Heart racing. Alden cautiously emerged from his hiding place. The room was silent except for the faint sound of rustling leaves outside the window. He surveyed the room, captivated by the sight of wooden shelves brimming with books and scrolls, each a potential gateway to his future. The shelves were carved with intricate patterns of vines and mythical creatures, enhancing the room's mystique. Sunlight, filtered through the enchanted chandelier, cast dancing shadows on the walls, transforming the room into a magical, almost ethereal space. The thick rug muffled his steps as he approached the nearest shelf.
His purpose was clear, find a book that would help him learn Elarian, the tongue of the land. His eyes scoured the titles, searching for anything that might be a primer or a dictionary. Many titles were written in Elarian script, further complicating his task.
His search was finally rewarded. A slim, volume caught his eye, bound in soft, dark leather with a gold-embossed title, almost worn away by time. Alden carefully pulled the book from the shelf and settled on the rug. Yellowed with age, the pages were filled with basic vocabulary, phrases, and simple grammar rules, each adorned with delicate illustrations.
With anticipation, Alden opened the book, his tiny fingers tracing the unfamiliar characters. Alden found himself captivated by the intricate script and beautiful illustrations. The book was divided into sections, each one building on the last. The first section focused on the alphabet, with each letter accompanied by a picture of something that started with that letter. He spent a long time on these pages, meticulously committing each letter to memory.
Next, he moved on to basic vocabulary. The book provided common words and phrases, each with a simple illustration. He whispered the new words to himself, his voice gaining strength with each repetition. He could feel the language taking hold, each new word a step closer to fluency.
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Time slipped away unnoticed as Alden immersed himself in his studies. The language was complex but fascinating, and he found himself eager to learn more. His progress was slow, but each new word and phrase was a step closer to understanding and communication.
The sound of footsteps approaching the study startled him out of his concentration. Quickly, he closed the book and tucked it under his arm. He tiptoed to the door, listening carefully. The footsteps grew louder, and he knew he had to leave before being discovered. He slipped out of the room and hurried down the corridor, making his way back to his bedroom.
Once safely inside, he hid the book under his mattress and climbed onto his bed. His mind buzzed with excitement. Learning Elarian was just the first step in his journey. With language as a tool, he could delve deeper into the mysteries of this world.
At dinner, Alden was quieter than usual, his thoughts occupied by the new knowledge he had gained. His parents and Augustus discussed their day, but he only half-listened, his mind replaying the Elarian words and phrases he had learned. When the meal finally ended, he was taken back to his room. The moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a silver glow over his room, making it almost magical.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Alden retrieved the hidden book. As the night wore on, he practiced determined to master the language. He knew that understanding Elarian was crucial to unlocking the secrets of this world. His eyes grew heavy, but he pushed on, driven by the promise of discovery.
When he finally drifted off to sleep, his dreams were filled with images of mages casting their spells, knights training in elaborate combat manoeuvres, alchemists creating potions that glowed with colourful lights, and the promise of a future he could shape with his newfound knowledge.