Krazar’s strange experience with the mirror made him double his effort to develop as a wizard. He focused on his study from early in the morning to the late evening, further alienating him from his fellow students. At first Ferlinde tried to maintain their friendship, but Krazar drowned himself deeper and deeper in his quest for answers. She regretted ever showing him that cursed mirror. When Ferlinde turned eighteen she was awarded membership of the Council of Wizards, but Krazar never showed up for the ceremony. She left the school without saying goodbye, and without ever learning what Krazar had seen in the mirror that day. By the time Ferlinde left school, Krazar used all his leaves of absence to be initiated into the ways of rogues. He had learned the basics of moving around unseen and unheard, which he believed would further help him find out the truth about himself.
About a year after Ferlinde went her own way, Krazar turned sixteen, and was two years ahead of schedule in his studies of the arcane. Lili didn’t have anything to teach him anymore, but he was still too young to become a Council Wizard. Krazar was free to do as he saw fit. He was allowed to use the school as his home, since it was paid for. But he had no obligations, which gave him the opportunity to intensify his training as a rogue, and at the same time allowed him to set up a master plan. A plan that could cost him a position as Council Wizard, which he was willing to risk. The real challenge was gaining access to the city’s center, where the Arch mages lived. That part of the plan was about to come to fruition.
The tops of the biggest towers were cloaked in mist, as Krazar made his way to the center gate leading to the outer ring of the city. He wore a black cloak and robe, allowing him to fade into the shadows when needed. “Good morning Krazar”, the gate guard said. “Going out again.” Krazar nodded and walked through the gatehouse, paying no further attention to the guard. He checked his surroundings making sure he wasn’t followed or watched, then disappeared in a narrow alleyway between two buildings. To his left and right blind walls from the surrounding buildings towered overhead. The alley was dark and littered with waste, a sharp contrast from the main streets. Krazar threw his black hood over his head as he quickly paced along, avoiding overflowing trashcans and broken glass. In the middle of the alley a man in torn clothes sat on the ground. He looked up at Krazar with a smudgy face and hollow eyes, clearly caused by malnourishment.
“Oi, spare a coin for a poor old beggar? My back aches and my belly rumbles.” Krazar stopped and took a silver piece from his pocket. The man reached out his hand, from under the ragged blanket that covered his shoulders. His hands were dirty and his broken fingernails disgusting to look at. Krazar bend over and while putting the coin in the man’s hand whispered, “Rich is he who lost it all.” The beggar nodded and checked whether anyone was near. He stood up and lifted the torn rug he was sitting on, revealing a rusted metal grate. The beggar opened the grate and whispered back, “Poor is he who has it all.” Beyond the grate a crude and narrow staircase led down into darkness. A foul smell rose from below, the smell of human waste and rotting food. Krazar quickly walked down the slippery stairs while the beggar closed the grate behind him, covering it up with the rug.
Krazar felt his way down the pitch black passage, leading him roughly fifteen feet down. He ran his hands along the cold rough wall until he found a torch resting in a torch holder. He took the torch and whispered, “Ignato Firis.” The top of the torch sparked a few times, then suddenly lit up, revealing a short corridor leading to the city’s sewers. Krazar had to bend down to get through the corridor, keeping the torch in front of him. The flame brushing the ceiling caused all manner of spiders and cockroaches to flee into the nearest crack or crevasse in the wall. Krazar stepped onto the walkway next to the underground river of filth slowly flowing under the city. He looked left and spotted a marking on the floor, a crude triangle with an eye above it. He turned left slowly proceeding onwards looking for more markings. He had been down here before, and knew that following the markings was the only safe way to reach his destination.
After almost ten minutes and several bends, turns and passages, he finally got to a wooden door with the same symbol on it, the pyramid and the eye. Krazar touched the inside of the pyramid with his fingertip, causing the eye to light up. A voice could be heard from the other side of the door, “State your name stranger.” Krazar replied, “My name is familiar.” Several bolts unlocked, and the door swung open. A slender man dressed in supple leather armor looked at Krazar. The man, from under his hood, inspected Krazar from top to bottom. “You seem to check out, welcome.” He gestured Krazar to enter, quickly closing and securing the door behind him.
A torchlit corridor led to an open space with doors leading in every direction. Several chairs were placed around a round table, and small hooks lined the wall, most of them holding up a cloak or coat. The sound of laughter and entertainment could be heard from behind the left door, accompanied by the smell of wine, roasted pork and incense. In a shady corner of the room a someone cleared their throat. “Ahem, Krazar isn’t it?” A shady figure moved forward from the shadows into the light. “I am, yes”, Krazar replied. “Follow me”, the man ordered. They moved through one of the doors normally off limits to anyone, even those considered guests to the brothel, and made their way through a slightly degrading corridor. At the end of the corridor a heavy iron door with a small slide blocked their passage. The man opened the slide gesturing Krazar to step back, looked through the opening for a few seconds, than closed the slide and unlocked the door. “Wait in here until you are called for, Mister McLovin is busy at the moment. Feast your eyes on the women, it’s on the house.” Krazar nodded and entered the room.
He sat down in a large comfortable couch, right next to the fireplace, in front of which lay a gorgeous young woman on her belly. She was scarcely dressed, wearing a tiny piece transparent blue cloth around her breasts, her nipples almost piercing through. A rope around her waist held up a piece of cloth about half the width of her waist, revealing her perfectly rounded bottom. She rested her head on her hands while playfully moving her legs back and forth, looking at Krazar with dark mysterious eyes. Krazar had no experience with women, but knew enough to enjoy this erotic display. He felt his manhood growing inside his pants, and kept observing the tantalizing young woman.
From behind a curtain on the other side of the room another woman appeared, dressed in the same sensual way. She wore a silver chain around her waist and ankles that softly tinkled. She seductively swayed her hips and played with her long dark hair as she approached Krazar. She stopped in front of him her feet set apart, then bent over, her barely covered breast no more than an inch from Krazar’s face. The smell of musk from her body made Krazar shiver with lust, but he knew he wasn’t allowed to touch the women in here, adding to the tension between them. The woman turned around her long hair covering her back right up to the top of her butt. She looked over her shoulder at Krazar sensually licking her upper lip.
The woman in front of the fireplace rolled onto her back on the tiger skin rug, curving her back and bending her head back to keep her eye on Krazar. The second woman kneeled down by her feet facing Krazar. She let her hand slide over her breasts and down her perfectly curved body. She pushed open the legs of her counterpart, and slowly crawled forwards, gently rubbing their skin together. They started kissing each other while sensually moving their bodies in lust. Krazar enjoyed this thoroughly and was aching to touch the sensual women before him. A door opened to the right, and a man came walking out, going straight for the exit. Krazar noticed the worried look on the man’s face, but quickly turned his attention back to the show in front of him. A minute later a woman dressed in a skintight brown leather jumpsuit stepped in. Her ginger hair was tightly bound in a ponytail, and her emerald eyes accentuated with heavy black cat-eye makeup. “Enjoying yourself”, she chuckled. “Mister McLovin is ready to see you.”
The two seemingly aroused women abruptly stopped their act and stepped back behind the curtain. Krazar chuckled at his own ignorance thinking they were actually lovers. “More then them, I see now.” The woman laughed, “I’m pretty sure they would both have loved some private time with you, but that is for another day. Step right in.” Krazar followed her into a dimly lit room, where she sat Krazar down in a chair facing a linen curtain stretching the length of the room, she then left the room through another door. Light behind the curtain cast a shadowy silhouette of a person sitting behind it, Mister McLovin, which was obviously not his real name. Krazar inspected his surroundings. Several paintings hung on the walls, and a large chest was standing to his right. Krazar patiently waited for a minute as he noticed another silhouette moving in, bending over to the other whispering something he could not make out. The second silhouette left, and Mister McLovin started speaking.
“So you seek passage into the center of this city I heard.” Krazar wanted to answer but didn’t get the chance, as Mister McLovin continued. “The reason why is your own business. My business is turning your desire into my profit. What can you offer me in return of my fulfilling your desire?” Krazar had no idea what to offer, he didn’t have any money or valuables except for his spell book, and obviously not going to give that up. He thought about this for a few seconds than replied, “I have nothing to offer, but maybe we can trade. Tell me what you desire in return.” Mister McLovin laughed, “A clever answer, a trade it will be. The terms of the trade you will discuss with the Ginger Cat, she will be right with you. The light faded and the silhouette disappeared from the curtain.
A minute later the emerald eyed woman walked in. “You are the Ginger Cat, I presume”, Krazar said. She simply clawed the air with her hands an purred like a cat, then sat down beside Krazar. “Our end of the contract. We will grant you access to the city center through the sewers. We are not aware of your business there. We will deny any participation in granting you this access. We will open the access at a time indicated by you. We will wait for your return for twenty-four hours. Failure to make this deadline is entirely at your own risk, we can’t be held responsible for any consequences. Do you agree?”, “Yes, I agree.” “Then please sign here.” Krazar was startled, he had not seen her holding any paper or quill when she walked in. He re-read the contract and signed.
The Ginger Cat continued, “Your end of the contract. You will take the contents of this chest, a scroll, and discretely place it in the drawer of Lady Jibella’s nightstand. You will not ask why and personally place it there. You will not open the scroll or read its content. You will deny any involvement in this or its consequences. You will place it there within one week. You will return here in two weeks, upon which you will receive payment according to this contract. Should you be caught, we will deny any involvement and destroy this contract. Do you agree.” Krazar felt like he didn’t really have a choice, so confirmed the proposal and signed the contract. The Ginger Cat than signed both parts of the contract herself. She walked over to the chest and took a scroll from it, then handed it to Krazar. It was sealed with the insignia of the Council of Wizards. Krazar hid the scroll under his cloak, then stood up ready to leave. The Ginger Cat opened the door for him, “Feel free to enjoy the ladies in here some more, or spend some time at our brothel. Good luck and I will see you in two weeks.” She purred again and closed the door. Krazar had lost his interest in the charade of the two women in front of the fireplace and quickly made his way back through the rooms and corridors into the sewers. He followed the markings back to the beggar and hurried back to his school home.
The next morning Krazar went back to the city’s outer ring. He wore his regular clothing rather then his apprentice’s robes, to make sure no one would directly link him to the wizard’s school. He strolled through the noble’s district, pretending to enjoy the architecture of the luxurious estates. In reality he was trying to overhear conversations of locals, in an attempt to discern which estate was Lady Jibella’s. He didn’t want to ask anyone, figuring that would only draw attention to himself, and might even force him to explain why he was looking for it. After about half an hour he struck gold. Two noblewomen were discussing what to wear to a party hosted by Lady Jibella. He followed them within hearing distance, and learned the party was the day after tomorrow. He couldn’t believe his luck when he heard the party was to be a bird-themed masquerade. “I have some shopping to do”, he thought to himself.
On the evening of the party Krazar put on his new black blouse with raven feather ruffles and bronze cufflinks. He struggled to put on the pair of black leather pants he had bought, but they looked perfect in combination with the black boots and high shin covers. Around his waist a bronze chain belt with a decorative rapier, to match the black velvet hooded cloak he had the tailor make in a hurry. The bronze hemlines lining the cloak and hood perfected the picture. He looked at himself in the mirror, satisfied with his outfit, and splashed some of the perfume he had bought on his neck. He breathed in deeply and was surprised the smell actually matched the name of the perfume, ‘Midnight Mysteries’. He had chosen it because the name seemed appropriate. As finishing touch he put on the mask he had found in a curiosity shop. It fully covered his face, and resembled a raven’s head made from real raven feathers. It had a bronze colored beak, and gorgeous moonstones as eyes, set to the left and right of the mask creating the illusion of a real raven’s head. The holes Krazar looked through were covered with fine lace, allowing him to see everything without anyone seeing his eyes. Krazar put the hood over his head and mask. “Perfect”, he complimented himself.
Krazar felt pretty nervous when he followed a couple of other costumed people on their way to the estate. They noticed his outfit and complimented him on his mysterious look. One of the women wearing a pearl-covered white dress and long white lace gloves slowed her pace and walked beside Krazar. He noticed her light tread and well-shaped breasts. She held up her pure white velvet mask in front of her eyes, contrasting with her sensual lips, which she had painted scarlet. “Are you alone, dark one?”, she asked. Her voice was gentle and slightly seductive. Krazar mustered his courage and replied, “Not anymore”, while offering her his arm. She took up on his offer and whispered, “Lead me to my Dark Raven’s fate tonight.” Krazar had no idea what she meant by that, but could feel a sexual tension surrounding the many guests on their way to the event.
After spending some time in and around the estate, Krazar felt his confidence grow. He mingled with the other guests adding to their conversations, which mainly debated the costumes and catering at the party. He noticed and enjoyed the abundant interest he got from the ladies, who seemingly took a liking to his dark mysterious appearance. The men attending the party were not amused by this, but realized their outfits were no match for Krazar’s, and didn’t dare confront him. He radiated mystery and authority. None of the men wanted to risk losing face by showing their envy, and most saw him leading his white lady to the festivities, easing their jealousy when other ladies caressed his feathers.In the late evening Krazar sat down on a stylish stone bench in the back of the garden. He needed to find out where Jibella’s bedroom was. He was looking up at the starlit sky when, from behind him, two white gloved hands touched his shoulders and slid down to his chest. “Come inside and dance with me, my Dark Raven.” Krazar recognized the voice and stood up. He took the white ladies hand and bowed while kissing it. “Most certainly my lady.” He again offered his arm and led her to the ballroom. The other guests moved aside as they saw the couple entering the ballroom. Krazar, in his head, thanked Ferlinde for teaching him some of the basics needed to dance properly.
The ballroom was decorated with marine and golden drapes along its walls. Three enormous golden chandeliers lit the shiny marble dance floor. A group of musicians was performing on a small stage in the back of the room. Krazar took his partners hand, and rested his other hand on her hip, sending a shudder through her body. They graciously flowed across the dancefloor, dancing better than most of the guests around them. The rhythm of the music, and enchanting looks of Krazar’s partner made him feel a warmth inside similar to what he had experienced before meeting Mister McLovin. The subtle pinches and whispers from his white lady turned him on, making him understand the essence of a masquerade. Suddenly he realized what he needed to do to fulfill his mission, and he softly chuckled at the thought.
After dancing for a while, Krazar pulled his partner close and caressed her butt, “I think we should find some privacy.” The white lady secretly let her hand glide down feeling Krazar’s cock, “What did you have in mind dark one.” Krazar shuddered, “Do you know where the hostess’ bedroom is? I’m pretty sure it will be vacant for a while.” The white lady slowly slid her hand up and down, “You naughty devious man, follow me.” They moved of the dancefloor pretending to need refreshments, and sneaked up the grand staircase making sure no one saw them. The white lady held Krazar’s hand basically dragging him through the dark hallway and into Jibella’s bedroom.
The white lady didn’t waste any time. She threw her mask on the bed revealing her dark eyes and pretty face. She pulled Krazar close and wanted to remove his mask. Krazar definitely didn’t want that, so he pushed her onto the bed, and sat on top of her. She tried again to remove Krazar’s mask, but Krazar took her wrists and pinned her on her back. He noticed the curtain ropes from the four-poster bed, and quickly tore them down, using them to tie her hands to the bedposts. She squirmed underneath him, “Yes, tie me down and take me any way you want, you dirty Dark Raven.” Krazar took the ropes the curtains at the foot end of the bed, and used them to tie her ankles to the remaining two bedposts. The white lady was now fully at his mercy, and was temptingly wiggling her body, obviously turned on by Krazar’s kinky game. Krazar really enjoyed what he was doing, but at the same time knew he still had a mission to complete. He didn’t want her to see him put something in the nightstand, and was trying to think of something. His eye caught sight of a scarf hung over a chair. He took it and turned back to the white lady. He unbuttoned the top buttons of her dress, and let his hand slide under the cloth and over her breast. She moaned with excitement, and watched closely as Krazar pulled down the front of his pants and took out his hard cock. She wanted to say something, but Krazar put his other hand on her mouth. “Be quiet, you are mine now and will do as I say”, he pinched her nipple, just hard enough to sting, adding meaning to his words. The white lady nodded and Krazar removed his hand, then used the scarf to blindfold her. She reacted by licking her lips and chattering her teeth at Krazar. Krazar took this moment to quickly place the scroll in the nightstand. He felt a weight lifted of his shoulders, then turned his attention back to the white lady. He caressed her face with the back of his hand, slowly moving down her breasts and stomach. He brusquely pulled up her dress and started rubbing her crotch through her silk underwear. The white lady moaned loudly and moved her pelvis up and down in lust. Krazar jumped on the bed and pulled aside the silk covering her moist vagina. He pulled the top of her dress sideways revealing her well rounded breasts, then slid his manhood into her. It took him roughly ten strokes to climax on his first ever sexual intercourse. He jumped off the bed, while the white lady was still moaning and begging for more. Krazar thought about what to do now. After rearranging his pants, he untied one of her arms, then silently left the room, leaving her to free herself.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
The Mistress moaned as she unintentionally had started to play with herself, watching what Krazar was doing. “Good boy, it pleases me to see you have some of my spirit in you.” She grinned at the image of the white lady tied down to the bed, “This reminds me of your mother, I enjoyed binding her too.” The image of Arlinda being bound and squirming on the floor flashed into her thoughts, causing her to climax at the same time as Krazar. “Now go on and sneak into that city, show me what I need to see.”
Krazar left the estate through the backdoor, making sure he was not noticed. He went back to his school home through the dark narrow alleys of the outer ring. The school was quiet, all had gone to sleep, the lounge only lit by a smoldering fire in the fireplace. He quietly went into the bedroom and stuffed his outfit in his footlocker, then fell fast asleep dreaming of his white lady.
The remainder of the two weeks before meeting with Mister McLovin again passed painstakingly slow. Krazar in his mind had all pieces on the board in position and was dying to make his move. He knew which of the towers belonged to Arch mage Umbroxis, and had studied the layout of the district extensively. He was convinced he would succeed in finding the staff of ancestry, not to steal it, but only to use it on himself to solve the enigma of his reflected green eye.
Krazar double checked if he had taken everything with him needed to complete his mission, then reported again to the beggar, and followed the markings that had been changed. The new route through the sewers eventually led to the same door and his meeting with Mister McLovin. Krazar was complimented on successfully holding up his end of the bargain, and was asked when he would like to access the city’s center. He chose to go late night the same day, under the cover of darkness. He spent the rest of his day at the brothel, but payed no attention to the advances the ‘ladies’ of the house made at him. He mainly sat alone drinking water and replaying his moves in his mind, still worrying about the many blanks and uncertainties he wasn’t able to fill in or rule out. His sense of time was pretty much gone, spending a day underground, when a friendly looking man approached him. “Krazar, right?” the man asked. “That’s me, how can I help you.” The man smiled, “I’m here to help you. Mister McLovin sends you his regards and wishes you luck on your mission. Please follow me.”
They walked a new marked path through the sewers until they reached a big metal grate. “And here we are”, the man said. “Me and my brothers will take turns posting here for the next twenty-four hours. If by then you have nor returned, well, you figure it out.” Krazar simply nodded, adrenalin pumping through his veins, as he felt ready to set out. The man took his key ring and opened the grate, letting Krazar pass through. Neither Krazar or the keykeeper noticed the slight movement of air as The Ginger Cat sneaked in with Krazar.
The city center consisted of five enormous towers standing in a circle around a central tower that reached even higher, all of their spires covered by the low hanging clouds. The streets were empty and eerily silent. Krazar moved swiftly along the outer walls using the cover of darkness to conceal his presence. It took him a mere five minutes to reach the tower of Arch mage Umbroxis the Unveiler. There was no visible door or entry, which was exactly what Krazar was expecting. He took a piece of turf from his pocket and whispered, “Ignato Embris.” The piece of turf started smoldering a thin column of smoke rising into the air. Krazar checked his surroundings then moved from the wall to the tower. He carefully moved along the tower wall keeping a close eye on the smoke. He moved almost three quarters of the way around the tower, when he found what he was looking for. The smoke form the ember disappeared into the solid stone wall. Krazar quickly put out the ember and smiled, “Smart move”, he mumbled complimenting himself. He moved through the illusionary wall and entered the tower’s ground floor. The Ginger Cat followed a minute later.
The Mistress intensely followed Krazar’s every move through her scrying glass form her dark dungeon. She was looking for a sign, something that would confirm her silent hope. She chuckled at the sight of her boy’s sharp wits.
Krazar scanned the dark room, but couldn’t make out much detail. He took a spell scroll he had purchased from one of the local stores and whispered it’s incantation targeting himself. His vision started to change as the spell took hold of him. Krazar was amazed at the effectiveness of this cat eye scroll. He could clearly see his surroundings, though everything was missing the color red. He thought he saw movement on the staircase in the corner of his eye, but dismissed it as a trick of the mind adapting to this new vision. The Ginger Cat had moved up just in time.He quickly inspected the ground floor, knowing the cat eye spell had a limited duration. But did not find what he was looking for. He had seen drawings of the staff of ancestry in the school library. It was made of willow wood, set from top to bottom with emeralds and was topped of by an actual live miniature willow tree. He would know it when he saw it. As Krazar made his way to the staircase he noticed a table covered in paperwork. He noticed a writing that was not completed yet, but had an unfamiliar symbol on the bottom. “Not now Krazar, swallow your curiosity, and focus on your goal”, he mumbled.
The Mistress shuddered as she peeked into her scrying orb. The symbol on the bottom of the paper was exactly what she was hoping to see. She burst into a hideous bone chilling laughter raising her arms and clawing the air. “So it is true, the prophecy is true. The Oracle didn’t mislead me.” She deactivated her scrying orb. “The Darklight are rising, and more powerful already, than I dared dream. Their evil tentacles already run deep within the wizard city.” She laughed again, “Thank you boy, you delivered. Well worth the effort. Now I must prepare. So many things to do, so many paths to walk.” She covered the orb with the cloth, then shouted to her slave, “It is finally time, after all these years, start packing. We are leaving first thing in the morning. My services are required elsewhere.”
Krazar walked up the stairs leading to a room with four doors. He noticed the door farthest to his left was slightly opened, and decided to check there first. As he entered the room he heard something behind him. He turned around and again saw movement by the staircase. He froze in place and held his breath, keeping a close eye on the staircase. Nothing happened, no more sounds or movements. He exhaled and even more careful continued his search, again without the desired result. He left the room, and noticed the door farthest to the right now also was open. He felt cold chills going down his spine, “Someone was here, damnit.” He slowly opened the door and peeked in. It was Umbroxis’ bedroom, the Arch Mage was in his bed sleeping. Without making a sound Krazar stepped in, noticing an opened drawer from the desk to his left. On the far corner of the room, right next to the bed several staffs were standing against the wall, held by clamps. He inched closer, passed the desk and around the corner of the bed. Suddenly Umbroxis snored loudly and mumbled something. Krazar stopped balancing on one foot, not making a single sound. Umbroxis rolled over to his side and lay quiet again. Krazar moved on, and felt a tremendous relief when he identified one of the staffs as the Staff of Ancestry. He reached for it, but at the moment he touched it, suddenly a hollow metallic voice shouted from the left. “Intruder! Intruder! Must warn master!” The sound of metal cogs and gears and a loud clang of metal on stone followed. Krazar looked to his left and saw a twelve foot high metal creature springing to life. “Intruder! Intruder.” Krazar was caught totally by surprise and ran away in panic. He didn’t even notice Umbroxis cowardly hiding under his blanket. Krazar ran down the stairs and back out on the streets as fast as he could. Once outside he stopped for a second, then realized the entire district was on alert. Windows that were dark before started to light up, and several more metallic voices could be heard coming from different directions. Krazar realized he had failed, and really never stood a chance. He cursed himself then raced back to the sewer entry leaving the district behind him in turmoil. He gasped as he reached the grate he passed to enter the district. The same friendly man was still standing there.“Quickly, let me through.”
The man unlocked the grate and let Krazar pass, again neither of them noticing an invisible person moving in with Krazar. “Are you already done in there?”, the man inquired. “Yes damnit”, Krazar angrily replied. “Now take me back and out of these stinking sewers.” The man recognized the anger and decided not to bother Krazar anymore, realizing that whatever he was doing in there, did not go as planned. They hurried back to the brothel entrance, where The Ginger Cat was just about to enter. She looked at Krazar, “Did you find what you were looking for?” Krazar shook his head while regaining some of his calm. “I did not, not this time. I might be back another day for a new contract.” The Ginger Cat clawed the air and purred, “I’m sure you will love, sorry it didn’t work out for you.” Krazar went straight back to his school home. The guards were on high alert and most of them were on their way to the city center. One of the guards addressed Krazar, “Go back inside, a horrible crime has been committed, the streets are off limits for now. Krazar nodded, more than willing to take the guards’ good advice, and went straight to bed when he got home.Krazar decided not to leave the school the next day waiting for things to settle down. In the late afternoon one of the guards visited the school, talking at length to Lili in her office. Krazar’s nerves were killing him fearing he could be arrested at moment. Before the guard left, he put up a pamphlet on the wall next to Lili’s office. Krazar waited until the guard left and anxiously approached the pamphlet. He quickly read its message.
~
Attention citizens,
Last night, in a most foul act of thievery, a Ring of Passage was stolen from Arch Mage Umbroxis the Unveiler’s chambers. The Council of Wizards offers a reward of one thousand gold pieces to anyone providing information, leading to the recovery of the ring and the apprehension of those involved in its disappearance.
If you have any information regarding this crime, please report to your nearest council guard.
Yolrick Hammerhand, High Guard of Amalen.
~
Krazar rejoiced as he realized it wasn’t him they were looking for. Stealing a Ring of Passage was a severe crime. Only Arch Mages possessed a Ring of Passage, allowing them safe access to the center of the city. This ring in the wrong hands posed a great threat to their safety and the secrets kept within their towers.
A few days past and Krazar had laid low, mainly focusing on studying, when early in the morning a group of guards visited the school. Yolrick Hammerhand was leading the platoon of ten guards. The noise had woken Krazar and some students, and they were peeking out the bedroom door to see what was going on. Yolrick waved a scroll and was talking to Lili. Lili pointed at the dormitory, causing the students to hurry back to their beds, as did Krazar. His heart pounded in his throat and he kept whispering to himself, “It wasn’t me, it wasn’t me. Yolrick opened the door to the dormitory and ordered four of his men in. They made their way along the beds their footsteps coming closer and closer to Krazar’s bed. They stopped right next to him, Krazar didn’t dare open his eyes an pretended to be asleep. “This is the one, Sir”, the guard pointed at Krazar. “Excellent, Yolrick replied. “Arrest him and confiscate his footlocker and other belongings. Make sure he does not access his spell book.” Two of the guards dragged Krazar from his bed and the other two took his things, including his spell book. The other students couldn’t believe what was happening and sat in awe on their beds. Krazar was dragged out the dormitory, Lili looking at him in disapproval. Yolrick opened the footlocker and rummaged through it. He held up the raven mask and nodded, than looked deeper in the footlocker. “Aha, and there it is.” He held up a ring, the ring. Krazar felt the earth crumble under his feet and was so surprised he couldn’t say anything. “Throw him in the brig while we get to the bottom of this.”
Yolrick sat at a large half-round table in the great central tower, the five Arch Mages facing him. On the table a number of items were laid out on display. The Ring of Passage, the raven mask, a piece of burned turf, Krazar’s spell book and a scroll. The six men had serious looks on their faces. Yolrick started to speak. “This morning, noble lady Jibella bravely reported to me, claiming to have found this scroll in her house. It’s content written in the handwriting of the suspect. Please compare the writing of the scroll to that of the spell book.” The Arch Mages studied the scroll’s handwriting, then one of them used a powerful incantation to force Krazar’s spell book open, and compared the handwriting. They all came to the same conclusion. The scroll was written by Krazar. Yolrick continued, “Lady Jibella had a masquerade party a few nights ago, where another repulsive act took place. One of the guests tied down and raped Lady Taria, in the bedroom of Lady Jibella. Lady Taria was seen going upstairs with a guest wearing this mask, of which no second exists within the walls of this city. This mask, along with the complementing outfit was found in the footlocker of the suspect, just a s the Ring of Passage, which I will come back to later. After the burglary of Umbroxis tower, this glowing ember was found outside the tower. Umbroxis, will you please compare the incantation used to light this ember, with the incantation written down in the suspect’s spell book.” Arch Mage Umbroxis used a powerful scrying spell, identifying the magical residue on the ember as the result of the spell written in Krazar’s spell book. The arch mages looked at each other and nodded. Yolrick looked the arch mages in the eye one by one. “Now gentlemen, I see before me unmistakable evidence that the suspect is indeed guilty to the crime of stealing the Ring of Passage, though the evidence of the suspect raping poor Lady Tiara is still inconclusive. However, I saved the most convincing and incriminating evidence for last. The actual content of the scroll. Allow me.” Yolrick picked up the scroll and started reading out loud.
~
Dear Father,
Thanks to your support and critical information, our plan is about to come to fruition. Soon I will be able to access the city center, and will attempt to retrieve a Ring of Passage. Too long have you been denied access to the Council of Wizards, your time of revenge is at hand. I can’t wait to meet you again, and offer you the Ring of Passage as token of my love and devotion to your burning wish.
Together we will dethrone the Arch Mages of Amalen, and disband the ill institution of this Council of Wizards, or charlatans, as you like to call them. Together we will make the name Graxar sound in the halls of Amalen again. Its people will respect you as you deserve. And I will be by your side forever.
Love Krazar.
~
“My dear mages, I think we have all the evidence we need to exert judgement on this foul traitor. What say you?” The Arch Mages debated the evidence before them in silence, communicating telepathically. After a few minutes Umbroxis spoke, “In the light of this evidence we hold the suspect guilty on the account of treachery, plotting against our institution and thievery. We consider the charges of rape unfounded. Please bring the suspect to us.
Yolrick hastily left the room and ordered Krazar to be taken from his cell before the Arch Mages. Krazar was cuffed and placed on a chair in front of the Arch Mages. Umbroxis explained to him the charges and how the evidence led them to the conclusion of his sentence. Krazar listened in silence as his mind began to understand the web of deceit that had been spun around him. He realized he could not say anything in his defense, because there was no proof to back any of the claims he would make, and telling them he was actually after the Staff of Ancestry would only worsen his case. He felt bitter defeat and a deep hate for Mister McLovin, The Ginger Cat and Lady Jibella, who had all conspired against him. He loathed at the thought of those three celebrating their victory with a chest containing a thousand gold pieces, but was powerless to do anything about this.
Umbroxis finished his explanation, and looked deeply into Krazar’s eyes. “Do you have anything to say in your defense? .” Krazar shook his head and looked at his feet, knowing he was about to lose his dream of becoming a council wizard, and maybe even lose his life. Umbroxis cleared his throat, “Then I will now read to you your sentence for the crimes you committed. Normally the sentence would be death by hanging.” Krazar trembled at the thought. “But seeing how the suspect has not reached the age of eighteen yet, this sentence is unfortunately not allowed by our laws. Therefore the defendant will be stripped of all belongings given to him by the Council of Wizards. His spell book will be cleared of any spells provided to him by the Council of Wizards and the defendant will be banished from Amalen for the rest of his life. Should he return the defendant will be executed without further trial. Now please take him out of my sight.”
Krazar was kept in a cell for one more night as Arch Mage Umbroxis cleared his spell book, leaving just a few spells that were not provided by the Council of Wizards. The next day, early in the morning Krazar was taken from his cell. He was given back his spell book, and the few coins he had earned himself. His wizard’s robe was confiscated leaving him with only the simple clothes he was wearing. He was taken to the city’s outer gate, and literally thrown out. He crawled up, took his coin purse and spell book, and left the raven outfit at the gate, to be scattered to the wind. He started descending the hills, heading towards the sea. He looked back one more time at the city, but could no longer see its beauty. Krazar realized he could not go back to his father. He felt too ashamed and knew it would break the man’s heart. He decided it would be best to make his way to the mainland, and find some way to redeem himself, even if it was only for his own wellbeing. He felt the need to do something so great and noble, so his father would forgive his folly.
He used up the last of his coins to pay for passage to the mainland on a merchant ship, and a few basic things travelers need. A backpack, flint and steel and a bedroll. He leaned on the ship’s railing, watching Amalen, the island and his true home slowly rolling away. A tear rolled down his cheek as he feared he might never come back there. He could only pray his father wouldn’t be tracked down and arrested for conspiring with him. He felt utterly hopeless when he overheard a conversation between two of the shipmates. They were discussing a great disturbance and a King’s decree. Krazar approached the sailors. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but what were you talking about? .” “See for yourself”, one of the sailors replied, handing Krazar a scroll. Krazar opened the scroll and started reading.
~
‘By royal decree King Khalid el Abdhul has called for aid in a matter of the utmost importance concerning the welfare of the kingdom. Those willing to serve under the king’s name are charged to report to the Swift Foot inn at the commoners district of the Jewel of the North. Further instructions will be given upon reporting to the Kings guard in aforementioned establishment. Travel expenses for those that answer will be compensated.
In name of his Royal Highness, King Khalid el Abdhul
Shin, head of household.
~
Krazar’s defeated look changed to a slight smile. “Well, there is a situation in which a young wizard like myself might be of help, once I get to the mainland I will hurry to the Swift Foot Inn”, he decided. He moved to the front of the ship turning his back on Amalen, and facing his future.