Disciple of War Disciple of War (Art of the Adept #4) - Michael G. Manning Page 0,152

passed through on the way to Klendon, or are they still to the east of us?”

Janice made an appeal to logic. “If they were retreating, it would be reasonable to assume they wouldn’t leave anyone here. They couldn’t leave a unit behind if the entire Darrowan army was about to pass through in pursuit.”

Her reasoning was sound, but Will wasn’t convinced. “If two divisions passed through in a hurry, followed by an even larger enemy force, we’d see signs of their passing. That many men moving quickly can’t keep themselves strictly to the roadway. It just isn’t big enough.” He waved his hands at the road’s verges, which were still mostly covered in grass. “We came through at a reasonable pace and kept to the road. There’s no sign of a hurried retreat here.”

“If we’d waited to travel with the army, you would have scouts to send out,” said Tiny in a sour tone.

Will’s face brightened. “You’re right, and maybe I still can.” He turned to Janice. “Get a force-dome ready. I want you two inside it when I give the word.”

She had already guessed who he was calling for. “Is that really necessary? We helped save her after all.”

He had already whispered the name three times and felt a response. Tailtiu was coming. “She’s stronger than all three of us and has no understanding of restraint or morals.” He looked past her to Tiny, then back again. “She had a rather strong attraction to him in the past, and I have no way of controlling her now that bargains no longer bind her actions.”

“I’ll put up a force-dome,” she replied without reservation.

“Make it as small as possible to conserve turyn. You may have to stay in there for a while,” suggested Will. Janice nodded and began the spell construct. Once her attention was diverted, he looked at Tiny and mouthed the words, ‘you’re welcome.’

The big man’s expression was confused until Janice finished. “Stand close to me,” she commanded. “No, closer. Don’t be so shy.”

The squire was beginning to blush, even though there was still half a foot between them. Will guessed it was a small enough distance, but apparently Janice had also decided to capitalize on the moment, though her face revealed nothing. Stepping into him, she put her arms around Tiny. “Like this, so I don’t have to waste my magic.” She released the spell, leaving very little wiggle room for the warrior to distance himself.

Will tried not to laugh. Tiny had frozen in a strange position, pressing his body outward to try and avoid crowding the woman seemingly trapped beside him. “Stop making such a big deal of this, we’re not exactly strangers,” complained Janice. “We’ve even kissed before.”

Tiny groaned. “Please don’t remind me! Not now, of all times.”

She lifted one brow. “Oh! Was it that repugnant?”

“No!”

“Then what’s the problem?” she asked, turning so she could face the other direction.

“Stop moving!” pleaded the big man.

Will would have kept laughing, but he felt a shift in the currents of turyn. Tailtiu was near. Turning his head, he saw an owl drift down to land in front of him. Moments later it shifted, becoming his aunt’s familiar form, lithe, elfin, and entirely nude. “Pets of yours, master?” she remarked, eyeing his companions.

“Friends. They helped me rescue you, if you recall.”

Tailtiu winced at the memory. “Don’t remind me of that day.” Then she squinted at Tiny. “The big one looks familiar. How long have you kept them prisoner like this?”

“They aren’t prisoners, they’re—”

“Oh! It’s a breeding pair!” she exclaimed. “I didn’t realize humans had such bizarre customs. Is this why you always refused me? Did you need a cage to be properly aroused, like that one?”

“They aren’t a breeding pair,” Will protested.

His aunt winked slyly. “They will be. Just leave them like that a while longer. I can always tell.” One of her hands twitched, plucking strings of turyn from the air. The power began to swirl around her, and vines started to grow in a ring around Will. Within seconds a green cage would be formed.

He closed one fist and exerted his will. What Tailtiu was doing wasn’t a spell, rather it was a form of wild magic, but even so it collapsed instantly. The vines that had already formed lost cohesion and dropped to the ground, while Tailtiu’s turyn dissipated like smoke in a strong wind. “Don’t do that again,” he warned.

Tailtiu’s eyes widened in surprise, and her tongue darted out to move across her lips. “Such strength!”