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Intrigued gazes turned her way again. This time, it was Silver Hair who regarded her
triumphantly. The younger guy's features flushed with anger.
"Guardians are the best battle resources we have."
"They are," she agreed, "but that doesn't give you the right to take them away from their duty."
Silver Hair practically glowed.
"Then how are we supposed to learn?" demanded the other guy.
"The same way guardians do," Lissa informed him. "If you want to learn to fight, go to the
academies. Form classes and start at the beginning, the same way the novices do. That way, you
won't be taking guardians away from active protection. It's a safe environment, and the
guardians there specialize in teaching students anyway." She paused thoughtfully. "You could
even start making defense part of the standard curriculum for Moroi students already there."
Astonished stares fell on her, mine included. It was such an elegant solution, and everyone else
around us realized it. It gave no party 100 percent of its demands, but it met most in a way that
didn't really harm the other side. Pure genius. The other Moroi studied her with wonder and
fascination.
Suddenly, everyone started talking at once, excited about the idea. They drew Lissa in, and
soon there was a passionate conversation going on about her plan. I got shuffled to the edges
and decided that was just fine. Then I retreated altogether and sought out a corner near a door.
Along the way, I passed a server with a tray of hors d'oeuvres. Still hungry, I eyed them
suspiciously but saw nothing that looked like the foie gras from the other day. I gestured to one
that looked like some sort of braised, rare meat.
"Is that goose liver?" I asked.
She shook her head. "Sweetbread."
That didn't sound bad. I reached for it.
"It's pancreas," said a voice behind me. I jerked back.