Michael G. Manning [Manning - Secrets and Spellcraft

Secrets and Spellcraft

By

Michael G. Manning

Cover by Amalia Chitulescu

Editing by Keri Karandrakis

Map Artwork by Maxime Plasse

2019 by Michael G. Manning

All rights reserved.

For more information about the Mageborn series check out the authors Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/MagebornAuthor

or visit the website:

http://www.magebornbooks.com/

Will had never been to school, any school, so he wasnt sure what he had expected. It certainly wasnt what he saw as the kings carriage drove past the guard station at the colleges main entrance. The gate nestled securely within a formidable wall that rose thirty feet in height. He felt as though he was passing through a boundary into an entirely different world.

As they passed under the high arch and through the wall, he expected his view to be dominated by looming stones structures, but instead his eyes were greeted by green lawns with sculpted bushes and centuries old oaks shadowing a neatly cobblestoned lane. In the distance there were numerous large buildings clustered together here and there, but there was no fortress as the wall had led him to expect. Later on , he was forced to learn a new word to describe the wide layout of ancient buildings and landscaping: campus.

And yet there was more, for the entire thing took up more than a thousand acres of land. On every sidesurrounding the academic buildings, the chancel lors manse, the student dormitories, the masters dwellingswas a rolling landscape of trees and fountains, sculptures, and even a heavily wooded park.

It was an entirely different world, encapsulated by the great city of Cerria. Bloody hell, thought Will, but even his inner voice was subdued with awe. He felt as though he had passed through a congruence point, emerging onto a new plane of existence. From the way Arrogan had once described the wizards of Wurthaven , Will had expected to find them in a grubby and poorly maintained single building.

The carriage proceeded to the center of the campus, where four tall buildings soared toward the heavens. The road passed between two of them and then entered a lane that circled the interior courtyard between the four. It stopped in front of one, where the driver indicated Will should get out.

Thank you for the ride, sir, said Will.

The driver tipped his hat and lifted the straps, urging his team to pull away. Will was left standing alone. He hoped that the building he stood before was the correct one, and plucking up his courage, he walked to it and tugged open one of the broad oaken doors. Once inside , he discovered that the exterior was deceiving. The first two floors were actually one floor with vaulted ceilings and two wide staircases on either side that led up to the higher levels.

There was a variety of people moving about, and as Will took in the scene, he couldnt help but mutter, Fucking hell. He had never been in such a building. A man passing by him glanced oddly in his direction when he heard the words, then hurried on.

He wandered aimlessly for a few minutes, circling the wide, central space and reading the carved stone signs chiseled above the entrances on either side. He stopped when he found the one labeled Registrars Office, which was the one he had been told to look for. Passing through another set of tall doors , he found himself facing a long desk with several men seated on the other side. Two of them were talking with others that he assumed were students. The third seemed to be free , so Will stepped up to greet him. Hello.

The man glanced up and then returned to whatever he was reading.

Will thought that was rather rude, so he persisted. Hello, my name is William Cartwright. Im here to see the registrar.

The fellow looked up, his eyes widening in faint surprise. Im sorry. Are you a friend of Lord Doster?

Hed never heard the name before. I was told I need to see him to get settled for classes here.

The man behind the desk frowned, then pointed at a small, wooden plaque in front of him. It was labeled with the words, Closed. Next window please.

Will nodded toward the next window. Is that Lord Doster, then?

The clerk sighed. Temarah save me, are you an idiot? Lord Doster doesnt personally handle registrations.

Im in the wrong place?

No, hayseed, this is the place. This office handles student registrations. Wait for the next open window and theyll take care of you. Im on break.

Wills cheeks colored. He stared to move on, but he didnt leave with out a parting shot. Asshole.

The clerk stiffened, sitting up straight and a malicious light filled his eyes. Pushing aside the Closed plaque, he smiled. My break is now over. How can I help you?

Will repeated himself, My name is William Cartwright. I was told to register for classes here.

Have you been admitted to Wurthaven?

Uncertain, Will answered, Um, Im not sure? How does that work?

The unnamed clerk smiled. Ill check the list for your name. He got up and went to a massive ledger , where he casually leafed through the pages. The man returned with an artificial smile. I didnt see it. Youll have to go to the vice-chancellors office and see if you can be admitted.

Wheres that?

The man pointed upward. Seventh floor. You cant miss it.

Will left. The stone stairs leading up were wide and well maintained, so it was only a matter of some effort to climb them. Thankfully his time in the army had gotten him into excellent shape, so it was only a mild annoyance having to climb to the top floor.

Once there, he found it was much smaller than the lower floors, and a single hall led him to a well-appointed office. A secretary wait ed behind a private desk when he entered. Do you have an appointment? she asked, glancing at him over slender glasses.

For what?

To see the vice-chancellor.

No, maam. I was told to come here to be admitted.

A look of amusement flitted across the womans face. Im afraid youve been misinformed. We dont do that here. You need to visit the registrars office on the ground floor.

Hed been had. Wills brows lowered like looming thunderclouds. The man down there told me I had to be admitted here. He started to leave.

The secretary took pity on him, however. Wait. He turned back, listening. While its true you can file for admission , it generally takes months. Do you have a sponsor?

Will thought for a moment. Originally Lord Nerrow had offered to sponsor him, but King Lognion had said it was a bad idea, since it might eventually get to the ears of the Arenata family. The k ing had offered an alternative. Yes, maam. King Lognion.

The secretary froze in place for a moment. Are you putting me on, young man?

Will shrugged. No, maam. Should I return and tell him I still need to be admitted? He was beginning to feel a bit of malicious pleasure.

She frowned, still unsure whether he was playing a prank or being serious, but she decided to err on the side of caution. One second. She disappeared through another door and returned a minute later. Then she held the outer door for him . Let me take you downstairs and see if we can sort this out.

When they arrived at the registrars office, the secretary, whose name he had learned was Dorothy, walked completely around the long desk and consulted the massive ledger herself. The unfriendly clerk who had turned Will away initially watched her anxiously. Will gave the man a smile when their eyes met, and he saw an icy seed of fear settle in the mans heart. Youre so fucked, he thought.

Dorothy turned around, her cheeks having noticeably reddened. Which one of you sent this young man up to the vice-chancellors office? she asked in a cold tone.

None of them answered, but Will pointed. I believe it was him.