We clambered up out of the catacombs into the empty Gathering Room. Most of the other students had already gone home for the start of summer, but we'd stayed, as had several mages who guarded the place. With the headmistress gone and with the threat of Ryze, the academy was vulnerable to attack. So was Seph who still gripped the onyx since Ryze was deadset on saving the stones from destruction even though he'd failed four times. So, we weren't willing to risk leaving Seph without protection. ...