Volinette's Song
Page 23
There was a long silence, which was finally broken by the rumbling laughter of the Quintessentialist standing off to Maera’s left. His flowing brown hair and beard were shot with gray, but his hazel eyes were lively and full. He folded his arms across his chest and looked down at the Head Master with a smile.
“What’s so funny, Master Indra?”
“Say what you want about their methods, Maera, but they got the job done when the rest of you couldn’t. I remember a time not so long ago when you were standing in this very office between Tanglar and myself, explaining to Head Master Jotun why we shouldn’t be censured and thrown out on our collective ears.”
The Head Master sighed, running her hands through her silver hair. She glanced at the trio of students, her amber eyes flashing. She looked to Olin, who shrugged. Fulgent Casto spread his palms as if he were helpless against the logic that had been presented. Finally, she looked at Adamon.
“What is your recommendation, Grand Inquisitor?”
Volinette had never been subjected to such intense scrutiny in her life. The look that Adamon turned on her felt as if it had burrowed into the essence of her soul. Janessa and Baris each had a turn under that icy regard and fidgeted in much the same way Volinette had. They waited, and waited, and waited.
“I think, Head Master, that in this case, the ends were justification for the means. Since no irreparable harm was done during their foolhardy quest, and the Prism has been returned to its rightful place, I would say that their misadventures be considered time served.”
“Why, Adamon,” Faxon Indra said in a sly drawl. “I didn’t know you had a heart.”
“Everyone deserves a second chance, Faxon.”
Volinette jerked upright as if she’d been shocked. She stared at the Grand Inquisitor, and he stared back.
“Just remember,” Adamon said as he swept toward Maera’s antechamber. “There are very few things that escape the notice of the Inquisitors. Come along, Olin.”
Adamon disappeared and Olin followed with a sigh. He paused as he passed the trio. “Good job, you three. I look forward to seeing what you can do when you’re actually working at it.” Then he followed Adamon from the room.
Fulgent Casto looked at the trio, then to the Head Master. “I trust I’ll have my students back when repairs have been completed?”
“All but one of them, I’m afraid,” Maera replied.
Volinette’s blood went cold. Were they still planning to punish Janessa for the theft of the Prism? Why hadn’t Adamon stayed?
Faxon stepped forward, casting an appraising eye on Baris, who involuntarily took a step back, away from the towering Quintessentialist.
“Olin tells me that he thinks you’d make a good Inquisitor,” Faxon said. “What do you think, young Baris? Want to learn the mysteries of the realms and become a defender of what’s good and pure?”
Maera snorted and Faxon shot her a sideways glance. “Alright, she’s probably right. Forget good and pure. Want to learn to hunt down rogue mages and put them in their place?”
“Really?” Baris bounced from one foot to the other. “Who’s going to train me?”
Faxon feigned shock. “I am, you foolish boy.”
“You?”
“Of course.” Faxon grinned. “Who do you think taught Adamon everything he knows?”
Faxon declared that he wanted to return to King’s Reach, but there was time enough for a quick goodbye. Baris promised Volinette and Janessa that he’d be back as soon and as often as his training would allow. As they made their way through the curtain, Baris was peppering Faxon with questions as fast as he could think of them. Their conversation was lost beyond the partition.
“So I get these two back?” Fulgent asked, his tone dubious.
“It would appear that way,” Maera said, ignoring the sigh of long suffering that Fulgent heaved in reply.
“Very well,” the old Master said. “Return to class on Monday morning. We have much to discuss.” He offered his arm to Janessa. “Come along, dear girl. I believe the Head Master has some words for Volinette’s ears alone.”
Janessa glanced at her, as if for permission, and Volinette nodded with a smile. Whatever was to come next, she could handle it. The past few days had been a study in treachery, death, and destruction. She had little to fear from Maera or the other Quintessentialists who lived and worked around the Academy. As Fulgent and Janessa left the Head Master’s chambers, Maera walked out on the balcony, beckoning for Volinette to follow.
They looked out over the grounds. From above, the workers looked like industrious ants, scurrying back and forth to complete their varied assignments. It wouldn’t take long for them to return the Academy of Arcane Arts and Sciences to the condition it deserved, and that made Volinette smile.
“How do you feel?” the Head Master asked, her eyes never leaving the bustle below.
“I’m good,” Volinette said. “For the first time, it feels like I belong somewhere.”
Maera nodded. “There’s no other place you could belong, but here, Volinette. You are a uniquely skilled and talented individual. Master Jotun believes you will go far in the Academy.”
“What do you think?” Volinette asked earnestly. The Head Master’s opinion meant more to her than probably anyone else’s that she’d ever met.
“I think you’ll excel at anything you put your mind to. If your interest is in academics, you’ll go far within these walls.”
Volinette thought that over. She’d come a long way in just a few short weeks. “I’d like that. I think I’d like to spend some time with Master Jotun in the library. I’m sure he has amazing stories to tell.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” Maera said with a tolerant smile.
Volinette took the lift down from the Head Master’s office. She walked across the entrance hall and out through the wide doors that had seemed so imposing when she’d arrived. Her feet carried her into the sandstone courtyard beyond, where her journey had begun.
Turning in a slow circle, she took in the Academy grounds, the blue sky, and the city beyond. A happy sigh escaped her lips.
Her life had just begun.
# # #
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you to every single reader and fan who has made the Solendrea stories a success. Your interest and support means more to me than you will ever know. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Special thanks to my alpha readers for helping to keep me on the right path. Thank you Barbara, Jr., and Maisha.
Thanks to those who volunteered their time to beta read: Laura, Amy, Eric, Faith, and Ann.
Thanks to my editor, Amber Bungo, for all her hard work.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Martin F. Hengst is a science fiction and fantasy author whose fantasy novels, the Magic of Solendrea series, have sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide.
He resides in South Central Pennsylvania with his lovely wife and two amazing children. An avid reader since childhood, he attributes his love for fantasy and science fiction to his father. When not working on his next release, Martin enjoys music, reading, and playing video games.
Martin welcomes interaction with readers. You can find him on many social media sites such as Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. Additionally, he maintains a website where he posts updates about new and upcoming projects, which can be found at http://martinfhengst.com.
Table of Contents
&n
bsp; Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six