Star of Sakova

Leaving the shouts behind, Temiker whisked into the schoolhouse to make sure that no students had stayed the night as they occasionally did when they had a perplexing problem, which they refused to let go of. Satisfied that the building was empty, Temiker started at the rear of the building tossing fireballs at the walls. Moving as swiftly as he could, Temiker made his way back to the front door satisfied that the building would be nothing but ash when the sun arose. Tears welled up in the mage's eyes as he remembered the years of his life devoted to the school, but the safety of his students was worth more than the old building. His students were smart enough to know that something was very wrong and he hoped that none of them would openly identify with the school. The invaders appeared to be set on capturing him and they would not hesitate to use an unsuspecting student to accomplish their goal, not that his students would be able to help them. Still the students could be hurt by the invaders even if they could not help locate him.

Temiker kept to the shadows as he moved. Already the populace was stirring with shouts of fire and soon the streets would be crowded with the curious and those who sought to help. The wizard smirked as he thought of the invaders and how they would try to be inconspicuous in the milling crowd.

Temiker slid down an alley as the first onlookers started filing into the street. Some people leaned out of windows for a look, but their focus was far distant from the streets below and Temiker felt no fear of discovery from them. He knew the invaders would immediately try to block the exits from the city and time became his enemy. He cursed his years of inactivity and the extra twenty pounds he carried because of it. Already he was losing his wind and the magic became difficult when one couldn't breathe. And magic was the only way Temiker was going to get out of the city.