The Sorcerer's Abyss (The Sorcerer's Path) Read Online Free PDF

his station as the future Duke of North Haven. Magus Allister and Magus Cossington's involvement can be attributed to dealing with the near-disastrous necromantic summoning in the region."
     
"You again make my point, Ambassador! Azerick is a runaway from The Academy, after murdering a fellow student, who then continued to practice magic without Academy training or oversight. He then founded a school teaching the lowest members of society in the same manner; a manner resulting in severe injury and loss of property."
     
"Enough," Headmaster Florent called down as Devlin was about to make another retort. "Ambassador, you seem to know more about the particulars of what happened. What can you tell us of this event?"
     
Devlin shot a final glare at the wizard next to him before he responded. "Ellyssa was taken by slavers nearly a year and a half ago. She was then sold to the Vila of Bakhtaran, a rogue province in Sumara. Vila Mushadan had been recruiting and enslaving spell casters for years. Those he obtained unwillingly were mercilessly tortured as part of their training and breaking. A man in the destroyed establishment grabbed Ms. Jensen, and I believe she suffered an episode of some sort. In a state of panic, she used her magic against what she perceived as a threat. This is not a case of a renegade wizard, but the reaction of a terrified child."
     
"Headmaster, this is all irrelevant! If the girl is emotionally unbalanced, then all the more reason to bring her in before she commits even worse crimes."
     
"I have heard enough," the Headmaster declared. "Council, what say you in this matter?"
     
Magus Dorothy Sorenson, an elder wizard spoke up. "I believe Magus Harvey's points are valid. Regardless of the circumstances, this school is producing mages of respectable power without proper safeguards and oversight. I think we have humored its existence for far too long. It is time to rein it in."
     
"I think we should take something of a diplomatic approach," Magus Morgarum, the cherubic alchemy instructor replied. "Let us not forget Sorcerer Azerick was not only married to the Duchess of North Haven's daughter, but was a friend of the King as well. This school of theirs has had a very important impact upon the city, and we do not wish to alienate some very notable people by acting abruptly."
     
The other four councilors were evenly split between taking immediate action to either shut the school down or bring it under the direct auspices of The Academy, and simply opening a line of dialog. It came to the Headmaster to break the stalemate.
     
"Magus Harvey, I will grant you leave to perform a cursory investigation and to speak with the heads of this Orphan's Academy so we may gauge the curriculum and safeguards they have in place. This is not an inquisition.  This is a fact-finding and discourse mission only. Do I make myself clear?"
     
"Of course, Headmaster. I have no doubt that when I return I will have no problem convincing the entire council that allowing this sort of unauthorized teaching of magic is a serious danger."
     
"I hope you will try to keep an open mind, Magus," Headmaster Florent suggested. "You will take Magus Brown and Parkes with you."
     
"Yes, Headmaster."
     
The seated assembly stood as the council members shuffled out of the room. Once the senior mages cleared the chamber, Devlin turned to Magus Harvey.
     
"Have you ever been tortured, Magus Harvey?" Devlin asked. "Have you ever been made to feel helpless as someone stripped away all your power and dignity?"
     
The wizard set his jaw as he replied. "I hardly see the relevance."
     
"I spent very little time with the girl, but I like to think I do know her master. If you screw this up, you might just find out."
     
 
     
***
     
 
     
"M-master Allister," Simon stammered, "there are some, ah, um, people here to, ah, see you."
     
Allister was sitting in the large living area of the old tower, taking advantage of the solitude to read. Rusty and