Knights Magi (Book 4) Read Online Free PDF

too busy attending receptions and running errands and standing around in his tabard looking Mage Knight-ly to waste his time with mere reading.
    And there had been the girls . . . plenty of city girls were curious about the stories a dashing young knight mage from the deepest Wilderlands could tell them in private.  Soft, sweet-smelling girls who had sweet voices and gentle hands and a terrible curiosity about his many adventures.  He’d done his best to entertain them when he was at the capital.   Rondal, on the other hand, had studiously avoided girls in the capital and had kept to the libraries when not required to be elsewhere. 
    Tyndal had thought he was an idiot, at the time.  He was reconsidering that estimation now, despite his reluctance to do so.  But a choice between girls and books . . . well, he never had considered the latter more important than the former.  Until now.
    “And how many books have you read?” prompted Master Secul.
    “Fourteen,” he said, proudly.  And he had.  From the first primers Master Minalan had used to teach him how to read to the basic texts on magical theory and practice he’d copied in his own crude hand, to more specific books on various areas of magic.  He’d even read a book of poetry, once, but he hadn’t enjoyed it.  “That was all we had, back up in the Mindens,” he said, defensively as he watched the master’s face.  “And since then my time to read has been . . . limited.” 
    He almost felt justified reminding the old man just why it had been limited – he had been fighting goblins and protecting the people and other useful stuff instead of becoming a bookworm.
    “So you can see my point,” Secul said, ignoring the lad’s sarcasm.  “You’ve read fourteen books, and Sir Rondal has read a hundred and eighty or so.  It’s not that he’s more intelligent, ” Secul added in a quieter, more conspiratorial voice, “it’s that he’s just read more .  He’s educated himself.  That’s all the journeyman exams are for – to see if you have the knowledge you need to practice magic at the professional level.”
    “But that takes years!” Tyndal exploded, angrily.  “We haven’t got years!”
    “It does take time,” agreed the teacher, as he opened the door to the dining hall, “but it also takes opportunity .  And here you have a small measure of both,” he reminded him, as the noise of the assembled students forced him to raise his voice.  “Inarion Academy has an excellent library, more than one, free to all students – save some restricted texts.  All may make use of it.  And you are to be here at least another five weeks, if not more.  Your master has asked that you stay and study until you can pass at least the first two forms.”
    Tyndal’s heart fell, but he knew there was no arguing the point.  When Master Minalan made up his mind on something, there was just no budging the most powerful mage in the world.
    “But I’ll be here forever! ” Tyndal whined, dejectedly, as he considered the prospect.  “I’ll grow old and gray while I struggle through all of . . . that! ”
    “Just play to your strength, lad,” the old sage advised him, kindly.  “Every mage has rajira ,” he said, referring to the magical Talent that allowed them to work their will upon the universe through their spells.  “And every mage has a varied measure . . . but every mage has strong points he can often use to compensate for the weak ones.”
    “I’m a warmage,” Tyndal said, as he stared out across the sea of tables where his fellow students were dining.  “Unless I can hack and slash my way through the library . . .”
    “Please don’t,” the wizard said, sharply.  “It took five centuries to assemble, and I don’t think I could restrain the faculty from slaying you on the spot if you did so.  What would you say your greatest strength is?”
    “Swordplay,” Tyndal said, knowing it was not the answer Master Secul was