---
A few other teachers spoke. A thin woman with ink on her fingers said something about the scribe halls and how not to ruin ink. A broad-shouldered man with gentle hands explained the gymnasiums, how to sign up for drills, and why you should not challenge a wall to a contest. A short, round proctor with a loud voice that sounded like it had been trained in markets told them where to find the lost-and-found (under the stairs where the stairs think you cannot see them), where to find soup (west side, smells like onions all day), and where not to kiss (everywhere, but especially not in the stair mouths because the stairs gossip).
Fizz took furious fake notes. "No kissing in stair mouths," he whispered to John. "Add to rule sheet."
Then the hall shifted without moving. The air seemed to sit up. Even the dust looked like it was trying to pay attention.
Headmaster Snake walked onto the stage.
