The Wizard's Council Read Online Free Page B

inquisitors to inspect them on a case by case basis. We excel at finding mages who abuse their gift.” The Cleric’s eyes narrowed as he approached Arcantos.
    “One of the Galimdorian mages escaped. She is highly dangerous, and we expect she will seek the other Conclaves for assistance and asylum. We cannot allow this. If she were to return to Galimdor, a large portion of the people would side with her. Our people deserve better.”
    “We shall send out troops to assist you, but know that we will be dealing with the magic users as we see fit.” The Grand Crusader gave Arcantos a stern look.
    “I accept your terms. Though it is not what we had hoped for, we will defer to you when it comes to the magicians. I’m afraid that I must take my leave of you. The King will want to hear the good news.” Arcantos bowed to the two menacing figures.
    *
                  Sev crouched low and scanned the ground. Sweat dripped off his forehead as he examined the footprint.  The imprint made by the foot was an inch or so deeper than his own and at least five inches longer as well as two inches wider. A troll , he thought as he pulled out a knife with his left hand. The footprint was fresh, less than an hour old. It was a lone footprint in an area of lush grass, whoever was traveling with the troll, if anyone, had some way of concealing their trail. Sev’s half-elven heritage allowed him to pick up on things that neither race could manage. The other two hunters, one elf and one human, stared at him as he placed the knife back at his belt and drew a sword with his right hand. One of them tried to speak, but he raised a finger to his lips and then pointed to the edge of the clearing.
                  A small patch of flowers crumbled as if it had been stepped on. Only seconds later, the flowers sprung back up as they were before. Sev knew instantly what was going on. He pulled out a small knife, designed for throwing, from his belt and sprinted for the edge of the clearing. His hand flashed forward, and the knife flew at the spot where the flowers were wavering back and forth. A loud cry sounded and, blood began to drip out of thin air. Several trolls came crashing out of the trees to see what was going on. Sev soon found himself surrounded by a troll hunting party. His concentration broken, a man in a robe appeared, holding his side where the half-elf’s knife had struck.
    “Kill him!” The robed man shouted as he pointed at Sev.
                  A curved smile formed on Sev’s face as he pulled a short sword from his side and wielded his two weapons as the first of the trolls came at him. The beastly humanoid charged at him with a lowered shoulder as two more drew their weapons, one a massive club and the other a spear. Sev dropped onto his back and shifted his weight back onto his shoulders. As the troll came close, he sprung over the troll’s head and pushed off his back, using his own weight against him. The troll stumbled to the ground, and Sev rolled to his side, making sure the other trolls were out of reach. He spun to face the others, expecting them to all to be charging at once. Much to his surprise, only one troll was coming after him. He jumped backward as the troll swung one of his massive arms at the tiny opponent. Sev stepped back and allowed himself to fall, faking tripping over a rock. The troll sprung forward, ready to pounce on his downed opponent. Sev bent his legs at the knees and then threw his body back over his head in a somersault, his knees slammed into the trolls face. The resounding crunch caused a couple of the trolls to hesitate.
                  The troll with the club was unfazed and attacked first. Raising his club up above his head, he lunged forward. Sev stepped to the side and jabbed his short sword into the troll’s ribcage. The other troll thrust her spear toward Sev, who used his now free hand to redirect it into the ground. She struggled to pull