Trapped Souls
648 Words
It turns out that I didn't need to find Nathaniel.
He found me.
"Up!" a voice yelled, taking me out of my dreamless slumber. I squinted against the bright sun and looked up at an oddly familiar face. Well, it might have been years since I had last seen him but his face would always be recognizable. Though he has gained a few wrinkles, he still bore those dark marks and the piercings. My eyes went straight to his chest, however.
Right in the center was the five pointed star like the one on the amulet.
"Nathaniel," I said.
"Hello, young one," he smiled that same mischievous smile I remembered from the past.
"Why are you here?" I asked. It was a little strange that he appeared right when I needed him.
"I had a dream that brought me here. There are side effects to magic," he said as he helped me to my feet, "and one is the gift of foresight."
"I've a few questions for you," I told him.
"I know."
"How?" I asked dumbly as he pulled out a roll. He tore it in half and gave me the other.
"Foresight, remember?" he asked, "for a dragon rider, you are quite slow. Learn that from your father? He didn't catch on fast either."
"Don't talk about my father," I snapped at him.
"Fine, fine," he said as he waved his hand to the side, "that doesn't matter at the moment. What you need is answers and I'm willing to provide."
"For what?" I asked.
"Excuse me?"
"The cost?" I asked him. When he continued to look confused I went on, "you're a performer. You usually con your way into making money whatever means necessary."
"What makes you think I'm a performer?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"The uniform," I said with a shrug. He was still wearing similar clothes as to when he left. He had on loose fitting pants and a vest without a shirt under it to reveal his chest.
"I do look the part, don't I?" he muttered to himself.
"So?" I asked.
"So what will it cost you?" he asked. He took a deep breath and looked at me with a smile, "a warm bed to sleep in."
"That's all?" I asked.
"Yep," he said.
"Fine," I said as we shook hands, "now, answers."
"You're not even going to ask the question?"
"What does that symbol mean?" I asked and pointed to his chest.
"The star?" he asked as he traced it across his chest, "it's for a trapping spell. I used it for more of a symbolic gesture. Like, my soul will forever be trapped in my own body."
"A trapping spell?" I asked.
"Yes," Nathaniel nodded, "it traps souls."
"Souls?" I squeaked out.
"Yes," he said, "but that is all it does. It traps them in whatever it is that bears the mark. However, only a powerful wizard can capture the soul of a living person. It is mostly used to capture the soul when it is at its most vulnerable. Right when it's leaving its body."
"Is a warlock powerful enough to do it? I mean, he had this necklace...that had the star on it...he spoke some weird words and Felix flew right into the necklace."
"A powerful warlock, yes," Nathaniel said, "it is possible. Though difficult."
"Can we free them?" I asked. Nathaniel sighed as he ran a hand through his dark hair. His eyes were on the horizon. It was like he was trying to make a difficult decision.
"Yes," Nathaniel said, "but it will be difficult."
"Please," I said, "my whole life is difficult. Just tell me what I have to do."
"You are your father's daughter," he sighed as he shook out his shoulders, "fine."
"What?"
"I'll help you," he said and I smiled, "but there is one condition."
"What?"
"You better feed me."
- Writer
