Read Online The Sorcerer's Return (The Sorcerer's Path) by Brock Deskins - Free Book Online Page B

but they are dangerous idiots.”
    “She is right,” Azerick agreed. “You are big and you are strong, but you are far from your full potential. Even full grown, that many wizards would be dangerous , and if you fly within range of their claws they could snatch you up and pull you into their maw.”
    “I’ll be careful ,” Sandy promised before beating her wings and launching herself into the air.
    “Do you want any of this? ” Ellyssa asked, indicating the meat Raijaun was currently tearing into strips and devouring.
    Azerick’s stomach grumbled, apparently not completely free of the need, or at least the desire, for food on this world. “Save me a bit. I will eat it in the morning. For now, I just need rest. The Inquisitors were not the only ones I was battling.”
    “The demon?”
    Azerick nodded wearily. “Yes. Active combat taps into some strong emotions. Emotions are the playground of demons like Klaraxis, and it gives him strength. That is another reason I do not wish a second fight with the Inquisitors.”
    Ellyssa was beginning to feel the full effects of her own exhaustion as well, but hunger won the immediate war for attention. She scooted over to the charred antelope and peeled away the pieces lying between the burnt and raw layers.
    Even with the knowledge of Sandy flying overhead keeping watch and the wards she placed around camp, sleep did not come easy despite her fatigue. Every time the weight of her eyelids dragged them closed, fear snapped them wide open and made her scan the shadows for enemies.
    Azerick sensed her restlessness . “Go ahead and sleep. Nothing will come near us without me or Sandy knowing it.”
    Her nerves at least partially placated, Ellyssa was able to allow sleep to pull her into its embrace. She slept soundly despite the battles her dream world brought. She did not fight Inquisitors, but horrific creatures that moved with the speed and ferocity of a Habberback hunting cat. But Azerick was there by her side as well as Sandy, Roger, and the other students from the school. Wave after wave of creatures leapt at them, snarling their hatred and slashing with short blades. The bodies piled up until they created a wall too high for her to see over, but still they came on. She did not wake until the whumping sound of Sandy’s beating wings pulled her from her nightmare.
    Azerick was already up and eating, morosely picking over a haunch of meat. Sandy kicked up a cloud of dust as she set down. Raijaun hopped up and down, clapping his hands at Sandy’s arrival. He ran over as soon as she landed and scratched at her scales.
    “What are our friends up to?” Azerick asked once the dust settled.
    “They buried six of their members last night. Half again as many wounded needed assistance walking. They did manage to find their horses and continued heading toward Argoth for as long as I watched them.”
    “Good. It sounds like they chose a wiser course, although they may have second thoughts about it when they report their failure.”
    “I spent the whole night pelting them with sleet to encourage them to keep moving. Their wards kept them dry, but it didn’t do anything for the road,” Sandy smirked.
    “Thank you, Sandy. You did very well . You can probably go home now if you like,” Azerick said.
    “I can probably fly everyone back. It would be a lot faster,” Sandy offered.
    Azerick shook his head. “I am a lot heavier than I look, and I have some things I need to prepare before I return home. Sandy, I am not ready for anyone to know I have come back yet, especially since The Academy is entrenched in my school. Please keep this a secret. I can only hope we beat home any word coming out of Argoth of my return.”
    “I won’t say anything,” Sandy promised. “I will probably fly around for a couple days and make sure those wizards don’t turn back.”
    “I would appreciate it.”
    Sandy took wing, kicking up another could of dust and grit, and quickly disappeared over