Hidden Before Their Eyes

Chapter 19: What a Sly Sorcerer

Seeing Kalvik again sparks anger for a moment before I let it go. I sigh heavily and then ask him, "What do you want Kalvik?"

He shrugs and Dracix asks from behind me, "How do you know him?"

I refrain from looking at him, leaving his question unanswered. So in my stead Kalvik answers, "Carino gave me the information I needed to find you Dracix."

"How the hell did you know about my being here?" Dracix asks.

I turn to him and softly say, "Because information is my trade."

I turn away once more and start walking again. Behind me I hear Dracix warn, "This is not over Carino!" I ignore him and continue towards the doors of the Academy.

The doors open themselves and as soon as I break the premises I am teleported. I find myself in a large room and soon the others teleport in as well, conveniently a little over ten feet away from me. A old woman walks in, supporting herself with a cane. Looking into her eyes I see recognition in the sparkle. Sneaky little sorcerer. She had us go all the way to her cottage for nothing. Though I have a suspicion it may have been to stick this ring onto my finger. I look at my had with the ring and sigh. It feels more like a leash than a ring.

She makes her way over to me, and clearly is unaffected by the pressure of the stone. I fish the stone out of my bag and hold it out to her. She raises a eyebrow and then shakes her head, turning away from me. With a huff I sit down on the cold floor, resting the stone in my lap.

As she begins to talk to the others I get irritated with her. "Oh just knock it off already!" I exclaim at her, drawing the attention of all five of them.

The other four are about to ask questions when she wickedly laughs. "Sorry, sorry, it's just so much fun messing with people Carino," she crackles. Before our eyes she returns to her original form. "Hello again students," she says with a smirk.

"You!" Dracix exclaims. "What was the point of having us go all the way to your home in the middle of the woods?"

"Don't question me Dracix," she deadpans. "I allowed you to see the last place that Miss Esklan was in her true form. The place where I saved her. The placed she was saved from death."

"What do you mean?" Dracix asks, his eyes widening.

I see Codra cast me a pained look before looking away, hiding her gaze from everyone else. I just barely acknowledge it, trying to keep my face neutral for the inevitable explosion that Dracix is going to have.

"Esklan did not run away Prince Dracix. She was kidnapped. When I rescued her and healed the fatal wound she had been left with I gave her a choice. I knew she wanted to see the country in which she lives, but she had no way of doing so. Thus I gave her the opportunity. I'm not just some sorcerer. I am the Sorcerer, everything I do has meaning," she explains her voice betraying her irritation.

After a minute or so of silence she snaps, "You four may go, I have no interest in speaking to you any longer."

They pause for a second before walking away as instructed. Once they have all four left the room it suddenly shifts. The once large empty room shrinks and becomes populated. In the room a low table rests between four plush chairs, around the edges there are bookshelves, most with books but a few with various nicknacks.

The Sorcerer takes a seat in one of the plush chairs and I take the cue to stand and sit in one as well. I gently set the stone on the table and wait for her to speak. After a couple deep breaths she calms down and with a small smile looks up at me saying, "I have a feeling you have some questions for me."