Clash (The Arinthian Line Book 4) by Sever Bronny Page A

to join Augum in study.
    Jengo sat his tall frame on the log beside Augum, giving him a friendly elbow nudge. “How’s it going? Saw Haylee. She’s in a state. Wouldn’t say what’s bothering her though. Why’s she not training anyway? Oh, and turns out we all get to live for now. Those Legionnaires are either crazy fools or really are on our side. Even sat for lunch with Mr. Haroun! Everyone is saying they’re the real thing, all nice and stuff, though I still wouldn’t trust them—” Jengo suddenly realized Augum was hardly paying any attention to him. He glanced to where Augum was staring—at Leera, who sat a distance away with Bridget, the pair being tutored by Harvus.
    “What’s going on?”
    Augum pointed at his mouth and made a vague gesture.
    Jengo’s voice dropped to a scandalized whisper. “Did Harvus mute you? Really? Why in Sithesia would he do that? How are you supposed to study?”
    Augum surrendered a bitter shrug.
    Jengo glanced over at Harvus. “I hate that man,” he said, before raising his voice. “Mr. Harvus! Sir, I can’t study the book with Augum because he can’t talk!”
    Mr. Harvus sighed, gestured to the girls to wait, and paced over. Even the way his potbelly jiggled irritated Augum.
    Harvus stopped before them. “Are you going to concentrate on Jengo for once and not just yourself, Augum, as you are want to selfishly do? The poor boy is still stuck on the 1st degree. I suppose it is not entirely your fault, for I fear him rather … slow.”
    Augum only glared.
    “I see. I take umbrage at the fact that you do not realize I am doing all of this for your own good.” He sighed. “You are a petulant brat. And I do not appreciate the black look, Augum Stone. Repair it immediately.”
    But Augum made his glare that much fiercer.
    “As you wish. Then you will simply have to learn the hard way that I am not to be trifled with,” and he turned his back, returning to the girls.
    Jengo gaped. “I don’t believe it, what a—I’m only stuck because he’s an awful teacher. I mean, the worst. And what in the Unnameables happened before I got here, anyway?”
    Augum took a deep breath and gestured for a quill.
    Jengo felt his robe. “Hold on, isn’t there one in your cabin?”
    Augum nodded, making the shape of a table with his hands.
    “All right, be right back—and don’t you do anything, otherwise you’ll just get into more trouble.” When Harvus turned his back to make a particular point to Bridget and Leera, Jengo tiptoed to the cabin, quickly coming back with a quill and ink. “Here, use the back of the book or something.”
    Augum hesitated but opened the back cover to a white page and quickly started writing.
    Jengo read what he wrote, finally blurting, “He what ? He can’t … he can’t make you stop seeing each other. He just … he just can’t do that!”
    Augum placed a finger over his lips just as Harvus glanced at them. Augum quickly pretended to be studying, nodding his head sagely at Jengo. Soon as Harvus turned back to the girls, he continued scribbling.
    Jengo’s face fell. “Ah, so he also found out what you were saying behind his back. That explains a lot. He’s really sensitive about that dead animal on his head.”
    Augum cracked a smile and nodded before continuing to write.
    “Well we can try, but it’s not going to be easy,” Jengo said after reading Augum’s writing. He glanced back. “Turn the page, quick—”
    In his haste, Augum accidentally slammed the book closed. As he rifled through, searching for the right chapter, Harvus’ shadow appeared.
    “What are you two doing?” Harvus asked in an eerily calm tone.
    Augum gestured between himself and Jengo, then at the book.
    Jengo flashed a fraudulent smile. “We’re studying, Mr. Harvus.”
    “Are you now? And why do you need a quill?”
    Jengo picked up the quill from the ground. “Oh, this? Uh, we were going to write out the spell words.”
    Harvus’ voice turned sweet.