Rise of Heroes

Chapter 22 - The Missing Book

Aaron slid through the library’s door, gritting his teeth as it creaked so loudly he thought the entire castle must have heard it. The place was completely dark and empty, and only the dim moonlight illuminated his path as he tiptoed to the back where their private chambers were located. Unfortunately for him, he was sharing his sleeping quarters with the Keeper of the Chronicles, not due to lack of space, but because the old man insisted on keeping him close and overseeing his studies. In other words, keeping an eye on him.

There were some particular traits of Aaron’s life that ought to be kept a secret, and his Master didn’t want to count on the boy to do the job properly. So Aaron was forced to share the spacious common room where they conducted most of their research and studies, but at least he had his own tiny bedroom. There was only one exit in their quarters, though, which made sneaking in and out especially hard.

Aaron crossed the library and stopped in front of the door leading to their quarters. It was close to midnight if he could count on the position of the moon peeking behind the thick black clouds, which meant Reinhart was hopefully fast asleep.

The boy turned the handle, stepping quietly inside. He was immediately met by the light from the candles resting on the table and the plate with the cold dinner his Master seemed to have left for him. Slightly hopeful, Aaron closed the door, looking around in search of the old man. The chamber seemed empty, but the candles were not even half gone, so this meant that the Keeper could still be awake in his room.

Aaron eyed the chicken and potatoes that rested invitingly on the table and hesitated. If he went to his room now, he could pretend to be asleep even if the Keeper realized he was back; if he stayed to eat, then there was a big chance his Master would sense his presence and come to check on him.

Aaron’s stomach growled its opinion, and the dispute was resolved. He dropped into the chair in front of the full plate and took a vicious bite from the roasted chicken leg. It was a small, scrawny piece of meat with honey and a lot of seasoning as Martha, the cook, usually did it — but the fact that he got any meat in the first place was a cause for celebration. Food was scarce as it was, and such pleasures were a rare delight.

He wiped his mouth with his sleeve, eyes aimlessly looking around, until they stopped on a small parchment lying on the table. Aaron stuffed one of the potatoes in his mouth, then waved his hand toward the parchment. The piece slid toward him, quickly unfolding before his eyes. Aaron’s gaze was just running through the content when a hand slapped him on the back of his neck. It wasn’t a strong blow, but it scared him out of his mind since the last time he checked, he was alone in the room. He turned around, his eyes turning red as his magic stirred in anticipation, ready to be used at his command.

As quickly as it came to life, he let it go when he noticed his Master’s displeased expression.

“What did I tell you about doing magic so openly?” Reinhart snapped, placing his hands on his hips. The boy rubbed his neck, turning back toward the table to avoid that reprimanding gaze.

“There is nobody around!” Aaron murmured. He could tell Reinhart was still glaring at him, but he didn’t know what else to say, so he stuffed another potato in his mouth.

“How you’ve managed to keep that head of yours attached is an absolute mystery to me!” Reinhart sighed, taking a seat in the chair next to the boy. “You know how important it is to keep your powers a secret! Not everybody is as understanding as the king. There will come a time when you won’t have to hide, but it is still not that time yet. I don’t know what may happen to you if your secret is revealed.”

“Believe me, I know, Master,” Aaron sighed, slouching his shoulders awkwardly. He used the remains of his bread to wipe the rest of the sauce, leaving the plate as if there was never food in it. While he was chewing on the last pieces of his dinner, Reinhart kept staring at him “What?”

“What do you mean?” The Keeper raised his bushy eyebrows in a well-played expression of confusion, but his apprentice knew him all too well to be fooled by it.

“You look disturbed. Has something happened? Is it the king?”

“The king seems quite well, actually. He is better than he has been in the past few weeks. I think the upcoming arrival of prince Jaden’s betrothed is cheering him up. I hope it stays like this a bit longer this time.” The last Reinhart said almost to himself, his distracted expression returning.

“Master, what is it?” Aaron insisted. Reinhart was usually very good at hiding his emotions, but something important must have happened for him to be spacing out like that.

“I seem to have misplaced a book, and now I can’t find it,” the Keeper finally answered, intertwining his fingers and raising his eyes to the boy. Aaron almost laughed — that was so typical of him. Nobody else would lose their sleep over a book, not Aaron at least. Still, he kept his expression straight as the older man continued. “I remember placing it on the last shelf in the back, hidden behind a few old tomes of Herbology. As you might guess, it was a spellbook, so I couldn’t just leave it lying around. I don’t know what made me check on it today, but I couldn’t find it. It’s a small one — black leather, beautiful silver inscriptions. It has a thin red cord that keeps it bound together.”

Aaron swallowed, staring down at his empty plate. He knew it very well, and he knew that if he told his Master the truth, he would be in big trouble. The old man seemed just mildly disturbed by the disappearance of the book, probably thinking that he had moved it elsewhere. Aaron was sure that he was going to go through all his other hiding places tomorrow, which gave him enough time to get back the book and place it in one of them before his Master could figure out it wasn’t in the library at all.

“No, I don’t remember seeing it. But I can help you look if you wish,” Aaron offered, glancing at his Master. The Keeper seemed too distracted to notice the delay in his response. “So it’s a spellbook. Why is it so important? I know there are a few others lying around here, but this is the first one that you’ve actually hidden. Or is it?”

Reinhart just gave him a thoughtful look.

“The spells in that book are extremely powerful and dangerous.” He replied quietly, lowering his gaze to his wrinkled fingers. There were ink stains all over them, old and new — just like the ones on Aaron’s hands. The boy had recently realized those could no longer be washed away, no matter how much he scrubbed them.

“What do you mean?” Aaron asked carefully. “Like evil conjurers? Have you sensed somebody?” His heartbeat suddenly quickened, and he leaned forward, impatiently waiting for the reply.

“Not as far as I am aware,” his Master sighed. “But that is not what I meant. Magic is neither good nor bad. It’s how you use it. People can use it for their own means, hurt others in their actions even if they are not realizing it. Those people may not be evil by nature, but they are still dangerous. That’s why this book must be found. If it gets in the wrong hands, we may have another problem as serious as the demons.”

Aaron swallowed again, trying to fake a reassuring smile. The good news was that the book was with Princess Estelle, so it wouldn’t fall into any wrong hands. The bad news was that Aaron couldn’t get rid of the memory of their conversation out of his mind. It was only a discussion, but her way of thinking, all the questions that rose after her words, made him somewhat uneasy. But he knew her, he knew her kind heart, although she hid it behind a wall of mischief and ice.

Yes, the book will be safe with her until he got it back.

“Enough of this.” The old man smiled at him, a genuine, fatherly smile uncovering even more wrinkles on his face. “How was your night? Princess Estelle must have had a lot of chores for you.”

“Not really,” Aaron mumbled, locking his eyes on the flat table in front of him. “I just helped her with the books. I then went for a walk.”

He could feel the Keeper’s eyes studying him.

“Anything you want to talk about?” His Master asked, raising an eyebrow. It didn’t feel like he was teasing him, but even his light curiosity made Aaron uncomfortable. The matter was too personal to discuss with him — especially considering the parties involved.

“No, I don’t think so. You wouldn’t want to listen to the ridiculous ramblings of a fool, anyway. You told me so before,” he replied, scratching his neck. The hotness in his cheeks spread to the rest of his face and neck, and he prayed that this uncomfortable moment would end quicker.

“Only if you’re absolutely sure. We have all been fools at some point,” Reinhart said thoughtfully, still looking at the boy. Aaron hesitated for a moment, but then shook his head, getting to his feet. “Going to bed?”

“Yes, I think that would be best,” Aaron sighed, relieved that he was going to put a door between him and the Keeper’s scrutinizing gaze. “A few more days and we’re finally going to meet the important guests we’ve been waiting for so long. Goodnight, Master.”

“Goodnight, Aaron,” The Keeper said just as the boy was opening the door for his room. He snuck in, quickly closing it, only to find himself surrounded by darkness. He stayed like that for a moment before waving his hand. The candle he had left on the nightstand lit up by itself, spreading its fade, dim light around the narrow accommodation. The only thing he got to have inside was his bed and a small wardrobe where he kept his few belongings.

“i***t!” he mumbled to himself as he kicked off his boots and dropped face-first on the bed. His thoughts kept flying around, stopping for only but a moment in his mind. The book. Estelle, smiling at him. The Royal Convoy due to arrive tomorrow. Black magic. Evil conjurers. The demons, attacking.

Aaron slipped into an uneasy slumber, his hand instinctively wrapping around the tiny crystal around his neck — the one thing that hid his powers from others like him and also prevented any demon from sensing the magic running through his veins. The Keeper insisted he wore it at all times, for his own protection, and that was pretty much the one thing Aaron was in full agreement with him.

Roder was more dangerous than ever these days. Especially for people who harbored the spark of magic within them.