Breaking News

Yet another victim has been claimed by the Redrum murderer. Jacquiline Dalion the daughter of esteemed Judge Jack Dalion. With her tragic loss that means a total of 12 victims have been claimed by this diabolical killer. This killer became known for their unique habit of giving their victims Mancient Battle Wine which is traditionally a type of rum made from the blood of your enemies. 

As the wine is believed to have been created from the blood of the killer's victims and the first body that was officially discovered was found to have been also given this wine it’s a not so well kept secret among the sheriff department that the killer most likely has other victims.

Chief Inspector Samson has stated that they are well on the trail of the killer and he should be brought to justice in the upcoming week. However he also said that until justice is served that everyone should stay in their homes and restrict their travel to the more well known streets and only during daylight.

When asked exactly how the sheriffs departments would be catching the killer Chief Samson declined to answer. We shall see if his promise is upheld in the coming days. Until then the city will be waiting with baited breath and trembling hearts at the thought of this monstrous killer still on the loose.

Article Written by Lucilla Binovio

“Man it’s just crazy the things people do these days right Magnus? Magnus? HEY MAGNUS!”

The speaker turned to look up at the man he was addressing. Said man was staring intently at his own copy of the newspaper. The man looked up to reveal brown eyes and a pale face with a smattering of freckles.

He pushed up his glasses and pushed back a lock of curly auburn hair before pursing his lips. “I’m listening Alec, just reading is all. Strange to see someone causing trouble in Lancasht. Even if they did, why target nobles? All that does is guarantee their head is going to end up in a noose or worse and it puts their family on the chopping block.”

Alec smiled, his blue eyes twinkling as his short golden hair shone. “I heard it was because  they were involved in some occult pact. Think about it every single one of the targets was connected to an aristocrat who suddenly shot up in importance. I mean Judge Dalion isn’t a noble, none of that crowd is but all of those ‘rising stars’ were suddenly in a position of power over the nobles. Do you think any of those bluebloods were going to let them stay there?”

Magnus furrowed his brow “If they really were dealing with some sort of occult powers you think they’d be able to stop the attacks.”

Alec shrugged “Maybe the nobles have their own occult powers. It wouldn’t be the first time they were accused of it, you know.”

“I highly doubt they need it with every other advantage they have working for them. Not only that to dabble is the occult if it even existed would be declared heresy. They’d be stripped of everything. Titles, riches, positions of power, everything. The Church wouldn’t tolerate that.”

Alec smirked “Of course. It’s not like a noble has never broken the church's decree before. They would never.”

Magnus cackled knowing just how untrue that statement was. Same with everyone in Lancasht. The nobles were a corrupt bunch if anyone were to break the church’s decree it would be them.

“C’mon we have to get to class. Professor Aldrige will kill us if we’re late again.”

Alec nodded his smile, dropping as the unusual duo hurried along the streets. As they rushed while also trying to keep their school cloaks in good condition Alec frowned. “I thought you of all people would be curious about this Magnus a chance to learn something so unique as the occult?”

Magnus smiled bitterly “Of course I would be, if it was real which we have no proof of.”

“The gods are real. We’ve heard enough tales of their miracles, why not someone, or something else?”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“And what proof do we have that they exist?”

Instantly Alec stopped their frantic rush grabbing the arm of his friend and pulling him low. “Magnus I know you’ve got a wit to you but never say those words again. The crusaders would tear you apart with a smile on their zealous little faces.”

Magnus rolled his eyes “I would simply say I was mistaken. The Oathkeepers hardly have the time to worry about me. It’s not like I have much to take.”

Alec glared at Magnus before nodding and continuing their walk. “Just be careful if someone hears you utter something like that it might not even be the church that steps in.”

Magnus absentmindedly nodded as the pair reached their destination. A vast Academy campus also known as The Laermin Institute for Higher Education. The duo rushed in heading to their class and nodded when appropriate to their fellow students.

Finally they arrived at their destination just in time to see the door slowly closing. Alec sped up just managing to slip inside while Magnus’s taller frame couldn’t. Through the window he saw the red headed Professor Aldrige narrow her eyes.

“I’ve told you time and time again Mr.Magnus. Maybe you can miss a class. Perhaps a bit of punishment will correct what stern words won’t.”

Magnus nodded sadly while Alec blustered “Maybe I should miss a class to Professor punishment and all.”

Professor Aldrige almost smiled but not quite “Oh no Mister Dolor you made it in on time. As Mr. Magnus won’t be with us mayhaps you could take notes for him. This will be an important session full of vital information.”

There was a light smattering of chuckles among their classmates as Alec nodded just as sad to stay as Magnus was to go. Magnus smirked, his own misery being cured with company as he turned to go. “Mr.Magnus, be sure to come back after class we will need to talk.

Magnus threw a hand over his shoulder to signify his acknowledgement before heading to his favorite spot on campus, the library. He got their fairly quickly, Profesor Aldrige’s class being close and grabbed some books to finish work from other classes before headed to his favorite location in his favorite location.

A grand table big enough to seat an entire party. Ornately carved and almost intimidatingly auster its dark wood had traces of silver and gold along its sides with runes carved into the top of it.

Its chairs were very different, only one at the head of the table carved and treated the same way as the table and large enough to sit someone of even Magnus’s large stature. The rest were clearly of a different material, probably oak since there was always a surplus around Lanchast. 

They were more normal sized and therefore almost too small. 

Magnus sat down and began his reading while he casually traced the carved symbols on the surface. He’d only been at it for a couple of minutes before he heard a snicker off to his side. He looked up to see a woman standing off beside him. 

She had black her hair in a librarian's bun and wore a cloak cut differently than the rest of the students even though she looked to be his age. “Kate, good to see you again how have you been.”

“Same as ever Magnus and I know how you’ve been Aldrige’s class runs for another hour at least was someone late again?” She chuckled blue eyes shining in amusement. Magnus just shrugged sheepishly as she sat down herself.

“You always pick that chair and I think everyone knows why just look at you but has anyone ever told you the story of it?”

“If I recall correctly it belonged to Angram the Scholar of Gold who felt that learning should be just as valued as the greatest treasure and created a table to match carved from Godswood, allegedly traced with the symbols to help with learning and traced with gold to symbolize wealth and silver to symbolize knowledge. After he passed, the Royal Family donated it to the Academy to foster learning. Since the Professors all fought over it, it was instead placed in the library around 130 years ago”

Kate nodded “Very true but do you know why the seats are the way they are?”

Magnus nodded his head “The seats were stolen and stripped down correct?”

Kate shook her head and smiled even wider. “When Angram created the table he also created a personalized seat for each of his peers. He made it so no matter where the members of the table were located all they had to do was sit in the chair when he called and they could all talk in a location of his choosing. 

Due to the seats all being personalized and not actually being at the table after Angram passed no one could locate them. Since it was made of Godswood the royal’s couldn’t just carved more chairs and instead passed it along somewhere it could be used and the incomplete status wouldn't matter. The only chair they actually found was the one that matched the table, Angram’s, the one you're sitting in.”

Magnus hummed “That was interesting thank you for telling me. I do however need to complete my work so if you don’t mind.”

Kate rolled her eyes “Of course oh Magnus Angram the great Scholar. Please don’t let me stop you from those books.”

Magnus chuckled “My apologies I could have worded that more politely.”

“Yes you could. I do actually need to do my job so you get away with it this time. Also stop hiding books you don’t want people to check you on the top shelf. It's irksome.”

“I’m sure I have no idea what you mean but if I find this scoundrel consider him warned.”

Kate rolled her eyes and strolled off to complete her tasks while Magnus went back to his studies. He continued reading as his hand traced over the symbols. As he did his eyes slowly grew heavy.

Magnus jolted awake and yawned, stretching as he did. He couldn’t have been asleep that long otherwise Alec would have woken him up. He stood and reached to gather his books and return them only to miss. He frowned and reached again before missing. 

He woke up a bit more and suddenly heard a voice behind him “If you are done with your theater.”

Magnus turned to see a man draped in luxurious robes wearing a gold wreath. “Are you not going to bow? You stand in the presence of the Scholar of Gold Angram Aurelius himself. Have the times really brought scholars so low?”