Scholar of Magic (Art of the Adept #3) - Michael G. Manning Page 0,128

shouldn’t bother coming back at all.”

“What about Uncle Johnathan, or Annabelle?”

“Your uncle is living in our old house, so he can be closer to his work. The army is paying him to produce carts again. Annabelle ran away, but she left her son with us. His name is Oliver. He’s napping in the other room. Try not to wake him when you leave.”

“Damn, a lot has changed,” said Will.

“You should visit more often. Maybe it wouldn’t be such a shock.”

“Mom, I had my reasons—”

“That your bride disappeared, and you were afraid to come without her? I’m your mother, William, not the king. Just tell me and I’ll never judge you. I’m on your side, remember? I always will be, no matter how stupid you are, or how angry you make me.”

He stared at her for a moment, at a loss for words. “I’m sorry, Mom.”

“Go. I have a patient and it’s never good to cry in front of a patient,” she told him. Feeling riddled with guilt, he turned and headed for the bedroom. His mother’s voice called to him once more. “William. Make sure you have your mind on what you’re about. Don’t put yourself in danger until you’re focused. You can feel guilty about me after you’re back safe and sound.”

“I will, Mom,” he answered, then stepped through the door. I will? I will what, feel guilty? That was the stupidest answer ever, he chided himself. Then he dropped the topic, shoving it to the back of his mind. Erisa was right. He needed to focus on what he was doing; otherwise he’d wind up in a troll’s belly instead of returning to save anyone.

Chapter 29

Muskeglun was just as pleasant as he remembered it being, which was to say, not at all. Will could feel the oppressive atmosphere settling into his skin within seconds of passing through the congruence point. The air was hot and heavy, and a sweltering miasma of rotting vegetation made sure his nose didn’t feel left out of the fun, either. The friendly local greeters, also known as mosquitos, swarmed closer to make him feel welcome.

“I hate this damn place,” he muttered after activating the limnthal.

“Wherever you go, there you are,” said the ring cheerfully.

“What does that mean?”

“Any place is awful if you’re there,” clarified Arrogan.

“I’m in Muskeglun.”

“Ooh, all right. My mistake. You’re right. Muskeglun is in a class of its own, but think of it this way, you’re bringing happiness and joy to others.”

He wrinkled his brow in puzzlement. “What others?”

“The mosquitos.”

Will chuckled. “At least someone’s happy to see me.”

“Do you have a plan? They were pretty pissed when we left last time.”

He took a deep breath. “I sort of have a plan.”

“What is it?”

“Well, everyone I’ve talked to is pretty opposed to me coming here, for the very reason you mentioned a second ago. But on the other hand, I don’t really have a choice, otherwise I’ll lose one friend and see another maimed for life…”

Arrogan interrupted, “You’re starting to make me anxious. Skip to the plan part.”

“So thus far, in order to convince people to support my decision, I’ve been pretending I had a plan.”

The ring groaned. “And how many people fell for your bullshit?”

“Up to now, very few have given me a chance to explain. The head physician at the school didn’t, so I had to put him to sleep. The king’s Driven tried to arrest me, so I had to run from them. After that, the goddamn cat just showed up and helped without asking what I planned to do. Mom didn’t really ask either.”

“So, no one then?”

“Me,” said Will. “I fooled myself, otherwise I’d have been too scared to come. I did bring a sizeable carrot and an equally large stick, though, plus I have a translator.”

The ring made an audible sigh. “Assuming I’m the translator, what carrot and stick did you bring?”

“Two full butts of ale and twenty vials of alchemist’s fire. I’ve also