Free The Tomes Of Magic by Cody J. Sherer Page B

magic. Any of the experts could lead a class in their school of magic and intermediate skilled Wizards were able to practice on their own. The overall ranking system held three ranks, novice, journeyman, and advanced. Emily had yet to be tested on the ranking system. Each of the factions had their own ranks within their faction as well. The Royal Wizards had a tier system that consisted of five levels. In order, the ranks were potential mage, mage-in-training, mage, learned mage, and Wizard. They reserved the right to withhold the title of Wizard until a member reached the top tier.
    Emily was greeted by a fellow Wizard named Sheliana. She was average height with a slim build. Her smile made Emily feel as though they would be fast friends. The two continued talking as Sheliana showed the newcomer to her room. Each of the Royal Wizards had their own room, which was rare on the Isle of Magic. Emily, being the newest member of the faction, had the smallest room. It neighbored Sheliana’s room, as she was the second newest member. Emily invited her new friend into the room and was surprised to see that her belongings had already been moved. As was the Isle of Magic custom, upon being accepted into the ranks of a faction, her belongings were given to her new faction. Each faction had their own way of dealing with newcomers. Emily was glad that the Royal Wizards had taken care of her belongings and appointed the previous newcomer to help her become acclimated, though it was a strange feeling to be told the rules by one younger than her. The two discussed the Isle of Magic until Emily felt she could open her eyes no longer. Sheliana excused herself and Emily slumped down on her bed and fell asleep.
    *
    Gareth grimaced as he heard Leniya, Selena, and Miriel arguing. The two Druids were trying to recruit the former witch into their number, but Leniya saw it as betraying her people. There was a time when the former Grand Crusader would have seen the two groups as different, but his time spent with Leniya and her people had changed that. His entire life had been flipped upside down in a matter of months. Now he was even beginning to wonder if he was developing feelings for the former witch. He could not argue about her beauty, but it had been many years since he considered falling in love. His thoughts wandered as he continued to try to ignore the arguing. Leniya burst out of the tent and nearly ran him over. She stormed off as he realized what was going on.
    “What happened?” He called after her.
    “None of your business!” She yelled back at him.
    He shook his head as he slowly stood up. The arguing had been going on for three days now. He had lost track of how many times a request of the Druid Council turned into an argument. Blasted Druids and their arguing , he thought as he watched her disappear into a tent. It wasn’t that he didn’t think they had the right to argue on the matter. Gareth felt that they were wasting valuable time that could be spent helping the dwarves. The others had been surprised when he first suggested it. Ector and Sev had already taken squads of elves to the dwarves, but the former Grand Crusader wondered if it would be enough. He had faced off against numerous enemies and knew that if they wanted to survive the coming war with either the dragons or the Holy Order, they would need to first defeat the orcs and their allies.
    “A moment, if you will,” Ellesar poked his head of out the tent to address Gareth.
    “Of course,” Gareth replied.
    “These arguments have gone on long enough, but I cannot stop them alone.” The Druid stepped out of the tent.
    “What would you like me to do?”
    “You aren’t going to like it, but you must convince her to join the Druid Council. My family makes up the majority of the Council and our integrity is seen as lacking by some. We need more members on the Council. I plan to ask Ector as well.”
    “Perhaps if you opened up the Council to those who are not