Scholar of Magic (Art of the Adept #3) - Michael G. Manning Page 0,162

I have news you might be interested in.

During the day you were away I received a note from my friend, Drake. He did some more digging for me, and it turns out that the reason that Ethelgren’s Exhortation is kept locked away is that it isn’t safe, not even for display. In years past everyone who has touched it with bare skin has perished. Some suffered immediate seizures; others simply stopped eating and withered away.

Whatever the relic’s secret, it appears to be incompatible with wizards of the present. I wish I had better news. Today I will look into the reputed functions of some of the more benign relics. It may be that some of them are helpful even if they aren’t specifically related to the current situation.

I’ll find you tomorrow. I know you’re probably worried about me. I just need a little time to adjust before I face the prying eyes of others.

Your friend,

Janice

“What does it say?” asked Tiny.

“I forgot you couldn’t read,” muttered Will.

“Sir Kyle is teaching me,” said the big man defensively. “He says any squire worth his salt has to learn.”

“Not to worry.” An evil idea came to him then. Dear Will, please don’t tell Tiny how much I adore his huge muscles. If he were to ever find out I would simply die. He shook his head, remembering the blow that had knocked him down. It wouldn’t be safe to tease his friend. He read the note aloud for Tiny’s benefit, without adding anything.

“That’s not much help then,” observed Tiny. Then he looked off into the distance. “What’s that?”

It appeared to be soldiers, a lot of soldiers. They were marching in from the direction of the college gates.

Chapter 37

It turned out to be three full companies of soldiers, or somewhere close to three hundred and sixty men. They marched across the campus in formation, then stopped when they reached the central square between the main buildings.

Will and Tiny waited off to the side of the main lane and watched as the soldiers marched by. “Recognize any of them?” asked Will.

Tiny shook his head. “Company B is still quartered in Barrowden.”

The soldiers formed up in the main square, then one of the officers read aloud a royal proclamation. The gist of it was simple—the army would be doing a building-by-building search of the entire campus. They also made it clear that it wasn’t just a policy focused on the school, but apparently similar proceedings were occurring all over Cerria, and had been since early that morning.

Will looked at Tiny. “They must be trying to flush the vampires out of their daytime hiding places.”

“It’s not a bad idea,” remarked the big man. “We hold the advantage while the sun is up. Once it sets, the situation reverses.”

“William?” asked a tentative female voice.

They turned around to see a student had approached. Will didn’t know her well, but he recognized her, primarily because she was the girl that Rob had been keen to date, Veronica Wellings. Will lifted a hand in greeting. “Veronica.”

“Have you talked to Rob lately?” she asked.

That hit him like a club to the face. What do I say? Before he could respond, she went on, “He sent me a letter and he sounded weird, as though something happened to him. He said he’s not coming back to school.”

Will glanced at the soldiers, who were splitting into squads and fanning out to enter the various buildings, then back at Veronica. “Have you heard any rumors about what’s been happening the last few days?”

She frowned. “I heard about the fires, and people have been talking about disappearances and monsters. Most of it is just hysteria, isn’t it?”

“Rob went missing two nights ago,” Will said honestly. “I don’t know how much you’ll believe, but things are much worse than you imagine.”

“But I got his letter this morning. He left it at the girls’ dorm for me. It was dated yesterday. There’s one for you too; that’s why I wondered if you knew something.” She held up a small sealed envelope.

His