Disciple of War Disciple of War (Art of the Adept #4) - Michael G. Manning Page 0,76

the way he imagined the tunic hung from his shoulders. Selene had insisted he looked dashing, but his own glance in the mirror had confirmed his own underwhelming opinion.

A second man stepped out of the house, and for a moment Will almost didn’t recognize his cousin. He’d long ago seen the signs that Eric would share his father’s sturdy frame, but a few years, army food, and hard training had turned his cousin into an unreasonably handsome man. Light brown hair and beard, shoulders to match his father’s, tall, lean, and well-muscled—Eric looked so good that Will couldn’t help but feel a bit of envy.

While he goggled at his grinning cousin, Selene stepped forward and affected a warm and almost shy demeanor as she greeted Johnathan Cartwright. “It’s been too long since we were able to visit, but I hope—”

Johnathan cut her off, “—save your apologies for Erisa. I’m just glad to see you.” His expression was open and friendly. “We’re family now, but I have to ask, is it allowed to hug princesses?”

“Depends on the situation,” she answered. “In Cerria, only in private, but here—I’d love it if you could treat me just as you would your own son’s wife.” Almost before she had finished, Will’s uncle stepped forward and swept her up into a massive hug before swinging her around with an enthusiastic ‘whoop.’ Her feet flew out as he spun, and then a second later he put her down.

The respite was short-lived, for Eric followed his father’s example and snatched her up again, spinning around several times until she was dizzy. Will steadied her when her feet found the ground again, then embraced his uncle and cousin in turn. After a second, he held Eric out at arm’s length. “What the hell have you been eating?”

“Hard work and clean living,” answered Eric. “Besides, I’m pretty sure whatever you’re eating is even better.” Eric’s hands squeezed Will’s upper arms, elbows, and then his wrists. “You’ve filled out even more than I have.”

Will frowned. “I had a lot farther to go, and from what I can see I doubt I’ll ever catch up.”

After their greetings were done, Eric and his father closed up the shop and together the four of them started walking along the forest trail that led toward Arrogan’s old house deeper in the Glenwood Forest. No roads or large paths went to the old shack, which was the main reason that they had left the carriage (and the carriage driver) at Will’s old home.

In years past, Will could have run to their destination in fifteen to twenty minutes, but with four of them walking at a regular pace the journey took half an hour. Along the way, Will asked his cousin about his appearance. He hadn’t expected a chance to see both Johnathan and Eric on the same day.

“Dad got word to me when he heard you were coming, and I was lucky enough to have some leave coming to me close to it. I only had to trade days with a few friends and get the captain’s approval to be here today,” said Eric.

“Still, it must have been a bit of trouble for you,” Will replied.

His cousin shrugged. “Not too much. I think you forget who you are now.” Eric’s eyes shifted to Selene and back before winking at him. “My captain was only too happy to let me visit with my cousins-in-law.”

“That reminds me. Which unit are you in?” asked Will.

“As the Royal Marshal I figured you’d have had one of your assistants look up that information for you by now,” replied Eric.

Will sidestepped a fallen tree limb, offering a hand to Selene as she stepped over, then responded, “I’m still new to this, and to be honest, I wasn’t even sure if I should ask.”

Eric frowned in confusion, but his father clarified Will’s meaning. “He means he worried about knowing what part of the army his family was in, since it might affect his decision making.”

“Ahh,” said Eric. “I won’t tell you then, even though you asked.”

“First Division, Third Regiment, First Battalion, Company D,” said Will’s uncle decisively.

Will was puzzled, but Eric frowned at his father and asked, “Why’d you do that?”

Eric’s father shrugged. “I’m not burdened by his ethical concerns. If he bends the rules and it keeps you alive, all the better.” Will’s uncle finished by repeating Eric’s division and unit a second time for good measure.

Will laughed while at the same time taking mental notes to make sure he didn’t