"He's strict, but he deserves it," Claudia said, shrugging a little. She'd gotten a few swats or cuffs along the way, but no worse than any other apprentices, that she could tell. And she suspected one or to of the comments she couldn't understand were what might pass for compliments.

"I'm not going to complain if that's what you're wondering. I've had worse days in the Warehouse. Especially when the place is annoyed with me."