The Sorcerer's Return (The Sorcerer's Path) Read Free Page A

dismissively. “He had an army with him. Does he have an army here?”
    “I imagine Fennrick has tasked a detail to look for such and would have reported anything unusual.”
    “Then I see no reason to worry myself. It is not as though he can challenge the entire Hall of Inquisition. Come, let us make our way to the council chamber and greet our young, dead lord.”
    Elias and the Duchess found the senior council already in attendance as well as several Inquisitors seated in the gallery. She took her seat in the center chair normally reserved for the Senior Inquisitor, while Elias sat dutifully to her right amongst the council. Fennrick stood below the elevated council upon the chamber floor, agitation etched clearly upon his face. His eyes continually shifted from the Duchess to the main doors behind which Lord Giles impatiently waited.
    “Your Grace, Lord Giles did express his urgency in meeting with the council , and I believe the time is near at hand,” Fennrick murmured.
    Paulina glared down at the Inquisitor. “Lord Giles has always been an arrogant little upstart, and it will do him well to learn patience, particularly when dealing with his betters,” she sniffed and turned her head to Elias. “I assume those doors are sufficiently warded to prevent even him from foolishly barging in?”
    Elias inclined his head. “They are indeed, Your Grace. It would take several archmages to unravel or bash down those wards.”
    “Good. Let the pompous little man wait.”
    The Duchess still wore her condescending smirk when the doors exploded inward with a deafening boom. Only the secondary wards and quick actions of the experienced Inquisitors prevented the wood, bronze, and stone fragments from becoming lethal projectiles. Hastily erected wards flared among the gathering even as several of those closest were blasted from their seats and sent sprawling. From the cloud of dust and destruction, Azerick strode into the chamber without a hint of fear or hesitation.
    Duchess Paulina quickly regained her composure and raised a hand to prevent the astonished wizards from striking out. “Lord Giles, I had heard you died. Was I misinformed?”
    “You were not, Your Grace. But like a bad meal, the abyss found me d istasteful and spat me back out.”
    “I see death has done nothing to improve your manners.”
    “On the contrary, I have far less patience and sufferance for fools than I once had.”
    “Are you calling me a fool?” Paulina demanded.
    Azerick shrugged. “It would be the height of foolishness to try and prevent me from retrieving what is mine.”
    “Lord Giles, your reemergence intrigues me, and for that reason alone I allow you a certain amount of leave. Do not test my tolerance. What is it you want?”
    “It is my understanding this place holds something belonging to me as well as my apprentice. I will have both of them returned.”
    “Your apprentice is a criminal and has refused offers of parole. As to your property, I presume you refer to the Codex Arcana. The Codex is the property of The Academy by law , and it is illegal for an individual to possess it,” Duchess Paulina declared.
    “It is interesting you would bring Academy law into this,” Azerick responded dryly. “It is also Academy and King’s law requiring a significant separation of Academy and governmental jurisdictions. This is purely an Academy situation, so why am I discussing it with you?”
    Paulina shifted in her seat and set her chin. “The office of inquisition and I share a close relationship, given our mutual requirements for protecting the border.”
    “Perhaps too close,” Azerick responded darkly. “Ulric also shared a close relationship with certain members of The Academy; a relationship I severed.”
    Duchess Paulina pushed herself up in her seat and leaned down toward the upstart sorcerer. “You dare threaten me?” she shouted.
    “I merely voice the reality of what will occur for anyone choosing to be my enemy. Do not