The Choice of Magic - Michael G. Manning Page 0,115

before, he found a short contract statement at the beginning of the book, and he started reading it.

“You may as well put that down and leave,” said Lieutenant Stanton. “You’ve wasted enough of our time.”

“I still want to enlist, sir,” said Will firmly. “It says here the fee can be refunded if the named individual takes service later.” Then he whistled as he saw the cost. Apparently, his father had paid ten crowns to keep him out of the war.

“Mister Cartwright, I don’t keep gold here, nor do I intend to fill out the forms to make such a request for you,” began the lieutenant.

Will was struck by a sudden inspiration. “My uncle! You don’t need to give me a refund. Just mark it in the roll and put my uncle down for the exemption. He’s lost most of his family. If I take his place, he could take care of his daughter and sister.”

What followed was a long argument that showcased how stubborn Will could be. When it became apparent that he wouldn’t win by logic, Lieutenant Stanton tried authority. “Mister Cartwright, I don’t think you appreciate your position,” he said. “I could have you whipped for insubordination.”

Will shook his head. “I’m a private citizen, sir. You’ll have to let me enlist before you have me punished.”

Lieutenant Stanton turned red at that, and Will wondered if the man might explode, but the sergeant tapped the officer’s arm and took him aside for a moment. The two began talking quietly to one another, and although Will’s hearing had become slightly better after Tailtiu’s healing, he still couldn’t quite understand them. He did catch a couple of words, though, ‘Nerrow’ and ‘bastard.’ He clenched his jaw, since it wouldn’t do him any good to start a fight over that.

A moment later the lieutenant returned. “Very well, Mister Cartwright. I’ll allow you to enlist and we’ll release your uncle from his conscription. Are you happy now?”

“Yes, sir,” said Will, trying not to smile.

“You can have the rest of the day to explain the situation to your uncle and see him off. I’ll expect you back here in the morning to be sworn in. I sincerely hope you aren’t assigned to my company, Mister Cartwright,” said the officer. “Both for your sake and for my peace of mind.”

***

“Will?”

Johnathan Cartwright was surprised, to say the least, when he was brought out to meet his nephew. As happy as Will was to see his uncle, he was momentarily overwhelmed by the thought of the things he would have to tell him. “Uncle Johnathan,” said Will, stepping forward to hug the heavyset man.

As soon as they broke apart his uncle asked, “We heard the news about Barrowden. What happened? Are Doreen and the kids safe? Did they get out in time?”

“Let’s talk after we get a little farther away,” said Will, looking back at the camp. The anxiety in his uncle’s voice made it hard for him to reply calmly.

Will’s deflection undid the older man and Johnathan’s face crumpled. “They’re dead, aren’t they?”

“Sammy is safe,” said Will, his eyes downcast. “Aunt Doreen got her out in time. She shot one of the men after Sammy with your crossbow before—” He couldn’t finish the sentence. “She saved Sammy,” he said at last.

His uncle’s breath was coming in great, heaving gasps, and his next question was almost unintelligible. “And little Doug?”

Will could barely see his own feet, his eyes were so blurry. “He was really brave. He tried to protect them.”

“He was only ten,” whispered his uncle. “What kind of monsters would kill a child?” Will’s uncle sank to his knees.

A quarter of an hour passed before Johnathan Cartwright was able to stand, and when he did he started back toward the camp.

“Where are you going?” asked Will.

“I’m going to kill those bastards,” said Johnathan. “I can’t do it alone. The army is the best way I can think of.”

“Sammy needs you,” said Will. “Mom needs you. I left them alone back there.”

“They didn’t come here with you?”

Will shook his head. “They’re living at the old hermit’s cottage.”

“That’s not safe!” said his uncle, his voice rising. “The Darrowans will sweep the whole valley.”

“I need to tell you some things, Uncle Johnathan,” said Will, glancing around to see if anyone was nearby. “But not here. Come with me. Please?”

His uncle hesitated briefly, then nodded his head and followed Will away from the camp and down the road that led toward the mountain pass. They were almost to the spot