Disciple of War (Art of the Adept Book 4)

by Michael G. Manning

  “I’ve been just a wizard since I gave up the elementals,” she corrected with a frown.

  He shook his head. “No, I mean you’re a real wizard now, a first-order wizard.”

  “Well, despite all the suffering you put me through, I don’t feel any different.”

  “We could stop here,” said Will.

  “What do you mean, stop?”

  He answered with a shrug. “You don’t have to try for second- and third-order. You’ve doubled your lifespan. That’s a lot of years, easily enough to get truly sick of me. If you don’t want to go through the rest of the misery, you could stop at first-order.”

  He saw a look of temptation flicker across her features, but then she scowled and answered, “No way. You’re going to live eight times as long as normal, or four times more than me now. I’m going all the way.”

  “Then it’s time for your second compression,” he announced.

  “See! You weren’t just congratulating me. You were getting ready to make me suffer once more.”

  “Don’t worry, this one isn’t nearly as bad as the first one. You already know how to control your source. You just have to adjust to keeping it half the size it currently is. Your body is absorbing turyn, and once it can keep up with this new level of deprivation, you’ll be back to normal.”

  Selene finished the last of her tea and placed the cup carefully down. “If it’s so easy, why weren’t there more second-order wizards back in Arrogan’s day?”

  “I wasn’t there obviously, but from what Arrogan tells me it was a combination of two factors, laziness and talent. Most first-order wizards didn’t push their students to surpass them, and even those that did had to carefully gauge whether the apprentice was likely to succeed, because if they didn’t it meant death. No one wants a reputation for killing their apprentices.”

  She nodded thoughtfully. “That makes sense. Did Arrogan say how he decided whether they were likely to succeed?”

  “Not when I went through it, but he’s given me a lot more insight into the process as you’ve progressed. He says the main factor is how quickly you adapt to each compression. If it takes more than two or three months, it’s risky to proceed to the next stage. Apparently, most of those who died in the past were students who took more than six months to adapt.”

  “And what if it takes me say, four months to adjust to the second compression?”

  “Then you might succeed, but it would be risky. If you can’t adapt within two months, I don’t think we should try for third-order.”

  “You said two or three!”

  “I’d rather not take risks with your life.”

  The conversation didn’t go anywhere from there, as they just circled each other with their arguments. Eventually they gave up, and Will went ahead and adjusted Selene’s source-cage, forcing her to compress her source by half once again. Being the second compression, it wasn’t nearly as dramatic as the first. Selene kept her turyn under tight control, though she was soon seriously fatigued again. The second—and equally distressing consequence was that she couldn’t sleep peacefully through the night anymore.

  Two weeks passed before she was able to sleep soundly, and once again, Will found his own patience and sanity tested by her rotten mood. He would never again underestimate the importance of good sleep for a healthy marriage.

  More weeks went by, and as the end of the second month approached, Will began to worry. Selene was still listless and constantly tired. All he could do was watch and wait—and occasionally force her to exercise, which served to further endear him to her. In his free time, he continued his own practice, both at spells, at cooking, and his irregular sparring sessions with Blake.

  Summer ended and fall arrived as Wurthaven returned to life and Will’s third year started. He was forced to take yet another year of Composition to improve his writing skills, but he was done with Math and Alchemy. Since he had more freedom now to choose his curriculum, he signed up for Advanced Spell Theory as well as Principles of Ritual Design, both of which would put him in close proximity to Master Courtney, who would be interested to learn of his results with Selene. He also took Practical Warding and Linear Enchanting, mainly because Selene recommended them. Practical Warding took the most persuasion on her part. Since Will could walk through most wards, he didn’t see the point in them, but his wife kindly pointed out that that wasn’t true for the majority of humans.

  He could have stopped with those, but she suggested he take one more, Principles of Healing. Will didn’t see the point, though. “I grew up assisting my mother. I already know enough about the human body.”

  “Not about magic and the human body, though,” Selene reminded him.

  “I have regeneration potions if something serious happens.”

  Being constantly fatigued left Selene with a short temper most days. “Well, that’s just fine for you, but what about the poor bastards around you?”

  “Are we talking about the upcoming campaign?” asked Will.

  She threw up her hands. “Of course! Why do you think I’ve been suggesting the classes I have?”

  “Because you liked them.”

  “No,” she snarled. “Wards are useful when you set up camp, so someone doesn’t sneak in and kill you. Simple enchantments could help with traps or any number of other things, and healing will help you to help those around you.”

  “Alchemy seems better suited to it.”

  “How many regeneration potions do you have?”

  “Thirty-four.”

  “And knowing you, you’d use one every time someone near you gets injured. You’ve seen war before. How long will that last?”

  Will nodded. “Good point.”

  “I’d rather you not use them on anyone but yourself or someone close to you, like Tiny, and in secret if you can manage it. If others find out you have them, they’ll be begging you for them night and day.”

  “So, what do you think I’ll learn in an introductory Healing class? I remember seeing you in Barrowden treating soldiers. It didn’t look like you used much magic.”

  “Well, you have the foundations already. You know your anatomy and you’re capable of stitching wounds. You won’t have time to get into the more advanced healing spells, but you can at least learn the ones that allow you to speed wound healing, prevent infection, reduce fever—the list goes on.”

  “Prevent infection, eh? Blood-cleanse potions.”

  Selene sighed. “Yes, the potions are better, but you’re going to need even more of those than you will the regeneration potions. Spells can clean and keep wounds from turning septic. It’s faster and more efficient than wasting a potion that could treat a more serious blood infection or gangrene.”

  “But…”

  “Why are you arguing about this so much?”

  “We both know I’ll be leaving in the spring, so this will probably be my last semester. I thought it would be nice to have more time at home—with you. Especially once you’re done with these annoying compressions,” he explained.

  That earned him a rare smile, but it quickly vanished. “We’ll have centuries if you can live through this war. Turn that logic around. If this is your last semester then you should make the most of it. In fact, you should use your spare time to do some reading on military tactics and old campaigns.”

  “You’re a harsh taskmaster.”

  Selene arched one brow. “Oh? And what have you been doing to me these past months?”

  “Touché.”

  Chapter 7

  School began, and Will’s life grew more complicated as he had expected. He did in fact sign up for the class on Healing, so his days were full. Selene was still adjusting to her second compression during the first few weeks, so Will was careful not to give her any orders that might overwork her unless he was at home, which meant evenings only. Fortunately, a few days after the third month mark, Selene seemed to have almost fully adapted to the second compression.

  In her mind, this meant s
he was ready to attempt the third, but Will was still reluctant. According to the guidelines that Arrogan had given him, she was likely to succeed since she had adapted to the second compression after roughly three months, but there was still risk.

  “Too bad,” she told him. “We have four or five months before we leave for the army. If I’m to be ready by then, we need to start soon.”

  They were eating their evening meal on a Friday close to the end of his first month back at school. Will stiffened at her words. “We leave for the army? I don’t recall anything about you coming with me.”

  She smiled broadly. “I don’t trust you alone with all those big, burly soldiers.”

  “Huh?”

  “They’re perverts. You’re too pretty to be left alone with them.” Selene enjoyed his confusion for a moment before adding, “That’s what you always say about your cousin, Sammy. I think the rule applies to you as well.”

  Will laughed, then studied his reflection using the flat of his butter knife. “You have a point,” he admitted with a wink. Then he turned the knife on its traditional enemy, slicing off a pat of butter for his bread. The gesture underscored his response. “I won’t refuse your flattery and sweet words, but no matter how you butter me up, I’m not bringing you along.”

  Selene sighed. “It’s too bad I’m a princess and you’re only a duke, then. I don’t have to do as you say.”

  “And what of my authority as your husband?”

  She held up one finger. “First, there was no such vow during our marriage, not that you’re a proponent of such things. Second, according to Terabinia’s laws, only a direct descendant of Lognion the First can rule, so if I were to ascend to the throne, you wouldn’t become king, you’d be the prince-consort. If my authority would exceed yours then, it should also exceed yours now.”

  “Did you study law before going to Wurthaven?”

  “No, but raised as a royal, my entire childhood was an education in the law and its application. Don’t try to distract me from the topic at hand.”

  “There’s always the heart-stone enchantment,” he teased.

  Her face darkened. “Don’t even joke about that.”

  “Don’t worry. I swore I wouldn’t use it against you except for your training, and I won’t betray my word.”

  “Good. Then there’s nothing you can do to stop me.” Before he could respond, she switched subjects. “I need to borrow some money.”

  Will’s jaw dropped. “Do you mean from the bank?”

  “No, I meant from you.”

  He activated the limnthal. “I think I still have four or five hundred marks stored away, but I can’t imagine you needing such a small sum.”

  Selene began laughing and waved her hands at him to stop. “It’s for Laina’s charity. They need more, and she won’t accept anything from me at present.”

  He stared at her blankly.

  “Ten thousand marks should be a trivial amount for you.”

  His mouth fell open again.

  She frowned. “Have you looked at your accounting ledgers yet?”

  “I have account books?” He had a vague memory of Blake mentioning something about the Arenatas’ estate, but he hadn’t been paying close attention at the time. His focus for the past few months had been almost entirely on Selene’s training.

  The smirk on her face told him what she thought of his remark. “I’ll show you after we finish. They’re on the right-hand bookcase in the study.”

  A feeling of unease passed over him. “I should look now. It’s been months since your father made me a duke. There could be problems I need to address.”

  “There were,” she said in a tone that was probably meant to reassure him, though the answer did the opposite. “I went over them when it became apparent that you were preoccupied.”

  “What sort of problems?”

  “Nothing serious. Some of the taxes weren’t being collected properly, and the accounting system was outdated and obtuse. I’ve clarified it since then.”

  Will frowned. “When did you do all this?”

  “Mostly before you started torturing me with the compressions. Since then, Blake has been managing the monthly necessaries.”

  Will frowned. “Blake?”

  “He’s a butler, Will. That’s his job. He’s been doing the heavy lifting for my accounts since I was a girl. To be honest, he taught me more about the subject than I learned from my tutors.”

  “But…”

  “You have a seneschal who manages things at the estate. He’s just sending the summary reports and important documents along for you to look at. Blake can handle those, and if there’s anything you need to see he’ll let us know. However, you should spend a few days to familiarize yourself with things. It won’t do for you to be completely in the dark about matters there.”

  “As I’ve been for the past few months,” said Will darkly.

  “You had other things to worry about,” she said primly. “I’m your first duty, as you are mine. I needed to get through this training, and you didn’t need any extra distractions.”

  “It’s so nice of you to decide my priorities for me,” he said sarcastically. “Back to your loan question. Why would you need to borrow money from the ducal accounts? Shouldn’t a royal princess have more money than a duke?”

  “The king does,” she stated, “but the rest of the family are given more modest lands and estates to support us.”

  “Family?”

  “If there were any others. Father keeps a host of minor titles and estates under his personal control, but if the family expanded, he would hand some of them out.”

  “It seems strange that the royal family consists of just you and Lognion.”

  Selene looked away. “I thought it was simple misfortune until recently, but now that I understand the man that sired me better, the more sinister it seems. I don’t know the reason for it, but I no longer think that the consistent death of every royal not of the direct line of kings is an accident.”

  “The master vampire said he was centuries old,” said Will.

  She shook her head. “I still can’t believe it. Father is evil, but I can’t believe he’s somehow been pretending to die and pass the crown to himself over and over. Someone would have figured it out.”

  “Magic can accomplish a lot. He could just be long-lived if he’s a true wizard.” Will would have said more but a girl appeared in the doorway. She looked young, slim, and boyish, as though she had just begun her journey to womanhood. He frowned, wondering who had let the girl in.

  Selene lifted her chin and addressed the girl. “Yes, Melina?”

  “I’ve laid out the linens you requested and folded the others, Your Highness. If you wish to examine them since it’s my first day.” The girl kept her eyes on the floor.

  Selene’s voice was firm as she replied, “Come here, Melina.” Pushing her chair back, she stood. “Closer.” When Melina was standing directly in front of her, Selene reached out and put one hand under the girl’s chin, gently raising it. “Look me in the eye.”

  “Yes, Your Highness,” answered the girl, quietly terrified.

  “I don’t know who you worked for before, but I am not cruel or unfair, Melina. When you speak to me, I prefer to see your eyes. There’s no need to look at the ground. Understood?”

  “Yes, Your Highness.”

  “Milady will be sufficient unless we have guests, Melina.”

  “Yes, Your—milady.”

  Selene smiled. “Don’t worry about me inspecting your work. If I have any issues, I’ll talk to you tomorrow so you can correct them. For now, it’s late. I’m sure your supper is waiting on you in the kitchen. Eat and get some rest.”

  After the girl had left, Will sipped at his ale, then remarked, “Every time I look around there’s someone new in the house. I don’t understand why we need so many people.”

  “Because I don’t like working Blake to death,” Selene replied primly. “I think you put several extra
years on him while I was gone. There’s more to managing a household than cooking meals.”

  “Nothing we can’t do for ourselves.”

  “Your time isn’t your own anymore, Will. If you try to live as you did before you married me, you’ll run yourself into the ground.”

  “That girl is barely more than a child,” he pointed out.

  “And her family is likely depending on every coin she brings home. Something else for you to think about now that you’re one of the wealthiest men in Terabinia. Spending money is your civic duty to keep the economy moving.”

  “Wealthiest?” Will dropped his fork and stood. “I’m finished eating. Mind if I go up to the study without you?”

  Selene smirked. “I’ll join you in a moment. I want to enjoy this tart.” She took another dainty bite.

  Upstairs, he started looking through the ledgers, but it was difficult to sort out the important details. His math skills were excellent, but accounting was a foreign subject to him. Selene arrived ten minutes later and patiently explained the books to him, pointing out the important summaries that detailed expenses and revenue, as well as his current cash on hand. Will found the numbers hard to believe.

  “That can’t be right,” he said as he stared at the figure.

  “It is,” she affirmed.

  “The decimal must be misplaced,” he asserted. “That’s more than a million gold marks. I doubt there’s that much gold in the entire country.”

  Selene laughed. “You’re wrong there, but you’re also right. If you wanted to put that much in one place in solid coin, it would be difficult. Part of that total is representative of financial instruments, such as credit owed to you by the bank and other debtors. Even so, more than three-fourths of it is hard cash. If you look at the last five years, you’ll also see that the total on hand fluctuates considerably, as the expenses and revenues are not fixed. That’s why it’s important to keep at least half that much in hand from year to year, to prevent insolvency in the event of unforeseen problems.”

  “Insolvency?” The word was entirely foreign to him.

  She nodded. “It’s an ugly word to a nobleman, almost worse than bankruptcy, which it inevitably leads to. It means a situation in which you find yourself unable to come up with the money to meet your current expenses, even if only briefly.”