Disciple of War (Art of the Adept Book 4)

by Michael G. Manning

  She frowned. “They’ve hardly rested. We’ve been marching for two days. They’re just as tired as the soldiers—”

  “I don’t care,” he snapped, cutting her off. “They can sleep in the morning.” He stopped there, staring at her.

  Laina looked between him and her father for a moment, uncertain. Then Mark Nerrow spoke up, “I think he means now.”

  Her face colored, but she said nothing as she backed out. Will called after her, “Return as soon as you’ve spoken to Janice. I’ll need you again.”

  Mark chuckled. “She’s going to make you suffer for that later. What’s the news?”

  “Everyone’s suffering,” said Will waspishly. Wasting few words, he explained the news he’d received from the scouts.

  His father’s reaction was mild. “You probably should have expected something like this. You’ve made them desperate.”

  “I’m looking for advice.”

  The sub-marshal shrugged. “This doesn’t affect us in any material way. There’s no need to alter your plans.”

  Will found himself grinding his teeth. It was this aspect of his father that he despised the most, despite the recent improvements in their relationship. The man was a noble, born and bred, and the suffering of the lower classes didn’t bother him much. But it was also why he needed the man’s advice. “As a landowner, you’ve had to manage many people and villages over the years. How bad do you think this will hurt the locals?”

  The baron grew thoughtful and pondered for a full minute before answering, “The first spring harvest is crucial in most regions. They’ve probably used up most of what they had to get through the winter, if it wasn’t taken to supply Maldon already. Even if there weren’t a war on and they could replant immediately, it will be eight weeks…” He stopped to rub his chin. “I’d figure most of the elderly and the very young won’t last, but the majority of the working generation will probably survive, though they’ll come through much lighter than they started.”

  “And that doesn’t bother you?”

  His father studied him for a moment. “You should know by now that I’m not a heartless bastard, nor am I entirely bound by tradition and class limits—your mother is proof enough of that—but in the end, these are not my people. I can’t afford to allow excessive compassion to weaken my resolve in this war—and neither can you.”

  The candor surprised him. Will had never heard the man bring Erisa up in conversation, even when they were alone. The mention of something so close to him might have unnerved him under normal circumstances, but he was already angry and worried. Worried for the people no one seemed to care about. His features hardened as he replied, “That’s where you’re wrong. These are our people.”

  “Maybe once we win this war but—”

  “Those are the thoughts of a loser,” Will interrupted, passion filling his voice. “Think like a king instead. We will win this war, we must. In considering the people here, we must make decisions based on the future reality that we are now creating. Though they do not realize it yet, these are citizens of a new Terabinia. Thinking of them as anything else will only delay their admission into our society.”

  Mark Nerrow’s face took on a look of consternation. “Ideals are a fine thing, son, so long as you don’t fully invest yourself in them. As a man of influence, you must learn to hold them at arm’s length lest they consume you.”

  He shook his head. “As much as I despise our king, this is something I’ve learned from him, or in spite of him.” Will paused for a second, thinking, then continued, “No, I think it was from him. Lognion believes in very little, but his confidence in himself is absolute. He will do anything to maintain his power, and fortunately he has decided that for the most part, maintaining a safe and healthy kingdom accomplishes that goal.”

  His father blanched at the mention of the king. “He’s evil, not to mention mad. You are not the former, though at times I begin to wonder about your sanity. Don’t make me doubt you further.”

  Will’s jaw firmed. “If this is madness, I will embrace it, not for my own sake, but for the sake of those who have no power for themselves. I’m not sure I know the difference between evil and expedience anymore, but we’re going to help those people.”

  Laina stepped into the room then. She’d returned several minutes ago and had been waiting outside, listening to their conversation. Will’s ears had warned him of her presence, but he hadn’t minded her listening. As she entered, he could see a determination in her eyes that matched his own. “If he’s mad, count me in with him, Father,” she announced. “This was one of my two main reasons for coming along for this war.”

  The baron looked back and forth between his two rebellious children, then sighed. “Rather than argue over vague principles, tell me what you intend to do.”

  “We’re going to feed them,” said Will.

  Chapter 35

  Will’s first orders went with three riders that night, one for First Division, one for the men stationed at the crossroads, and one for Commander Bradshaw back in Klendon. Laina would be leaving with Darla and a small escort of two squads the next morning, bound for Klendon as well. Will’s orders had been clear, but she had felt that making a personal appearance there to reinforce the seriousness of his commands would be helpful. Plus, she was personally connected with the senior leadership within the Mothers of Terabinia, who had lent the majority of their resources to Bradshaw’s logistical efforts.

  It wouldn’t be easy to ignore her.

  She had fretted over leaving him without protection, or rather without Darla’s protection, but her bodyguard steadfastly refused to let her travel alone. Will assured her he would take every precaution.

  “You’d better,” Laina warned. “If you die then I’ll have broken my promise to Selene.”

  He smirked. “I’d be a little upset about it as well. You should go get some rest. You’ve got a long road ahead of you in the morning.”

  She nodded but didn’t move. “What are you going to do about the attack on First Division?”

  “We don’t know how serious it is yet. I suspect it’s just a feint, or even worse, that Lustral may have tipped the Darrowans off to force me to abandon my attempt at taking Maldon. So, for now, I’m sticking to my plan. The Third has already moved up to reinforce them. With two full divisions, the Patriarch would have to throw everything he has at them, and he can’t afford the cost in soldiers.”

  “That’s logical,” observed Laina, “but people don’t always do what’s logical. Isn’t your cousin in First Division? Aren’t you worried about him?”

  There was a hard lump in his stomach, but Will kept his features relaxed. “His name is Eric, but I’m confident he’ll be safe. Even though I can’t let that knowledge affect my decisions, I still feel confident. The Darrowans will keep retreating toward Myrsta, they can’t afford not to, and if Lustral really is a traitor, they won’t want to engage him. Wherever Lustral is will be the safest place in this army.” It has to be, he added mentally.

  “It’s a gamble then,” said Laina.

  Will shook his head. He’d studied hard before the war. He’d stayed up to date on all the intelligence reports before they left, and he had the best advisor in the world in the ring on his hand. His plans might seem sudden or abrupt, but that was simply proof that they would also surprise the enemy. Everything had been carefully thought out. “It isn’t gambling.”

  “You’re gambling that your information and your thinking is better than the enemy’s. I’m not disagreeing with you. So far, you’ve proved your critics wrong at every turn, but just be aware that no matter how sure you are, in war, everything is ultimately a gamble.”

  He was beginning to grow irritated with his sister’s preaching. “Do you have a point?”

  She nodded. “I’ve never played a high-stakes game, but I remember what Father always says about gambling. Never gamble with anything you aren’t willing to lose.”

  Will’s eyes narrowed. “Yo
u think I should give up Maldon, just in case? I won’t do that.”

  “I think your plan is sound. Instead, I think you should send for your cousin. You’re the Royal Marshal, you can do what you want. Make up an excuse, doesn’t matter what it is. Bring him here and position him somewhere out of harm’s way.”

  How often had he wished to do that very thing? Will clenched his jaw. “I can’t do that. Not only would it violate my own principles regarding privilege, but Eric wouldn’t thank me for it either. He’d be furious if he thought I was trying to protect him. Not to mention everyone he’s fought with would see the move for exactly what it is, nepotism.”

  Laina’s eyes caught fire. “Don’t look at me like that when you say nepotism. I know what you think of the nobility. I care more for the common people than anyone else in this camp.”

  “And yet you’re still advising me to abuse my power to assist a family member,” he shot back.

  “Yes! Just because you were raised a peasant doesn’t make you more virtuous! In fact, most commoners would make the same decision without even thinking twice about it.”

  “When you’re utterly without power, you can’t abuse it,” he corrected. “The only thing the lower classes can do is take care of one another.”

  “Well don’t say I didn’t warn you, peasant,” growled Laina. “I truly hope you don’t find out why the nobility don’t hesitate to use their power to benefit their family. Don’t come crying to me if something bad happens.”

  In the midst of her rebuttal, Will felt his heart soften. Misguided she might be, but he knew Laina was trying to protect him. “Even peasants have pride, you noble-bitch,” he responded, but there was no venom in his voice and a smile played at the corner of his lips.

  Her eyes went wide at the vulgar insult, but then the fire in them died. “If you hadn’t married into the royal family, I’d have you whipped for that. Turn around.”

  “Why?” he asked, but he turned around anyway.

  Laina’s arms encircled his waist. “So, I don’t have to look at your face, pig.” She squeezed tightly, then added, “Keep yourself safe. If anything happens to you, I’ll come back and kill you all over again, but I’ll make it twice as painful.”

  She left, and he went for a short walk to the edge of the camp, muttering a particular name quietly to himself. The urgency of the current situation meant he needed to finish matters in Maldon as quickly as possible, and that in turn meant he needed to use every resource available to him. He felt a response as soon as he said her name, and soon after he reached the edge of the camp, he saw her approach. Will crossed the wards because he didn’t think Tailtiu could cross without setting off the alarm.

  Her eyes were approving as she studied the ward lines behind him. “Your wisdom has grown, master.”

  Will frowned. “That doesn’t suit you. You’ve never called me that before.”

  “I’ve never been who I am before,” Tailtiu replied whimsically. “Until I figure out what that means, I intend to serve you with the fervent obedience of a devoted slave.” She licked her lips at the end.

  She’s definitely still who she was, he observed silently. “Don’t call me master,” he ordered. “I’ll use a favor if necessary.”

  She lifted one brow, then called his bluff. “Go ahead.”

  Not one to back down, he replied, “In exchange for one of the unbound favors you owe me, I demand that you not address me as master.”

  Tailtiu smiled impishly. “Certainly, master. Anything you wish, master.” She moved forward as she spoke, and before he could get over his shock and decide if she was a threat, she brought one hand slowly up and then seized the back of his neck. The other hand found his waist, pulling him tightly to her in an iron grip. She was impossibly strong.

  “Stop! What are you doing? You realize this puts you further in debt,” he warned, fighting to keep his panic hidden. How did she ignore my order?

  “I don’t care,” she whispered, breathing heavily into neck. “Nothing can bind me anymore. I can do whatever I please.”

  “What’s come over you?”

  Her teeth found his earlobe, sending a tiny jolt of pain through him. “Free will—master. How do you like it?” The hand that had been on his hip migrated lower, kneading his backside like dough while her thigh moved against his groin. “It seems like you do like it.”

  He tried to break free, but the hand behind his neck held on with fingers that felt harder than steel. Will had fought her many times in the past, and he knew how strong she was. The key was never letting her get so close, because at the moment he had no leverage. She could snap his neck like a twig if she chose, and though he wasn’t sure what had changed—her rules no longer seemed to circumscribe her actions.

  Desperate, he wondered if he could initiate a force-lance close enough to his body to drive her away. He wasn’t sure he could, and it wouldn’t kill her, but he also wasn’t sure if it was the best option. Will hissed in pain as her fingers dug into his neck, forcing him to be still.

  Tailtiu froze. “What was that?”

  “You’re hurting me,” Will answered. “I’m not immune to pain. That’s what humans do when they’re hurt.”

  The expression on her face shifted, her body relaxed, and then after a moment, Tailtiu released him. “Forgive me, master. I did not mean to hurt you.”

  He glared at her. “Then what the hell did you mean to do?”

  She leered. “I think that’s obvious, but I didn’t intend to cause you pain.” For a moment, she stared into the air off to one side, deep in thought. “Is there a way to force you without causing pain?”

  She’s actually serious. Will tried not to gape. “No, and even if there was, it would still hurt me here.” He pointed at his heart. “Emotional pain is even worse than physical pain. You know I’m faithful to my wife.”

  “You would still be faithful if I forced you,” argued Tailtiu.

  He shook his head. “It would still hurt me. I don’t understand what’s going on here. You’re willing to rape me, but you balk at causing pain? What’s going on in your mind?”

  His aunt shrugged. “I’m learning. My only firm conclusion so far is that pain is evil, but I’m not really sure about right and wrong. They seem very arbitrary. If I do what I want and no one is hurt, is it really wrong?”

  “That depends,” he answered. “Why aren’t you following your rules?”

  “I think it’s this soul,” said Tailtiu. “None of the old traditions restrain me anymore. I’m like you, only better.”

  “How so?”

  “Limitless magic and immortality,” she responded immediately. “You should let me change you. Then you could be like me.”

  “But I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t have a soul anymore. Whatever it is that has happened to you Tailtiu, you’re the only one.”

  She thought for a moment, then her eyes softened. “If you lost your soul from the change, I could give you half of mine.”

  That would be incredibly sweet, even romantic, if she wasn’t an amoral killer who scared the shit out of me, thought Will. “Well you can’t. Let me decide what’s right and wrong for now, until you get a better understanding of your newfound freedom.”

  She nodded happily. “That is precisely why I call you master, master.”

  He sighed. “I guess I’m stuck with that moniker.” Then something else struck him. “If favors and debts no longer bind you, what about the truth? Can you lie now?”

  “No,” she replied, “not at all,” as her head nodded, and her lips smiled an affirmation.

  “Mother help us all,” he swore.

  “Mother says I’m an abomination,” she chimed in.

  “I didn’t mean her—never mind. I called you here because I need your aid. Will you still help me, even though you’re free?”

  Tailtiu nodded. “I already told you. You’re my master now, my guide. I will serve in any way I can.”

  It was difficult to fathom the strangeness within her
. She claims she’ll do anything, yet just a moment ago she was prepared to force me… Will shook his head to clear it. From now on I will have to be doubly careful around her. “I need a mist,” he told her. “Enough to cover the entire city of Maldon for a day. Can you do it?”

  She smiled wickedly. “Where your sorcerers and other servants are lacking, I can provide whatever you need. I am all you need.”

  “Be ready. It will either be tomorrow or the next day. I’ll call you when it’s time.”

  She bowed.

  “And Tailtiu…”

  “Yes?”

  His eyes were hard. “If you ever do that again, I won’t hold back.”

  Her nostrils flared, and she licked her lips once again. “I wouldn’t want you to.”

  “No. I mean I’ll blow your goddamn head off if you even get close enough to touch me. I won’t let my guard down around you again.”

  Tailtiu’s lips quirked up on one side. “I knew what you meant. It is wise to be cautious with me. I am an abomination after all, just as you made me—master.”

  Something about her tone made him want to shiver, but he kept himself still. Unsure what else to say, he responded simply by dismissing her. “You can go for now.”

  “Are you aware there is another following you?” she asked suddenly, making no move to leave.

  “Another what? A person, or…?”

  “A blood drinker,” she answered, her face showing disgust and perhaps a bit of fear.

  Will frowned. “One came after me a few nights ago.”

  His aunt shook her head. “Not that one. I’ve been following your army since you left Terabinia. This one has been stalking you since you left the city, as closely as he dared.” She jerked her head toward the darkness. “I’m sure he’s out there now somewhere. He can see magic, or he would have blundered into your new defenses already.”

  Was it a vampire mage? Could it be the one that put the light protection spells on the vampire in Klendon? Or a different one? Or was it Rob? As usual, he had more questions than answers. “I’m surprised you didn’t do something about him,” said Will.