Free Summoner: Origins The Prequel by Taran Matharu Page A

uniform left no doubt as to who he was: Lord Scipio.
    â€˜I was just going to go and collect you, when you ran right past me,’ Scipio said, before turning back to the open door he had come through. He gave a brief, sharp whistle. The hairs on the back of Arcturus’s neck stood up as he heard a yowl from outside, then a demon bounded through the door, its tail lashing the air.
    Sacharissa growled, her hackles raised at the sight of the new demon. It looked like a snow leopard, with a dusting of black spots on a thick white pelt. It had two long canines that poked out on either side of its mouth like twin sabres, below a set of four fierce green eyes, not unlike Sacharissa’s. Strangest of all, it seemed to walk like a jungle chimp, crouching on two legs and resting on its front paws, almost bipedal, but not quite. It was agile, for it slunk swiftly around the room, its eyes never leaving Sacharissa.
    â€˜Calm down, Kali, you’d think you’ve never seen a Canid before,’ Scipio laughed, as the Felid arched its back, snarling at Sacharissa. ‘You’ll have to forgive her, Arcturus. She’s a bit afraid of them.’
    Scipio winked conspiratorially at Arcturus. As if she understood him, the Kali froze, then sat back on her haunches. She proceeded to lick her paw, completely ignoring Sacharissa.
    Scipio walked over and held his hand out for Sacharissa to smell. She gave it a cursory sniff, then licked it once with her pink tongue to show her approval.
    â€˜Canids and Felids, there’s always been a bit of a rivalry there. Must be something to do with competing for food sources in the ether.’
    â€˜The ether?’ Arcturus asked, his curiosity piqued.
    â€˜You’ll find out soon enough,’ Scipio said, looking behind Arcturus at the others. They had been watching their exchange with interest.
    â€˜Make room for Arcturus, ladies and gentlemen. He shouldn’t have to crane over young Elaine’s head. Charles, Damian, there seems to be some room in between you. Budge up,’ Scipio ordered, shooing them with his hands.
    The two boys stared daggers at Arcturus, who shuffled forward and wedged himself between them. They leaned in, digging their shoulders uncomfortably into his own.
    â€˜For the benefit of Elaine and Arcturus, I shall give a basic run-through of what we are going to learn here over the course of this year. It will act as a good refresher for those of you who have neglected your studies since last we met.’
    There was an audible groan from the others and Arcturus frowned apologetically. Edmund mouthed, ‘It’s fine,’ at Artcurus and gave him a smile.
    â€˜Now, this stone in the centre is the largest scrying stone ever discovered, otherwise known as the Oculus. Are you aware of what a scrying stone does?’ Scipio said, pushing between the Queensouth twins and pointing at the stone.
    â€˜Yes sir, when a demon touches it, the stone will show everything that a demon sees,’ Arcturus said, remembering his brief lesson with Obadiah Forsyth. Elaine nodded in agreement.
    â€˜Very good. It will keep showing it for several hours, or until the scrying stone is touched once again. Now, Kali here will demonst—’
    Before he could finish speaking, a draft ruffled the hair on Arcturus’s nape as the Felid soared over him. It landed with its paws around the stone, before nudging it gently with its nose.
    â€˜Ahem . . . yes . . . well done, Kali,’ Scipio said, as the stone flickered with colour. A moment later Arcturus was staring at a close-up of Charles’s face, for that was where Kali was looking. The detail was incredible—
    Arcturus could even see the pores in the boy’s nose. It was not a pretty sight.
    â€˜Felid’s have better eyesight than others. Most summoners prefer to use a Mite to scout the ether first, but Kali is quick enough to jump back through if there’s