The Reluctant Mage: Book One in the Zandar Series Read Online Free PDF Page A

administrators of the state religion in Kastav and powerful magic users. Sako’s father had told him that King Kastav convinced the Lord Bishop to lend many of his Initiates to the King’s Army. This had become a key factor that created a stalemate between the two countries. The border at the Ulma Mountains had basically not changed in over five years.
     
    “There were also a lot more of them. As far as we could tell at the Universite, there was a wizard born for every one thousand people. We know that we only trained one mage for every ten thousand people. If we had ten times more mages, the Emperor would be spending his summers vacationing in Kastav City. Wait, make that Rau City,” he said with a chuckle.
     
    “But why do you live here now, and not at the Universite, Uncle? If you are doing research for the mages, don’t you have to report back to them?”
     
    His uncle rubbed his chin and looked at Marko squarely. “I not sure if I can answer that m’boy.”
     
    “You better tell him Kris.” his mother said. “You have gone this far. You don’t want my son thinking that you ran away.”
     
    “I guess you’re right, Danira.”
     
    “Marko, I said that what I am doing is an Imperial secret. I think I need to elaborate. As soon as General Rau ascended to the throne, he created a council to oversee the administration of the Empire. He put on it a representative from the military, mages, merchant’s guild and bankers. Later he added a regional governor, but that person changes every year. The other members stay on the council so long as they are the head of their respective organizations.”
     
    “My last position at Comte Universite was to teach Zerik history. Since I am not a mage, I was not permitted to instruct on the practical side of the craft. One of the council members attended a lecture of mine on the origins and evolution of our written language. It is a particularly important subject, as many spells our mages use have been adapted from earlier dialects.”
     
    “The next day I was summoned to the palace by no less then three mage officers. It was one of the most stressful moments of my life. Those guards never showed a hint of why they whisked me away from the school. When we arrived at the palace, I was immediately escorted to the Imperial Council chambers.”
     
    “It was the Headmaster of my school Philippe Beaumont that was in attendance.”
     
    “Welcome Professor Norac, there is nothing to be afraid of.” he said. “In fact we are happy to tell you that you may be of special service to your Emperor.”
     
    “Beaumont went on to explain how a goat herder no less found several stone tablets in a ruin not far from Kutjevo. The Headmaster understood enough of the writing to know that it was likely the oldest recorded history ever found. He then made me swear an oath of secrecy, while under a binding spell. Death is usually the only result once can expect from breaking an oath under a spell that strong.”
     
    “But uncle, you just told me the secret. How are you still alive?”
     
    “That brings us to where we are today Marko. I was able to decipher enough of the tablets’ inscriptions to understand that I was reading a map. Well, not a map exactly, but a description of a place that was named Sanctuary. I was given a grant by the council to search out Sanctuary and, well, you are standing in it.  I have been digging out and researching this old tomb for two years.  I report back to the council every three months with my progress.”
     
    “Oh, and one of the things I discovered is that this place dispels magic. So oath spells don’t work here. Well, anyway, it looks like I have some extra hands now to help me with my research. After dinner, get yourself some rest, and I will show you around tomorrow morning.”
     
    Early next morning, Marko’s uncle showed the both of them around the tomb. There were many passages off the main hall that his uncle had already cleared out.