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The Sun was high when Lord Aras entered the room. Rihasi had been looking out the window and watching the soldiers in their formations. Inside the room were Taor, Esau, and Keraunani. With Aras was a young man she had only seen in passing until now, but judging by the junior officer uniform he was wearing, he must be Mesen Adat Takorat. Unlike most of the men who worked closely with Aras, he seemed unaccustomed to being near women. He kept his eyes down.
"Profesor Kavas Ulim Nemukat has been the chair of the department of mathematics for the past 23 years. Two years ago Princess Illiethani sponsored a scholarship in his department, with the condition that it be awarded to the woman who scores the highest on the biannual entrance examination. However, no women have been admitted to the department, despite Soretes's ruling that they be allowed admittance."
He paused for a moment. "No, Mesen, I don't think it's possible that no woman has passed the examination." Although Rihasi had gambled her entire plan of taking down the Gerogeveta on Lord Aras's sorcerous abilities, and was grateful to this day for them, they were still sometimes unsettling to see. She put that thought aside, and instead thought of what she knew about the college. Test results were posted publicly in the center of Avaras, with every student being given a number so the results were anonymized. It would be harder to see that women were being systematically excluded from a glance at the board, though it would be pretty obvious when classes commenced and there were no women. Perhaps the men did not notice. Perhaps they did not mind. Having a group of women at the program would mean devoting part of the classroom to women, hanging veils if they were noblewomen, or splitting the classes entirely. "Though I suppose it is a possibility. It is also possible that there has been interference during the examinations, either sorcerous or otherwise. Last rainy season 25 women took the exam. The dry season before, 17."
"The next exam is in three weeks on Suen for the men, and the women's exam is the following Eub. I want to find out why there are no women passing the exam. Additionally I want to know what is going on with the endowment for the scholarship fund. It is growing, as no women are making use of it, but not by the rate I would expect. Perhaps the College of Mathematics took it out of the lucrative portfolio Illiethani created and invested it unwisely. Perhaps something else is going on."
Rihasi nodded at that.
"Rihasi, I want you, Taor, Keraunani, and Esau to take the exam. I want at least one of you to take both the men's exam and the women's exam. Rihasi especially, because you will score perfectly, though if both a man and a woman achieve perfect scores and have the same handwriting, that will not be above notice, so make sure that does not happen."
"Yes, my lord," she replied.
"Mesen will accompany you to Avaras, and he can arrange accommodations. I trust you all to find a plausible reason for you all to be taking the test, as well as come up with identities, and 700 heavy gold should be enough to procure whatever clothing and temporary relatives you need. Professor Nemukat likely has a bit of perception, but not enough to pick up more than feelings. He must not know that I suspect him."
**
Three weeks later, the group was in a hostelry in the southern quarter of Avaras, sitting in their suite, and joined by Hamathani, Rameres, and Vakareos. The players had been very intrigued about the top secret special assignment.
"Of course we'd be delighted to help you," said Hamathani. "While it's been great being able to write my own plays and having our patron, I miss the sense of adventure.
"I, for one, am excited to play someone dangerous again," said Rameres. "I've been working on my guard scowl!" He made a scowl that looked like a much more exaggerated version of how Taor looked when he was trying to intimidate someone. Esau stifled a laugh.
"Very scary," said Keruanani.
"And I am very excited to help my sons get a higher education," said Vakareos. "I'm proud of you both, and you'll certainly get high marks."
**
The next morning, Rihasi, Taor, Keraunai, and Esau were all dressed in the clothing of aspiring scholars. Rihasi was Javan, and Esau was now Saven, her older brother. Their father, Vakareos, had finally been able to afford the exam for both of them, having waited until he could afford the fee twice over so as not to create a rivalry between the two of them. They had been studying together, though privately Vakareos thought that the younger brother would surpass the older.
Keraunani was a son from a summer wife of a petty noble family. They had been willing to spend the money for his education, assuming he could pass the exam. If he didn't he would end up as a high servant in his father's household, which he did not want. He wanted to stay in Kanes Sen with his mother.
Taor was dressed less finely than the others, a tradesman who won a scholarship for the cost of the test. He would probably pass the test, since Prince Gedasares held a miniature version of it in order to make sure the scholarships were given to people likely to succeed.
Javan and Saven went to their desks, with their matching styluses and ink bottles, a gift from a cousin who was an assessor. Javan picked up his stylus, waiting for the proctor's signal that he was allowed to start writing.
80 questions, 120 long minutes. He had prepared, teaching his older brother the material that he needed. So far these questions covered basic algebra, required knowing some formulas, nothing unexpected. It made sense that the questions were not too challenging, given that Differential Equations and Esoteric Mathematics were not covered before university. With the study guide their father had given them, and his natural abilities, he had no trouble finishing the test well within the allotted time, even with a few glances towards his brother to see how he fared. Saven was looking confident, though possibly it was because he did not care as much about the outcome as Javan did.
When their time was up he walked up to the proctor's desk, where a sleek tabby cat sat. He hadn't noticed the cat until now. Had it always been there? He and the others handed in their tests to the proctor, and he wrote down their numbers next to their names. This book would be kept separate from the other proctors who graded the tests. Javan looked briefly at the book. Perhaps there was a pattern in the numbers, but they should be randomized, so that the grading proctors could not tell which tests were from this session, and which ones were from the women's session two days later.
Vakareos was outside, waiting for his sons to finish, and he slung an arm over each of their shoulders, proudly exclaiming how much of a genius he must be to have raised two bright sons to anyone nearby who might listen, and led them back to the hostelry.
**
Taor had insisted that Rihasi and Keraunani be accompanied at the women's test. He had been right, of course, as he often was in matters of security. So Rihasi and Keraunani were joined by Hamathani. Hamathani drew the eye away from anyone else in the room. No one would think that Rihasi was anyone other than Mithaleni, Hamathani's less beautiful sister. Keranauni was Bera, a daughter of a cousin of her father's summer wife, so they were friendly but not close. Rameres, Mithaleni and Hamathani's father's man, had brought them and their cousin to the test all the way from Sigaranra, and was making sure they were safe.
Mithaleni sat at her desk. She noticed this room was a lot noisier than the one that Javan had tested in. Additionally this stack of papers seemed larger. She had a very delicate stylus, one that could be used for writing poetry, and a matching ink bottle. At least it had cantrips to make sure the ink stayed inside when not in use, or if knocked about. Green ink was an auspicious color for female scholars to use.
The cat from the men's test was sitting in the window, apparently enjoying the extra heat and sitting directly in a sunbeam.
When the proctor called a start to the exam she could hear a rowdy group of students in the courtyard. It must be close to lunch time. She turned over her test, glancing at the questions. Even accounting for some variation in the questions so people could not cheat, this test was much more different than the men's test. In fact, it looked closer to what she would expect in a second year midterm examination. Why were the women being given a second year midterm for an entry examination?
As the long minutes ticked on, she wrote as fast as she could. The room was stiflingly hot, despite the weather being about the same as it was when Javan took the test, and it grew harder to hold on to the stylus with her sweaty palms. Her hand was also starting to cramp. While most of the questions were easy for her, she barely finished as the last grains of sand slipped through the glass. Judging by the looks on the faces of the other women, their tests were similar to hers, but they did not look as confident. She was certain she had passed. Some of the other women might have passed as well, but they would have had to study beyond what would be taught by tutors. It seemed unlikely that would be the case for most of them.
As she, Bera, and Hamathani left the room, and walked away from the university and back to their hostelry, she finally let herself feel the rage she had held at bay until now. This would certainly be illegal; though Professor Nemukat must have some faked exams that could be shown to assessors, written in a woman's hand, showing clearly failing scores of a much more ordinary entrance examination.
That was one mystery down. The women were indeed likely not passing the test. Or not very many of them. And they would go home, and think that it was their fault that they failed the test, and that they were inadequate. It would not be the truth, but no one would likely question it. Except Lord Aras, who she was coming to realize was an exceptional man indeed.
However, if the professor was to get more than a large fine, in order to be able to put an end to this, she still needed to find a way to access the books.
It was rather fortunate, indeed, the next day, when a servant in the University's sky blue and magenta livery came by and invited her to speak with Professor Nemukat himself.
**
"You can't go alone!" said Taor. She could tell he was frustrated.
"You may be right," she allowed, "but I cannot bring an entire entourage. Maybe I could bring a duenna, but even that would raise suspicions. Rameres can escort me to the University grounds, but it was established already that he was the only man from our household
"Rameres barely knows which end of the sword has the point."
"And you cannot carry a bladed weapon, which is why you decided to be my pretend father's head guard." She could tell that Taor did not like that she was correct on this point.
"I'll find another way into the University. There is no way I will let any bad fate befall you. Me and Esau will find a way in, and we will make sure that you are safe."
"I know you will." She looked up at him adoringly, and that solved the issue. They had a night free before the meeting the next morning, and they knew how to make sure it was not wasted.
**
The next morning, Rihasi sat waiting in the sitting room of Professor Nemukat's office, which was richly appointed in dark mahogany wood paneling and sofas upholstered in the university's sky blue and magenta. The chairs were as comfortable as they looked. Indeed, the other occupant of the room was a cat, probably the one who had been at the two tests.
Servants had let her in, but now waited in the hallway outside. She was alone, besides the cat, who had been staring at her and now blinked slowly. She had heard that cats blink when they felt they could trust another cat. So she slowly blinked back at him. He got up, circled around a few times, and sat back down, not having a care in the world.
Taor and Esau had somehow gotten some low servants outfits and were making their way across the department halls on their cleaning shift. The other servants were happy to take the offered break due to the scheduling mishap that had gotten them all scheduled on the same shift together, and had not asked questions about why these two men who they had never seen before were there. At some point they would probably clean this room, but she could not be sure that they would arrive to dust off the books in here before Professor Nemukat came out of the inner office.
**
Professor Kavas Ulim Nemukat clapped his student on the back as the two of them walked out of his inner office. The student thanked him profusely before leaving. And then Rihasi, rather Mithaleni, and Nemukat were alone.
"Mithaleni, thank you for coming to see me. Let's speak in my inner office, where it's a bit more private," he said, as he guided her in touching the small of her back. Mithaleni suppressed a shudder at the unwanted contact.
"If that is what you wish, Professor Nemukat," she said as she let him guide her in and to a chair.
"Please, call me Kavas."
Soft footsteps followed them. Mithaleni was looking down, avoiding Nemukat's gaze, and noticed the tabby following them into the room. Nemukat did not seem to be the kind of person who would feed and shelter a cat, but maybe her assessment of him was incorrect. She hoped it was, as she was now in a small room with him and the cat and no obvious exits but the door, which made a loud noise when it closed.
"Kavas, then. What was it you wanted to talk to me about?" she said, not having to work hard at all to sound nervous. She did not like the way he was looking at her. Like he was a mongoose and she was a mouse, who had unwittingly stepped into his trap. She carefully did not think about Taor or any others outside.
"I was looking through the examinations, and you appear to have gotten high marks," he said, with a smile that did not reach his eyes. "Congratulations, you are the first woman to have passed the entrance exam." His gaze hardened, as did his voice. "You must think yourself very clever, whatever you did to seduce my proctors or having some third year student sorcerously feeding you the answers."
"But I didn't–"
"You know that the punishment for cheating on an entrance exam is ten lashes, which I doubt you want. We will bring in a magistra, of course, so you can give your side, but I doubt she will believe you."
"I did not cheat on that test," she said, haughtily. "Give me another and I can prove it, right now."
"Sure, and I can fight a wolf using one of those incredibly heavy Ugaro bows" he said, dripping with condescension. I will fetch one of the school's magistras, and I doubt you will be in any place to hold a quill after your punishment. I will be back," he said, and rose, went out the door, and locked it behind him, a bolt sliding in place.
She had to find the books! They were in his locked office somewhere, with no way in or out except by professor Nemukat. But where were they?
She started looking, taking off books one by one and flipping through them. Surely there was something in there…But it all seemed orderly, and fine, and obviously these were not the real books.
A scratching sound, and there was the cat, trying to get at a book. She took it off the shelf, and then there was a creaking noise, and the shelf started moving. She and the cat jumped out of the way, and a small closet was revealed, full of many books, as well as satchels of coin. She started looking at the tomes. These were the books that he kept, because he would never trust a memory keeper with this information, and wrote it all down, for her to behold. A few light gold here, another several heavy silver there. And it added up. Several thousand heavy gold, more than could be accounted for in this room but much of it here. Some purchases of property in Dancausen and Berenet, and some race horses here in Avaras.
She looked at the Younger Sun, now far up above the horizon. She must not have much time left, but she had seen enough. She quickly put the books back, exited the room. Footsteps approaching. She pulled the book, hoping it would close the shelf up, and it started moving again. She threw herself back in the chair, trying to look as if she had been there all along. As the door opened, the cat jumped in her lap and sat down.
Nemukat returned with a magistra in tow.
"I'm sorry that Magistra Kania wasn't available, but I am happy to help get to the heart of the matter, and make sure the Sun's justice is served," said a familiar voice. Keraunani!
"What are you doing here, you mangy feline?" yelled Nemukat at the very finely groomed and not at all mangy cat. "I told you to get out and stay out!" He moved to hit the cat, but before he could make contact, the cat jumped out of the way, and Nemukat was on the floor.
Keraunani was standing over him, "what is the meaning of– whumph" the air rushed out of him as she kicked him in the stomach.
"You liar, cheat, and thief!" said Keraunani. "You should be glad I am not armed."
"Your time is finished" said a much deeper voice. Taor. And with him was Chancellor Reskaren. Suddenly the small room was getting very crowded. But she appreciated no longer being alone.
"I'm sorry we took so long, my dear" said Taor, "but I knew you could handle yourself. I had to fetch Chancellor Reskaren."
"And it's a good thing you did. I take it Lord Aras got my letter?" said Chancellor Reskaren.
"He did," said Taor. "And he sent us."
"I'm afraid your instincts were correct, Chancellor. Professor Kavas Ulim Nemukat was embezzling from the scholarship over the past twenty eight months, and has stolen 4593 heavy gold, 230 thin gold, 34 heavy silver, and 371 copper. He has spent 1845 of it on property and race horses, but the rest is probably in either his hidden back room, or his accounts in the crown bank."
"He has a hidden back room?" asked the Chancellor. "We had searched his office for the books before, and came up with nothing. The mathematics building blueprints say nothing about a hidden room."
"He does indeed," said Rihasi, who tugged on the book and opened the door. Everyone watched it open.
"Amazing. How ever did you find it?"
"This cat was trying to scratch the book. I figured that if he was curious about it, it would be worth looking at. It turns out he was very helpful in that regard." She patted his head.
"What a very fine cat. Though university policy specifically forbids animals. I will add it to the list of Kavas's crimes."
"But it isn't my–" said Nemukat, though no one was paying much attention to him. Keraunani gave him a kick to the shin for good measure. The chancellor pointedly did not notice her doing so.
"I'm glad that the actions of the mathematics department do not reflect upon the views of the university as a whole. and that we could bring his actions to the light."
"Thank you for bringing the Sun's justice. I appreciate being able to clean house. Without this proof, we could not have fired Kavas here, as you know the Nemukata are powerful in my hometown of Gaudarat, and were resentful that a merchant's son was made head of the University instead of a Nemukat like him. They have been pushing for him to be made chancellor recently. They are already halfway to petitioning the King for this to happen. I am glad that we can make it known he is a disgrace both to the University and his own family."
After that it was a simple matter of stepping out of the way, and letting in Prince Sekaran's soldiers, who Esau had informed of the situation. Nemukat hurled insults on his way out, screaming like a child denied his favorite plaything and two long hours past his nap time.
**
Rihasi sat in her rooms in Lord Aras's manor. While she had acquired a vast wardrobe appropriate for the borderlands over the past three years, she still was often cold on the nights Taor stayed up late on watch. After returning from this mission, this was no longer a problem, as the tabby cat who found Nemukat's secret room had followed them back first to the hostelry, and then all the way to Tavas Sen.
"It's amazing how many women can afford to attend university after one man's assets are seized and are spent for something useful" said Taor. That morning Lord Aras had given them the news that all of the women denied access to the University of Avaras Department of Mathematics were being given the chance to attend with a full scholarship. Having looked at the first year's results, all of the women had actually passed the exam, and only subsequently did ex-professor Nemukat create a separate and more difficult exam to make it easier to deny the women entry. Rihasi had helped go over the results, and was able to figure out that almost all of the women would have passed a normal exam. Possibly even all of them given the extra pressure that women face. So the new department chair decided that they should all be admitted. He was surprisingly open-minded for a Lau man, but apparently his grandmother was a memory keeper, and he knew how vital it was for women to be allowed to discover all of their talents.
"It helps that the horses that were seized started winning more races once they were given proper care," said Rihasi. "Their income alone funds three full scholarships."
"They're extraordinary animals," said Taor.
"But our cat is even more extraordinary," said Rihasi.
The cat snuggled Rihasi and purred as loud as he could. He certainly agreed with her.
The End