Scholar of Magic (Art of the Adept #3) - Michael G. Manning Page 0,21

he’s already passed on.”

A spark of anger kindled in his chest. “He’s dead, sir. He died defending my mother and cousin when the Prophet’s men came to our home.”

The older man stared at him, waiting.

“My promise wasn’t conditional on his being alive or dead,” Will explained.

The old scholar looked out the window again, seemingly satisfied. “Interesting,” he remarked. “So, this promise was probably as much for your protection as for his own. Your grandfather must have been a notorious criminal.”

“He was a good man,” said Will stubbornly.

“Being labeled a criminal says nothing about his character. While I would generally assume that most criminals possess lower moral standards, that isn’t always the case.” The old man watched the trees pass by for a minute or two. “Were you always a natural transducer, or do you think your grandfather’s training somehow enabled you to become one?”

Will was pretty sure it was the training, but he wasn’t ready to share his grandfather’s secrets. “I’m not sure,” he answered noncommittally.

“You told Professor Dulaney that you spent several years just training with the candle and source-link before you were ever allowed to learn how to construct a spell. Is that correct?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Was there anything specific you had to do during that period of time? Or perhaps things that were done to you?”

Will gave the man a flat stare. “I’d rather not say.”

The older man laughed. “You don’t trust me, do you?”

“There are some things I don’t trust anyone with, sir. It isn’t personal.”

“Yet you’ve come to Wurthaven to learn what we have to teach. Doesn’t it seem a little one sided? We give you everything we know while you keep your secrets to yourself.”

Will thought about it for a moment before answering. “A school’s job is to teach. The students pay to learn what you have to offer. There’s no implicit agreement that students will provide anything to Wurthaven other than their money.”

Master Courtney nodded vaguely. “That may be generally true, but Wurthaven is more than a simple school. My position is Head of Research, so surely you can understand that it’s my job to try and increase our knowledge and understanding. At the moment you appear to be a fascinating source of information.”

“I can understand your perspective, but I have no obligation to satisfy your curiosity.”

Alfred raised one brow. “Even though the king sponsored your entry into Wurthaven?”

Will kept his expression flat. “More so because of it.”

“You mean you owe nothing to the college because of your father-in-law, or…” The older man paused for a few seconds, then his eyes lit up with understanding. “You’re hiding your secrets from the king himself.”

Will said nothing, keeping his eyes focused on the scenery outside the window.

They arrived at the worksite a short while later. They were met by Professor Jason Dugas, the head of Wurthaven’s Engineering Department. The senior engineer had come to the site to oversee repairs in Duncan’s place. Professor Jason Dugas, the head of Wurthaven’s Engineering Department, met them there. The senior engineer had come to the site to oversee repairs in Duncan’s place. Professor Dugas greeted Master Courtney with a smile and a deferential dip of his head. “I’m honored that you’ve come to see things personally, Master Courtney.”

Will studied the engineer for a moment. Like Duncan, the man was in relatively good shape. He was tall and lean with dark hair and thick stubble covering his cheeks. Dugas and Courtney stepped away and Will followed behind them, listening as they spoke together.

“I haven’t sent my report in yet, but as I’m sure you guessed, the dam failure yesterday was definitely the result of sabotage. The buttress on the left side wasn’t actually able to hold any load at all. Someone dug down beneath it and exposed the metal before changing its properties. As soon it came under full load, it failed.”

Master Courtney nodded absently, seemingly uninterested in the shocking news as his eyes roamed over the ground around them. He stopped suddenly, pointing. “Is that where you were standing, Mister Cartwright?”

Will nodded. “Yes,