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

Colleen were out with the twins on a picnic, which left only Simon, Theresa, Jansen, and Ellyssa. Jansen was out on the drill grounds, Ellyssa was rarely seen and was certainly off practicing somewhere, and Simon and Theresa were practically invisible unless something was needed. Like now.
     
Allister set his book on the table next to him and stood up. "Show them in if you would, Simon."
     
The little accountant and de facto school steward disappeared back through the doors and then reappeared a moment later with two men and woman in tow. Allister's stomach clenched. He recognized the trio as being from The Academy. He had been dreading their arrival since Ellyssa’s violent and public episode. The expectation did little to make him feel any better about their appearance.
     
"Magus Allister, I am Robert Harvey, and this is Oliver Parkes and Janice Lewis of The Academy," Magus Harvey said before Simon could make any introductions.
     
Allister leaned down and whispered something in Simon's ear and the little man darted upstairs. He then gave each of the Academy Wizards a nod. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"
     
Magus Harvey smiled, aware the old archmage knew exactly why he was here. "We are investigating an attack within the city by a young girl by the name of Ellyssa Jensen."
     
"It was hardly an attack. A man accosted her and she panicked in defense of herself."
     
"Ah, so you are aware of what happened. Good, I was concerned this school and its students were completely without oversight. So do you simply choose to ignore the criminal behavior of all your students, or just this one?"
     
Allister was taken aback by the man's unexpected hostility. "Criminal behavior? What are you going on about? This incident has been investigated and all damage recompensed."
     
"By whom, the Duchess and your cadre? Hardly an objective body to conduct a proper investigation. It is why such matters fall fully under the jurisprudence of The Academy. We shall decide guilt and punishment. Where is the girl?"
     
"She is not here. I imagine she is off studying somewhere," Allister answered tersely. “If that is all, I bid you good day.”
     
Magus Harvey knew the old archmage was giving him the brush-off. "Please send someone to fetch her. We will be taking her back to The Academy for questioning."
     
"Like hell you will," Allister bristled. "I assume you have a writ of apprehension?"
     
The magus tried to push his bluff. "I can get one if you insist upon being uncooperative."
     
"I doubt that. If the council felt it necessary for you to arrest the child, they would have sent one with you. Now what is it you are really doing here, Harvey?"
     
“I, along with many at The Academy, see your school as a threat. You not only operate outside the purview of The Academy, you teach magic to commoners. We have no idea what your agenda is or what it is you are teaching this riffraff!”
     
“Simon,” Allister called upstairs.
     
Simon appeared instantly, descended the stairs, and handed the Academy wizard a book.
     
“You will find our training curriculum in there, and you will see the tenets nearly mirror those of The Academy. As to whom we are teaching, there has never been a mandate restricting Academy attendance. The current state of elitism is an artificial construct created by pretentious snobs like you. Now, if there is nothing else, you may show yourselves out."
     
Magus Harvey sneered at the book in his hand. “It really does not matter what is in this book. The fact remains this school is no more legitimate than the Black Tower, and I will see it shut down. Continue to train and harbor criminals like the girl, and we shall shut you down, by force if necessary.”
     
Magus Allister’s face clouded in fury. “This school hosts two of the most premier archmages in the kingdom, five full wizards, and nearly five hundred journeymen and apprentice level mages. Threaten this school and you will find your threat very