I held the worn book in my hands, its pages as delicate as feathers. I flipped through it, amazed at how detailed it was. It began with an account of the first instances of dark magic appearing.
"The first recorded incident was 100 years ago," I read. "A farmer was upset that a wealthy landowner had bought his land from under him in a sneaky way. Enraged and depressed after losing his livelihood, he planted a magic circle on the land with his pent-up emotions influencing his magic. This circle poisoned the lands and with each year, the lands emitted a vapor that eventually surrounded the nearby village. The result was mass death and the fleeing of a small number of survivors. The land was restricted by the king and has remained that way since."
I shuddered. It was hard to imagine such a terrible thing happening. But it made sense, I thought. Magic is rooted in creativity, and emotions directly affect an individual's creativity. When authors are sad, their stories can be sad. When musicians are happy, their music is on the lighter side. So it only follows that a farmer who is angry and depressed would create dark magic.
"Dark magic is something truly terrifying," I said to myself. "Breathing the air killed a village full of people."
I turned to the next section of the book and my eyes widened. "The twin who saved the world: Purification Magic," the title read.
I quickly scanned the page. The book explained that on the countryside of Robaine, where the first curse recorded began, a decade later, a young girl was born. Her name Tinasia. She was the twin sister of the farmer's son who had created the dark magic— Harriote. But unlike her brother, she was born with a gift for purification magic. She was able to use her magic to cleanse the land and the air, and she eventually saved the village from the curse.
Harriote didn't get the power of purification though. He inherited the cursed magic of his father. But having love for his sister ran off into the then called 'black lands'now 'unfounded lands'. Tinasia, although saddened by her brother's disappearance, marries into the duchy of Millione where her family vowed to continue with purifying dark magic from the kingdom.
So that's why father agreed to the agreement for my marriage. He felt a sense of duty to that vow. His duty to me as his daughter was also quelled by me being able to divorce so there was no harm in it either.
I closed the book and took a deep breath. I knew that I had learned a bit about my supposed family this way. Although it was small information. I was going to learn purification magic and use it to save the world from dark magic.
I stood up and walked over to the window. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the land. I smiled bitterly. A land this beautiful has such a dark side to it. Darker than Kitelle's. But if I do my part and make sure the lands are okay after the High Magician proves them right or not, then I can experience this land for all it has to offer.
I turned back to the book and opened it to the first page of the next chapter. I was ready to learn everything I could about purification magic and the title offered me some comfort: The specifics of dark and purification magic.
I was startled to see Evanil standing over me. I didn't hear him enter. I must've been too lost in my thoughts.
"I see you like the book. I made sure to find one that was translated well. The Red Rope helped with that."
I nodded. "Yes I find the book helps me understand it a little."
"Nanny Emilia must've spilled some of the beans on the agreement." He sighed, taking a seat near me. "Your head didn't hurt when she told you right? Ninja's abilities only heal up the the amount of pain inflicted when she casts it. Anything extra would still hit you until her power matures more."
So that's why I had a slight headache.
"I felt a slight headache but nothing serious." I laughed. "Nanny Emilia was extremely helpful. She gave me the gist of things. This agreement…it was made when we were kids. How far has the dark magic spread?"
"To the cities just outside of the border between the unfounded lands."
That's not too far into the kingdom. There's still a chance it wouldn't take long to clear things up. If I can learn how, that is. But that's only the case if the High Magician verifies I do have my memories locked away and if they are what I find out from them.
"That's unfortunate," I said. "I'm the only one that can stop it, by the words of this book and you all. What if I refuse the agreement? I don't marry you and I choose to to not be a part of the dark magic cleanup?"
"If you refuse we will not force you," he replied. "But you would have to deal with a jury of your peers. We would ensure your safety the best we could but your presence has already been made known when we entered. Everyone knows this tale. The people of not only our kingdom, but others will not take kindly to the refusal. If the dark magic continues then it will spread throughout all the kingdoms. If you issue is marrying me then I would be willing to give up my kingdom to ensure the safety of those in it."
Now how can I disagree after saying something like that?
I didn't answer him. I only sat in silence before continuing to read. He smiled at this as if something had amused him.
"The High Magician will be here in 3 days," he said, getting up to leave. "After he comes, you can make your decision. Remember it's your own and no one else's."
His words were of little comfort. While we're pretending the decision is mine, the truth is that it isn't. It's already been decided if the High Magician can detect a manipulation spell. I can say no and the people don't bother me after being locked away. If not, then…all this worry, all these situations, Evanil, Maliece, Nanny Emilia, they'll all be gone.
So there's nothing to worry about.
But, would it be right to leave Evanil to deal with the political situation on his own with deciding not to? He did help save me, do I owe it to him to help or would I be abandoning my savior?
Ah. My chest hurts.
I closed the book and put it down. I stood up and walked over to the window, looking out at the beautiful landscape. But all I could think about was the dark magic that was threatening to destroy it all.
I took a deep breath and tried to clear my mind. I needed to focus on the present moment and not worry about the future. Then, a solution occurred to me.
I turned away from the window and walked back to the table. I picked up the book and opened it to the first page of the next chapter. I was ready to learn everything I could about purification magic.
I knew that it would be a difficult journey, but I was determined to succeed. I had to succeed. For the sake of the kingdom. And for the sake of my family.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I was ready to begin my new plan.