Free A Crucible of Souls (Book One of the Sorcery Ascendant Sequence) by Mitchell Hogan Page A

and one of the… participants… was severely injured. It is hard to believe that happened by accident. ”
    “ It… I don’t know how that happened. There must have been a flaw in the wood, a crack or… ”
    “ Enough, ” interrupted Delife. “ You left us with a difficult issue to resolve. We cannot condone such behavior, and the fact that someone was seriously injured makes it much worse. Marlon’s family is important, both to this monastery and to the island as a whole. The damage to our reputation will be severe. ” He stopped and turned to Caldan, drawing his shoulders back and taking a deep breath. His manner became formal, and he looked Caldan in the eye. “ Believe me when I say this might be for the best, despite the circumstances. I am afraid we have no choice, and we cannot wait further. You have no place here with us anymore. As soon as you are well enough, you will be escorted to the docks, where you will take passage on the first ship leaving to Anasoma. Unfortunately, we had to take back the references we previously offered you. ”
    Blood drained from Caldan’s face. His mouth opened but no words came out. He slumped and his head lowered, hiding his face from Delife.
    “ Please, ” he managed to croak, throat tight. “ This place has been my life. You saved me from a life as a homeless orphan on the streets, where… who knows how long I would have lasted? I owe you and the monastery a debt that cannot be repaid. Please… give me a chance to make things up to you, to everyone. I know what I have done is unforgivable, but it was an accident. ”
    Master Delife remained unmoved. “ We know you were going to leave us in a few weeks, but the reality of the situation is we cannot let you go unpunished. Surely you see that? We depend on a good many outside people to be able to continue our work, and we cannot justify risking our relationship with them for… to put it bluntly, an orphan with no influential family or connections, no matter how talented they are. There can be no compromise when it comes to protecting our welfare and the continued prosperity of the monastery. And really, we are just bringing forward the day you leave by a few weeks. Count yourself lucky there wasn’t any more substantial punishment. I know you understand. ”
    Caldan didn’t move, except to clench his hands into fists. They had been so good to him, the masters, the monastery, and they were only looking to their own survival. After all they had done for him, he should be grateful. Then why did he feel like someone had punched him in the stomach?
    “ I… I do understand. ” One hand moved to his face to brush under his eye. “ You’ve all been good to me and I wish things had worked out differently. I’m sorry. ”
    “ I too wish the situation was different. ” Master Delife looked around the room, checking no one else was there, although it was impossible for someone to be hiding. “ Here, take this. ” He handed Caldan a leather purse half full with ducats. “ You’ll be allowed to take your belongings, but I didn’t see many coins among them. ” He smiled faintly. “ You’ll need something to give you a start. It’s not much, but it will help. It’s enough to set you up with accommodation for a few days, and to buy a few essentials, if you are thrifty. From then on you’ll have to make other arrangements. ”
    “ Thank you. ” Caldan’s hands unconsciously squeezed the purse. “ Thank you for this kindness. I owe so much, and I am ashamed this is how I have repaid everyone… I don’t know how it happened. ”
    “ Be that as it may, it did happen and we must face the consequences. Facing what life throws up makes us mature. It may not be fair, but it’s what shapes us. You have much potential, Caldan. It may be you are meant for greater things than we can provide here. ”
    Caldan stayed silent.
    Delife regarded him for a few moments. “ You’ve not had much time to absorb what we spoke