Scholar of Magic (Art of the Adept #3) - Michael G. Manning Page 0,20

“How bad is it?”

The doctor grimaced. “It’s impossible to say for sure, but I doubt he’ll last more than a few years. The amount of turyn he used—”

Master Courtney interrupted, “Which makes your condition all the more remarkable. What was the size of the force-wall you created?”

The man’s lack of regard for what had happened to Duncan irritated Will, but he could see that the researcher was caught up by his interest in the topic. “It was roughly ten feet by twenty feet, sir.”

“And how far away was it from you?”

“About thirty feet above where we stood.”

“And you held it for how long?”

Will shrugged. “I’m not sure. I think it was ten minutes or so, but I can’t say for sure.”

“That’s ridiculous!” exclaimed Doctor Morris, unable to contain his disbelief. “He’d be dead—twice over.”

“Three times over,” said Courtney dryly. “I’ll have to examine the site, though it will be impossible to make more than a rough estimate given what we know.”

“You believe him?” asked the doctor.

Master Courtney nodded. “His story matches what Duncan told me almost exactly, and given the fact that the Lanover Dam is still standing I’m inclined to believe the boy.” After a moment he added, “I have other reasons to believe him as well.”

Being discussed in the third person was annoying, not to mention Doctor Morris’ outright skepticism about his claims, but Will tried to keep his feelings hidden. “Can I return to class?” he asked the two men, keeping his tone neutral.

Master Courtney smiled. “Actually, no. I’d like you to accompany me to the dam so I can inspect it. You can show me what happened.”

Will groaned inwardly.

Chapter 5

The carriage ride to the Lanover Dam site was relatively quiet for the first half hour. Will had worried that Master Courtney would question him the entire way, but the graying professor remained silent, staring out the window and watching the world go by with a faint smile.

He stares at the world as though it’s constantly telling him jokes that only he can hear, observed Will. What a strange man. He wondered what his grandfather would have thought of the man. Don’t forget he’s a noble too, he reminded himself. Outside of academic settings the professor was also a lord of the realm, though more so than even the other teachers at Wurthaven, Alfred Courtney seemed to care very little for his social standing.

“What was your teacher’s name?”

The question emerged from absolute silence, startling him. “Pardon?”

Alfred’s piercing eyes settled directly on Will. “I asked what your teacher’s name was.”

His brain leapt into high speed, racing in circles as he struggled to come up with a convincing lie. “Uh. I usually called him Grampa, but his given name was, uh, Johnathan.”

“Isn’t that your maternal uncle’s name? Was he named after his father?”

The question was delivered in an innocent tone, but it was enough for Will to realize he had made a terrible mistake. Master Courtney had apparently researched his family at some point in the past. “Yes, sir,” said Will weakly.

“If you don’t wish to tell me your teacher’s name then don’t. I’m not an officer of the law or an agent of the king. I can’t compel you to give me answers, but please be truthful. I’d rather you simply refuse honestly than force me to guess at the truth.”

His mouth went dry, and for a moment Will wasn’t sure how to respond. Alfred Courtney seemed entirely different than his grandfather, and yet for some reason the man frightened him just as much. He’s not going to chase me around with a staff, he reminded himself, but somehow his body didn’t believe it. “Yes, sir,” he said at last.

“And? Is there something else you’d like to add?”

“His name wasn’t Johnathan. I promised I wouldn’t give people his real name.”

Master Courtney smiled. “Much better. I prefer to build on a foundation of honesty. Is your grandfather actually dead? It seems strange you’d be concerned about such a promise if he’s deceased. The law can’t reach him if