Book completed

[eve_prime]

Scholar, by L.E. Modesitt, Jr. Imager Portfolio #4. Reread. This is the chronologically first (so far) in the Imager series, in which a small fraction of people have the talent of being able to make and place things strategically, from nearby materials. Our main character Quaeryt is a scholar and secretly an imager; he accepts an assignment to go learn why it's been so difficult for his boss's military to pacify the rather Nordic province of Tilbor. Even though Quaeryt is not a soldier and in fact is mildly disabled physically, the book qualifies as military fantasy, since he spends an awful lot of time embedded in a military detachment. The one scene I specifically remembered from the book didn't actually happen; maybe it was a different book altogether? Here are two things from the book that are mildly spoilerish - Quaeryt is one of Modesitt's many, many characters who solves his (or in this case, his boss's) problem through magical assassination. Also, it has one of the oddest courtships ever - Quaeryt's boss the prince has a sister who inexplicably takes it into her head to write and mail her thoughts on the role of women in society and politics to Quaeryt for his feedback - he's only met her in person briefly, once - and the thoughtfulness with which he replies wins her heart, although she's way out of his league. However, at the end, her brother decides that Quaeryt is too potentially dangerous, so to make sure of his allegiance he decides the best course of action is to marry him to his sister. Quaeryt is an interesting and thoughtful character, and I enjoy spending time with him.