Battle Mage Visions (A Tale of Alus Book 12) by Donald Wigboldy Read Free Book Online

have heard and seen. I didn't think we were even going to give them a working portal for them to use, yet somehow we have received knowledge that they are using the magic already.
    "Only wizards with that knowledge could pass it on to them, and Red Hall wizards are the ones manning those cities for the most part."
    "Are you insinuating that we might be traitors?" the wizard's voice rose and Sebastian could read the anger of those with him quite easily. "A battle mage is daring to question full wizards' loyalty? How dare you, boy?"
    Sebastian held up his hand forcing the man to stop, which made him even angrier; but the mage had made his point and replied, "I didn't call any of you traitors. I merely point out that the lines of who one we can trust can be pretty blurred. While I don't know you and can only trust you based on the fact that you serve Southwall with such distinction that you are teachers in Red Hall, I do know Ashleen. She has been a friend and confidante for a long time. She has served and helped Southwall, even though she is a Kardorian.
    "I merely wish to point that out and request that you show her respect as well."
    His words were neutral, but not completely calming as he had finished by rebuking the wizard, though politely.
    It was enough to make the wizard swallow his anger and looked to the smaller wilder saying, "I apologize. If the falcon trusts you, then I must trust his judgment."
    He could feel Maura's tension ease, but only slightly.
    The leader of the Red Hall wizards tried to be a little more tactful as he asked, "Perhaps we could move our discussions to a quieter place for a time. Studying the swords will require us to return to the forge at some point, but for now I would like to consider the basics where we can talk without shouting."
    While they weren't exactly shouting, Sebastian understood and directed the wizards towards the far right of the building. The smithy held several forges in the main room, but there were other rooms where privacy could be found. It was part of the military after all and offices for wizards, mages and commanders were attached for those involved with arming the men and women under their command.
    Entering the next room, they found a table with some chairs around it. A conference room when needed, the room was devoid of any others. How long it would remain quiet and unoccupied, Sebastian was unsure. The mage usually spent his time with the smiths in the forge and less often had he used this room, so he hadn't paid much attention to the normal comings and goings beyond the smithy.
    Elzen and Rilena moved into the room followed by Serrena and took three of the chairs on the far side of the table. Enjoying the wooden arms, Elzen got comfortable and draped a leg over one and kicked his boot idly. Both battle mages appeared bored and calm, but Sebastian knew that they had only followed as back up should he need it.
    Serrena was less calm. Being a fire wizard seemed to mean having an equally tumultuous temper, but the woman was doing well for her. Sebastian wondered if some of his ability to control himself had rubbed off on the fire wizard. She had become somewhat of an apprentice in other ways, so it wasn't a thought completely unfounded.
    Only Ashleen remained standing from those following the owl mage aside from Sebastian who assumed that he would need to be able to move around to continue some of what the wizard planned to talk about now. The wizards from Red Hall held more obvious tension, but Wizard Gefflen continued to lead the others.
    Looking at the other wizards in the light brought into the room from two large windows on the west side of the room, Sebastian evaluated them as he awaited introductions. Three more wizards were male and the final member was a red haired woman, petite with a faced that looked pinched; though that might have been because she looked as disapproving of the other members of Sebastian's team as her compatriots. She was a research wizard