Scholar of Magic (Art of the Adept #3) - Michael G. Manning Page 0,114

left the main campus gate and was now walking down the lane, but even as light as she was, Tailtiu’s body was becoming heavy in his arms, and he still had to walk through the city and several miles into the countryside to reach the nearest congruence. “I’ll talk to you some more in a little while,” he said, dismissing the limnthal. He could hear a carriage approaching from farther down the road.

It appeared a moment later, a carriage drawn by four horses, its lanterns glowing with amber light as they swayed from their hooks at the front. Will moved into the center of the road, making sure the driver could see him clearly.

“Get out of the way, fool!” yelled the man, slowing and pulling on the reins to stop the team.

Will remained still, and once the wheels had stopped, he walked forward, and with a quick source-link, paralyzed the driver. He formed a sleep spell while listening to the occupants ask questions, unsure why they had stopped. After a minute one of them opened the door, and Will was waiting. His spell put the two men and their female companion to sleep almost instantly.

Stepping up, he settled Tailtiu on one cushioned bench, though he was forced to put one of the men on the floor. Then he closed the carriage door and climbed up beside the still-paralyzed driver. “I need you to take a short detour for me,” he told the silently terrified man. “Don’t worry. I have no intention of hurting you or your master. I just need a ride. Once we get there you can take the carriage and leave.

“In a moment I’m going to release the spell holding you. If you behave and drive for me I won’t have to put it back on you, since I’m sure you’re a much better driver than I am.” He released the spell and watched the man carefully. “You can move now.”

The poor driver was too frightened to look in his direction. “Yes, sir.”

“Will you drive for me?”

The man nodded. “Yes, sir. You won’t hurt me, will you?”

“Not at all. I’m on the king’s business. This is merely an emergency.”

“Where are you headed?”

“The south gate and then a couple of miles out of the city. You’ll have to turn the carriage and team around. My lady friend can’t walk on her own, and she needs to be there as soon as possible.” The driver nodded and began the process. It was a narrow lane so turning the carriage in the middle of the road was a little tedious. While he did so, Will said one thing more. “Aislinn, Aislinn, Aislinn, thrice called, heed me for your daughter’s sake.”

“Beggin’ your pardon, sir?”

“Just ignore that,” said Will. They rode quietly through the mostly empty streets of Cerria. The driver behaved himself for the most part, though Will noticed a few wild glances when they passed through an area with more people. “I wouldn’t if I were you,” he warned.

The man gulped, and Will felt bad for scaring him. “What did you do to Master Haldane?”

“He’s sleeping, as are the others. They’ll wake up none the worse after you drop us off. I know you don’t believe me, but this is the king’s business. I have no intention of harming honest citizens.”

The driver seemed to relax slightly. “Are you one of the Driven?”

Will wasn’t sure how to answer that. “No, but I’ve met several of them,” he said honestly. “Why would you think that?”

“I’ve heard they wear drab colors and that they’re all sorcerers. They scare the shit out of most people. You’re wearing brown and you scare the shit out of me; it seemed reasonable you might be one of them.”

He fought to suppress a chuckle. “I appreciate the honesty and I’m sorry for all this, truly I am.” Something about his answer upset the man, and he saw silent tears begin to stream down the fellow’s cheeks. “What’s wrong?”

A half-sob escaped the man’s lips. “You’re goin’ to kill me, aren’t you, sir?”

“What? No! Why?”

“They always apologize in the stories, right before they murder them!”