task was easy. But as time goes on, it will be harder and longer, so please be prepared," Dara said, running a pointed gaze over all the pairs.

Asmeen bit her lower lip sharply. She'd studied this. She knew she was right. Wylla and Elyn would back her up—she vividly remembered going over this very potion with them the night before.

It didn't matter much, though. As soon as Osoric announced that they could leave, Aven walked off sharply without giving Asmeen a chance to so much as talk to him.

She exhaled sharply, making her way to Elyn and Wylla. The twins were talking together and fell silent as she approached.

"What's wrong?" Wylla asked.

"My partner," Asmeen said, filling all her frustration into the two words.

"What did he do?" Elyn questioned, folding her arms.

"The clove is supposed to go before the gingko leaves, right?" Asmeen said, glancing between the two of them.

Elyn's eyebrows furrowed. "Yes."

"Well," Asmeen said, glaring at the spot where Aven had vanished through the trees, "He seemed to think the gingko leaves come first. And then he had the nerve to tell me I Was wrong! Our potion came out wrong because of him!"

Wylla shrugged. "He'll probably figure it out by tomorrow. He should apologize, I guess."

"Yes, he should," Asmeen said, still glaring. "You wouldn't believe his confidence when he said he was right. 'Trust me, I know this,'" she mocked.

When she looked up, Wylla was giving her an odd look. "I think you're getting too worked up about this. It's only the first day—you have plenty more chances to get your potions right."

Asmeen shuddered. "I know, it's just—he's just irritating." Then she nodded. "But you're right. I shouldn't worry." She let out a deep breath.

"Well," Elyn said, glancing around at the emptying field, "I think we should go home. If they see the other trainees coming home and not us, we'll be in even more trouble."

"Right," Wylla said, her eyebrows rising. "Let's go."

Once they made it out of the forest, though, Asmeen spotted Nara waiting by a nearby tree.

"Nara!" She called, waving the girl over.

Nara fell in step with them, carrying a basket on her hand. "How was it?"

Wylla snorted.

Asmeen rolled her eyes. "You can tell Nyma that her friend is stubborn. And wrong."

Nara gave her sisters a confused look.

"He messed up a potion, but he thinks Asmeen did," Elyn explained drily.

Nara let out a breath that sounded almost like a laugh. "Well, don't worry. It was just the first day."

"That's what I told her," Wylla said matter-of-factly.

Nara looked around. "We're getting close to your house, so I'll leave now." She took Asmeen's hand and squeezed it. "Come to my house as soon as your free. And don't worry about Aven," she added, grinning. "I'll tell Nyma to knock some sense into him."

"You do that," Asmeen grumbled. She waved at Nara, who veered off in the direction of her own house and continued on with her sisters.

"You need to rest," Wylla said decisively. "And forget all about your partner."

"You can do that by studying," Elyn added.

Wylla gave her a dark look. "We can study later. Why don't you so something? I've been wanting a new scarf for days, and you wanted to try that new pattern, right?"

Asmeen sighed. "You're right." At Elyn's incredulous look, she added, "I'll study in a bit, I just need to relax."

"Fine." Elyn nodded.

Azol opened the door of the house, his eyebrows raised. "How was it?"

Asmeen exchanged a look with her sisters.

"Fine," Elyn said.

"Nothing really special happened," Wylla said, nodding. "We had to make a simple potion. Today's was easy."

"That's good," Azol said, shutting the door after they walked in. "So, what will you be up to now?" He sent Wylla a very pointed look.

Wylla had the decency to look a bit ashamed. "We'll rest for a bit and then get to studying. Don't worry, Papa."

Azol sighed. "Well, get to it, then."

They hurried upstairs as quickly as and undressed. Asmeen pulled out her knitting basket, trying to visualize the design she'd wanted to copy.

"Don't take too long," Elyn murmured, already sitting at their desk with her notes.

"I won't," Asmeen replied, It wasn't a lie. She did, eventually, get to studying, accompanied by a reluctant Wylla, and they passed that evening much like the last.

Oh no, conflict! Let's see what happens...

See you next chapter!