The Sorcerer's Abyss (The Sorcerer's Path) (22 page)

Magus Harvey hid any slight he may have felt behind his smile. “On the contrary, we are here to ask you not to interfere in any way. We do ask for you answer any questions we might have, but request you not involve yourselves directly in either the rogue’s defense or apprehension. Conflicts of interest and all that and, before you ask, I do possess a writ of apprehension and inquisition signed by the council. I have already taken the liberty to provide Duchess Melina with a copy to avoid conflicts with the local authority. I also possess an order instructing all those who fall under the authority of The Academy to be honest and forthright when answering any questions we ask in regards to resolving this situation. Failure to comply with the order is considered harboring a rogue wizard and punishable by Academy law.”

“Oh good, for a while there I was beginning to think I was wrong in regards to my initial assessment of your putrid character,” Allister responded.

“Perhaps, perhaps not. I can only attest to doing my duty. Judgment of my character is for others to decide. Do you know the location of Ms. Jenson?”

Allister answered reluctantly but honestly. “No, and Aggie has been scrying every day for the past month looking for her. Wherever she is, it is either well warded or she discovered how to hide herself. The latter is the most probable since she has the book.”

“Well, if Magus Sharpe is unable to divine her location, it is no wonder we have had no luck. Her divination skills are still regarded as the best in The Academy,” Magus Brown said.

“Thank you, dear. It is nice to know I am still appreciated,” Aggie replied.

“Are you saying you positively identified the Codex Arcana and the girl is in possession of it?” Magus Harvey asked anxiously.

“Yes to both accounts I’m afraid,” Allister rumbled, feeling rather embarrassed having to admit it.

“I still don’t understand why the book is so important,” Rusty said. “I’ve used it and, although there is certainly some great information in it, I don’t see what would make her so desperate to keep it; certainly not so much she would attack you for it.”

“You have not told your people about the Codex?” Magus Brown asked.

“No. I thought the fewer people involved the better, but I suppose the time has come to explain everything.” Allister directed his words at Rusty and the other young wizards at the table. “The Codex is more than just a book—when it wants to be. It is a magical tome, which contains far more than what most people see upon its pages. Some say that it was created by the gods and contains all knowledge of every type of magic that ever existed.”

Rusty looked at Allister quizzically. “You said when it chooses. Are you saying this thing is sentient?”

“Not in a way as to be alive, not how we perceive such things. When a magical artifact is created with that much power, it gains a sense of purpose. Mostly from those who handle it extensively. It does not think per se, but it comprehends the purpose for which it was created. The Codex Arcana is an enormously powerful artifact, and it has been in the hands of some of the mightiest wizards and other creatures in existence. When it senses a possessor has the power and the willingness to use it to its full potential, only then will the book reveal itself for what it is and what it can give.”

Rusty’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped. “All known magic?”

“That is one theory. There are many unknowns as the Codex inexplicably vanishes before anyone has the time to study it fully. Usually in the hands of someone who wants to possess it for themselves. The few decades it was in the possession of The Academy, it revealed very little. The first person it ‘spoke’ to disappeared along with it.”

Rusty blew out a long breath. “And now Ellyssa has it. This cannot be good.”

“Do you know if the book speaks to her?” Magus Harvey asked.

Allister thought a moment. “I strongly believe so. It is one reason why I do not hold her entirely to blame for her actions. She was frightened, and I believe the Codex is having an undue influence on her.”

Aggie snorted. “I think you’re just an old softy and a sucker for a pretty face. If I get my hands on her, I’ll beat her bloody.”

“I do not think the Codex will be much of a mitigating factor at her trial,” Magus Harvey explained. “The Codex offers itself to those already of the disposition to use it. How they choose to use it is entirely of their own making. What little influence the book may have is going to be a poor defense.”

“As far as you know,” Allister countered. “I spent the better part of a month digging through The Academy archives, and our knowledge of it is poor at best. It also actively tried to prevent me from discovering its identity.”

“We shall see. I believe it is time we are leaving. Nearly all of her attacks have been in the evening, and we must be prepared to intercept her. Lady Colleen, fellow mages, it has been a pleasure to dine with you this evening.”

Allister hurried to his feet. “Allow me to show you out.”

“No need to trouble yourself, we know the way,” Magus Harvey said cordially.

“Trust me; it will be the highlight of my evening.”

Allister showed the three Academy wizards to the door, glad to part company with them. Magus Harvey turned as Allister was gently shoving them out the tower.

“I do not want to leave you with the wrong impression of me, Magus. I will see this school brought fully under the auspices of The Academy, and when I bring this rogue to trial, I will have all I need to convince the council to act. It’s nothing personal, mind you. As I said, it is my duty.”

“You’re wrong, Harvey, it is quite personal.”

Allister closed the door more gently than his anger demanded. Robert Harvey’s assertion was more than just idle threats. Between Ellyssa’s antics, the Codex, and Azerick’s previous run-in with The Academy, the school was without a doubt in serious jeopardy, and not even his standing would likely save it.

***

Ellyssa, wearing the magical guise of a young man, helped shuttle the heavy cargo crates from the recently docked ship onto the waiting wagons. She had been working on the docks in this form for nearly two weeks. It was exhausting work, but it was the best way to get a close look at any ship and crew sailing into port. It also helped build her physical strength. Azerick had always said strong muscles were as important as a strong mind and was the foundation of a strong body, so she willingly suffered the strain.

She found the physical exertion of working the docks provided an excellent means of mental and emotional diversion. As long as Ellyssa focused on her work and her muscles constantly protested their exertion, her mind was distracted from much of her inner turmoil. Ever since she began actively hunting Captain Jake and the slavers, her night terrors and hallucinations had diminished substantially. It was all the encouragement she needed to know she was doing right.

Ellyssa began working the docks shortly after one of the slavers told her Sonjay was moving black market cargo aboard his own ship and was likely to make a port call to North Haven soon. Her suspicion peaked the moment the ship made dock. The ship moored right before the port closed for the night, which meant the customs crew and harbormaster would likely be hasty in their inspection.

It was very unlikely there were slaves aboard or that it would be taking any on. Ellyssa had not seen so much as a hint of a slave ship since she had made an example out of the last one that docked. Word quickly got around about how the previous harbormaster also met his grisly demise for associating with slavers. The lack of a friendly harbormaster and the threat of a very unpleasant death at the hands of the Witch of North Haven made it too risky for slavers to bring their ships in.

Ellyssa had caught a few of the scum lurking about the streets and discovered they had dropped anchor in a natural cove two days to the south. She had gotten to the slavers before they could bundle up any captives and carry them out of the city. She thought about acquiring a horse and going after their ship, but there was no way of knowing if it would be there or if she could even find it. Besides, she had a more important target to watch for.

Although still new to the profession, the amount of cargo she and her fellow dock workers unloaded seemed a little light. It was not unheard of for a ship to sail without a fully laden vessel, but it was rare. Her suspicions were borne out when the crew began unloading smaller crates and individual items by hand a couple hours later. Ellyssa watched the goings on for more than hour before the crew finished loading their illegal wares into a wagon.

Ellyssa spotted a large man debark with the bulk of his crew once the wagon left. She was uncertain if it was Sonjay, given the darkness, until he passed by a streetlamp close to where she was hiding. She unconsciously pulled the Source into her but quickly let it go. She needed more than simple revenge. She needed information. She needed Captain Jake.

She let the group of men pass and shadowed them through the streets. It did not take long for the group of sailors to reach their destination; a seedy tavern just a few blocks from docks. The noise from inside hit Ellyssa like a strong wind the moment she opened the door. The smell of alcohol and unwashed bodies nearly completed the job of shoving her back outside as thoroughly as a bouncer.

It took several minutes to find Sonjay and his crew despite his size and unique appearance. The owner of the establishment did not spend much on lighting and smoke filled the room like the morning fog on Blackmoore Swamp. The acrid smoke from pipes and other fuming, dried vegetation made her eyes water and burned her throat. Ellyssa fought back the urge to gag, a sure sign she was an outsider here.

Ellyssa ordered a pitcher of ale and threaded her way through the crowded tavern, deftly dodging milling patrons. She admired the serving women for their ability to avoid the jostling, shoving, and oft times groping men, all without ever spilling a drop. She approached Sonjay’s table and shouted to be heard over the din of the boisterous crowd.

“Captain, mind if I join you?” Ellyssa asked.

The ship’s captain looked about to tell her to go jump in the harbor until Ellyssa raised the pitcher of ale and grinned. “I suppose there’s room for you and your friend, especially if you’ve a mind to have more join you later.”

Ellyssa sat down when several of the men scooted over enough to make room for her on the bench. The sailors quickly drained the last drop of ale from the pitcher as they passed it around, so Ellyssa raised the empty vessel over head, indicating the need for another to be brought over.

“So what brings a boy like you to my table with gifts I doubt you can afford?” The dark-skinned man asked.