“Rest well father.” I hugged him tightly, the healer had only finished curing him an hour ago.

“Little one, I am so sorry. I have brought us to this dangerous place.” My father apologised, he was doing that a lot.

Even when dying, as I held him so tight he kept doing that. We had learned from the mistress that she had sent out letters warning all her future students away. We left before they arrived.

Now the two of us were stuck in a castle under siege. No classes, no teachers and there were monsters outside. It was terrifying, but like my mother said.

“Sweety, even if you are scared, you must put on a brave face. If you can do that, the scary things won’t feel scary anymore.” My mother whispered, only in memory.

She had been gone for three years now and died of illness. I have tried to live by those words. But life is so terrifying lately, it’s so hard to keep a brave face.

“It is alright daddy, Lady Ephemia will protect us. She is one of the greatest wizards in the duchy.” I proclaimed proudly.

She was the reason I begged Father to send me to her school instead of Towmond. When I first heard of the amazing Baroness Ephemia, I wanted to be like her so badly.

It had always been my dream to become a great wizard. Ever since I learned of my talent from a wandering wizard that visited our village all those years ago.

“Yes I have no doubt your heroine will defend us.” He smiled, but it didn’t seem quite right.

“Rest father, please.” I pleaded.

“Fine little one, but don’t go to far.” He yawned, exhausted.

I sat with him, holding his hand as he fell asleep. The healer said he would sleep more often and would need to drink lots of water.

I looked to the water pitcher and refilled the mug at his bedside table. When he wakes he will have a refreshing drink close at hand. Hugging him, I rested my head against his chest. Listening to his heartbeat, was so very soothing.

Despite my father wanting me to stay close. I had to leave this room. I heard the servants mention a library and I just had to check it out.

Untangling myself, I left the room and made my way down the right corridor. I knew the general location, so it only took me a few minutes before I was in front of an ornate double door.

Holding my breath, I was giddy with excitement. The castle library must have books on magic. I mean this keep was meant to be a school of Wizardry. It is only reasonable to think that.

I gripped the handles and pushed as hard as I could. The doors were heavy, but after a while, I managed to push them open. What greeted me was something out of my wildest dreams.

I large ornate room, larger than any I had ever seen in my life. My eyes were wide as I took in everything. The painted mural on the ceiling depicts demons and avatars battling each other. Winged glowing forms struck swords at horned devils with claws. Though it seemed like the demons were winning.

My eyes descended and took in the shelves of books lining the sides. There were so many, books beyond count. I noted a ladder to the left, secured to wheels. Probably to reach the higher books. It was amazing, down to the tables and chairs in the centre, they were likely brought in. They didn’t match the decor.

I heard some of the servants say that. I hope I’m saying it right. I will have to work on my speech since we will be under a noble ladies care. I hear they can be quite particular on that.

I paused for a moment, striding in. The mistress didn’t seem that formal when I spoke to her. Perhaps she was just putting me at ease.

I didn’t know, but I guessed I would learn soon. Once she gets rid of all the bad people outside and starts teaching us. My head began to fill with fantasies of her ladyship teaching me personally. It was a fantasy but I liked it and hoped for it.

“What are you doing here little lady?” An adult voice echoed from further in the room.

Scanning the area, I found an adult sitting on the far side, in a comfy chair next to an unlit fireplace. Approaching, I noticed he had a wide assortment of books strewn across the floor.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Horrified at the disrespectful treatment of such relics, I strode over and pointed an accusatory finger at the brigand.

“Hey, don’t put such precious books on the floor!” I hissed at the man.

He looked confused for a moment, looking me up and down before bursting out in laughter.

“What’s so funny?” I demanded, putting my hands on my hips, the same way Mother used to.

“Your just too adorable to take seriously.” He said in between chuckles.

I frowned, my face flushed with heat. I wanted to tell him off. I strode up to him and tried to look down at the black-haired man with grey eyes.

“Listen here, you shouldn’t put these books on the ground.” I protested.

He chuckled again, shaking his head, dismissing me. I was about to give him another piece of my mind as Mother would, but he instead interrupted.

“I’m sorry young lady, you are correct. It is disrespectful to the books. I was just in such a hurry to sort them all out.” He explained and some of the heat faded.

“Well, I can help you with that.” I declared proudly.

I had experience in a library, mother would take me to the one in the city every year. She even taught me to read and write. It wasn’t as magnificent as this, but it had a modest selection.

“Alright, let me help you.” I pushed forward and inspected the selection.

Eyes wide, the sight was incredible. I had not seen this many books on Wizardry in my life. Based on the few titles I could read, it was mainly warding, runes and sorcery. It was amazing and I found myself reaching out to touch them.

“Incredible aren’t they?” The man stood beside me and said.

“There are so many books on magic. I don’t even know where to start reading.”

“They are mostly books on subjects related to my own skillset. If you want books on other schools of Wizardry, check that shelf.” He pointed to a shelf filled with books in the right corner.

“Amazing.” I muttered, letting slip.

“It really is.” The man said.

“Your own skillset?” I asked, in a daze.

“Oh apologies little lady. I neglected to introduce myself. Senior Wizard Wilhelm, at your service.” He bowed like a noble and the importance of his words sunk in.

“Master Wizard, I am very sorry.” I pleaded, knowing now I had screwed up.

I was so embarrassed, I had just yelled at one of my future teachers. I wanted to bury my head in a pillow and forget the world exists.

“I am not a master yet, just a senior wizard. No need for the theatrics. Besides you were right to chastise me. I can get a little scatter brained with my books.” He explained, I think to reassure me.

“Still you are an actual wizard and you work under the mistress.” I said awed at the idea of working under such a powerful woman.

“I am a lucky man, to be taken in by the mistress, given my issues.” He paused, trailing back on his words. “Anyway, can you help this poor wizard with his books.”

“Yes it is only fair.” I said.

The two of us then proceeded to organise his selection, aligning them on the nearby table. Grouping them into categories based on associated schools of Wizardry, along with potential use in warfare, logistics and support.

I didn’t really understand the last few categories, but he assured me it was related to helping the mistress defend her castle. I was immensely happy to contribute and use my library knowledge to help Mistress Ephemia.

“Do you mind if I have a look at the book shelf?” I asked timidly.

“Go ahead, feel free to peruse the entire selection. I have to leave for a moment, so please make yourself comfortable.”

I nodded, giddy with anticipation. He left the library with several books in hand. I waited until he vacated before joyfully skipping over to the shelf.

So many volumes were contained in this treasure trove. I honestly couldn’t choose so just picked one at random. It caught my eye because of its rather simplistic design. Good books generally don’t have elaborate designs in my experience.

Grabbing its spine I tried to pull it from the shelf. It was stuck, I couldn’t easily slip it from its perch. Frustrated I pulled harder and managed to dislodge it, but only halfway.

The book came out on an angle, along with a faint clicking sound. Suddenly my world spun as I was thrown aside. Tumbling to the ground, I noticed two oddities. The ground was incredibly dusty and there was very little light.

The world was pitch black, I couldn’t see a thing. I started to panic, being afraid of the dark like any child my age. I stumbled to find my footing but managed to stand up.

After a short freak out, I managed to reclaim my wit, Mother's words never failed me and so I thought about the problem with a clear head.

Thinking furiously, I tried to recall how to summon a wizard light. The spell came to mind and I began the somatic gestures and pronounced the spell. It took a while, but soon the world came into focus as a small light ascended from my palm.

Around me was a darkened hallway leading off and into the distance. I turned back to where I fell and instead of a passageway back to the library, I found a stone wall.

“Hello!” I called out, receiving silence as a response.

I paced for a time, trying to find a way back through the wall. Every time I found nothing, the fear rose slightly. Keeping a brave face was getting very difficult.

Taking a few deep breaths I managed to calm down enough to think. Since I couldn’t leave through the wall, I turned to the corridor.

Seeing it as the only option I made my way down the darkened corridor. The way was rather cramped and constricting. It appeared to be a stone hallway leading somewhere. The place was covered in cobwebs and dust. This was a place absent any cleaners.

Eventually, I made it to the end and found another stone wall. Only this one had a lever sticking out of the wall. It was small and wooden but appeared to be well intact.

With no other option, I pulled on the lever, hoping it would open an exit. It took several tries but I managed to put enough force to pull it down. Just like before, my world spun and I found myself in a lit room with several voices echoing behind me.

I turned around to witness a horror from my worst nightmares. Four demons, for that was all they could be, were standing just opposite the room and all I could do was scream.