I awakened with a start, heaving and alert. My vision was blurry, and my head throbbed with an unknown pain, as if to tell me that I had seen too much. My mind couldn't comprehend what I had just seen, for mortal eyes weren't meant to read those words that were now burnt into my mind, forever engraved into my psyche.
Black Magic.
It was the foulest form of magic, perverse and corruptive by nature. Even those with the strongest wills couldn't withstand its temptations, and would be led down the path of treachery and villainy. What I had just witnessed was some form of black magic. That book was terrible, and for some reason it lay hidden with the walls of Solomon Manor. Who would have thought that such a terrifying book was here of all places? Who put it there? What were its contents? Why did it appear in my dream? So many questions, all left unanswered.
I knew what I had to do. I had to seek out the book, and learn the truth for myself. But, just as I had those thoughts, I suddenly recalled the significance of that skull painting. It had also shown itself in one of my dreams, but I couldn't remember which. My memories were hidden by a veil of fog, so I pried further, and other images that I had previously forgotten now became clear to me.
A sea of green. A snake in water. A bloody skull. A man whose flesh rotted to the touch.
What did these images mean? Were they related to black magic as well? The image of the bloody skull obviously referenced the painting behind which that strange book was kept. What about the others though? Would my dreams also reveal the truth about them, too? I considered telling someone else, but on second thought decided not to. It was too risky to let others known about these weird dreams. I should just keep it to myself. Don't reveal anything. I'd always kept to myself in the past, so it was no different now.
I jumped to my feet, and took a lit candle with me as I crept out of my bedroom, out into the dark corridors beyond. It was cold, and I could vaguely see my breath in the air as I tiptoed towards my father's office. Everyone should be asleep at this time of night, with perhaps only a few guards roaming about. I made sure to listen out for any heavy footsteps as I walked, and luckily didn't come across any guards during my short journey.
The Solomon Family, being one of the largest families in the kingdom, naturally had countless people under them. We had our own farmers, our own servants, our own guards, and our own private military. We could call upon the people to rally armies in times of need, and the local lords offered themselves as our knights. Not to mention, we had quite a few mages under our control as well who could easily turn the tide during battle. There were very few that could rival us. I was reminded of all this as I glanced at the paintings along the walls and the knight statues that stood on either side of the corridor.
Soon, I arrived at the painting. I looked it up and down once more, and wondered what it was meant to mean. Two hands, holding up a bloody skull with the sun behind it. I'd never heard of anything like that before. There was no signature on the painting either. I'd have to ask about it some time.
Hastily, I searched along its metallic golden frame and quickly found the groove where the button was. I reached out, and pressed it.
I waited anxiously for a few seconds before hearing a churning sound and a satisfying click. The painting swung forwards with a slight creak, revealing the hidden compartment within, just like in my dream. My heart beat faster in my chest, as I swung the painting all the way open and stared at the book that lay within.
It was black, leather-bound, and just looking at it sent shivers down my spine. It had no words written on its cover, giving no clue as to what was written inside. I gulped, and grabbed the book. This was it- this was what my dream had led me to. But why? I still had so many questions that were begging for answers, but instead I was left in total darkness. What did any of it mean? I always felt so clueless about things.
Being the middle child of a noble family wasn't easy. My younger siblings were praised all the time, and had bright futures ahead of them. My older siblings had already made names for themselves, and my parents were incredibly proud of them. But what about me? I always felt forgotten, distant from the rest of my family. The only people I talked to regularly were Beatrice and Mrs Edridge. I didn't have any friends outside of my family either. I was isolated, and looked down upon by others. I felt horrible. Even my teacher detested me.
But perhaps this book could change things. I knew black magic was vile and horrendous, but what if I could control it somehow? What if I could use its contents sparingly in order to rise through the ranks and become a mage that would make my family proud> Right, that was all I wanted. To make my family proud.
I heard thunder rumbling in the distance, and watched, mesmerised by the scene outside. Rain beat hard against the windows, as lightning flashed and winds howled. Nature's wrath captivated me for a short while before I turned back towards the matter at hand.
I clutched the book tight, and closed the painting. Just as it closed, I heard the distant echoing of footsteps, and I immediately panicked. I searched for a place to hide but found none, so decided to just lie my way out of the situation. I'd just tell the guard that I was going on a walk, and they'd leave me a lone. After all, I was their superior. It was as simple as that.
But, as it turned out, luck wasn't on my side. The person who came around the corner of the corridor wasn't a guard, but a woman, dressed in a long black dress with curly brown hair that fell to her shoulders and pale red eyes, similar to father's.
"Beatrice," I smiled, and walked towards her, acting as casual as possible.
"Isaac," she sounded surprised at me being here. "What are you doing up so late?"
"I was just picking up a book from the library for my studies. My teacher wanted me to get it earlier, but I forgot, so I decided to get it now before lessons in the morning," I replied calmly. "I don't want my teacher to get mad again."
"Of course not," she gave a soft smile, and glanced towards the book I was holding. "What book is it?"
"It's a... Uh, history book. It was quite difficult to find it," I said. "No title and all."
She nodded her head, and seemed to be convinced by my lies. "Well, you should get back to bed soon. It's quite late."
"Of course," I smiled, and began to walk on.
"Oh, and Isaac?"
I stopped dead in my tracks, and turned around. Had she realised something was off? Could she sense the black magic in the book? I panicked, and tried to remain calm. "What is it?"
"You should visit me in the gardens tomorrow. I want to chat with you," she said, worry in her voice.
"Of course. I'll come by midday," I said with a slight frown. I could feel that something was wrong. It wasn't like Beatrice to feel worried.
"Great," she said, relieved. What did she want to talk about that was so important? I suddenly remembered Mrs. Edridge's words from yesterday: 'I was told to inform you by the Lady Beatrice.'
Right, Beatrice knew about father's ultimatum. Was it about that? Was she intending on helping me, or was she going to explain her role in the decision? Well, no point in worrying about it now. I already had too much on my plate - I'd find out tomorrow. With that, I walked on, leaving Beatrice behind and heading back to my room in order to learn the secrets of the mysterious black book.