The light of the triplet moons shone through the street drainage spaces just like every night the clouds are at bay. They usually provided him with enough light to do whatever he needed before he would make his way into the large heap of hay he called a bed. It poked him every so often but it did the job of getting him to sleep pretty well. The horses from the local stable he stole the hay from have plenty to use. Surely no one would miss it. The same excuse he used for almost all of his thefts.
Erzo removed a small, blue leather coin purse he stole earlier that year from an old woman. He justified the theft because she was asleep from drinking too much. She probably didn’t know she owned it or she took it from someone else. From the purse, he pulled out an even smaller blue and silver brooch. The brooch had a platinum etching of the royal leviathan. A creature of immense power, second to none other than the mighty dragon. The seal on the back was of the royal crown and embroidered with small rubies. He clasped it tightly in both hands and brought it up to his chest. The hay began to feel warm and his tensed body relaxed.
Comfort swept over him as the memories of his mother came to life in his mind. He could touch her silky brown hair and smell the orchids from the nape of her neck as he always did when he was younger. Her embrace was everything. It didn’t take long for him to fall asleep with a wide smile across his still-swollen face.
When Erzo awoke the next morning, his body writhed in agony. His muscles rejected the very notion of movement. He made an attempt to move his arm but the muscles contracted and cramped. He quickly grabbed it with his other arm.
Maybe staying in bed a little longer would be the only choice for a while, he thought.
Moments later, Erzo heard a crash and yelling coming from the streets.
“You bastard! You spent all of our money for a new horse and wagon on a book!?”
The high-pitched squeal from a woman gripped his attention. Quickly, Erzo forgot about his pain and grabbed an old box, and placed it next to the wall. He was taught not to eavesdrop but without his mother around to scold him, he couldn’t resist. He pressed his ear against the cold, damp wall, closest to the drainage hole.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Honey, I am sorry but think of what we could do with this,” the other pleaded. “The owner of the shop said I had a gift and that this book is special for some reason. This store is legendary, you know? So why not take the deal?”
“Of course, he said that you fool! He got you to buy his most expensive book and one you cannot even open! You’re not a naturalist and you certainly do not have an affinity for magic. So what could you possibly do with it?” She was yelling now and the high pitch of her voice made Erzo hesitate to continue listening. He looked down towards the ground feeling some form of discomfort. But this conversation was so entertaining, he found himself still attempting to press closer against the wall.
I wonder why he couldn’t open the book. Could there be a key?
It sounded like mere muffles, but could not hear what the man said in response. Following the muffles, a series of sharp slapping noises pierced the air.
Erzo flinched, Ouch…that had to hurt.
A few things seemed to crash all around the area. It sounded like dishware, but soon after, there was little noise to be heard.
Hmm, I guess the party’s over.
Erzo stepped off of the box and began to walk away from the wall. A dim whistle caught his attention followed by a heavy thud to the back of his head. It felt like a jolt of electricity surged through his spine. His knees buckled from the impact and his wounded face collided with the floor. It was most ungraceful, to say the least.
Erzo’s usual green eyes flickered and grew brighter in his sudden frustration. A hue that would have only seemed more likely if the sun’s reflection hit his irises just right. His pupils dilated and adjusted. The glint in his eyes subsided, but it was quickly replaced with a searing headache.
With his head swaying, Erzo looked around to see what hit him; nothing more than a brown leather book it would seem. A very large book indeed. Though he half expected the object would have been much more solid and dense. Like an iron kettle.
Something about the book seemed off. Different. Of course, it could have been his throbbing head playing tricks.
He squinted his eyes. The more Erzo investigated the book, the more he thought he could see something. Eyes locked, he scrunched his nose and drew a little closer. Some kind of thinly veiled fog spewed from between the book’s pages. The moment he realized, his eyes grew wide with anticipation. His body slowly moved him backward against his curious nature.
Before he knew it, his back was pressed against the musty wall. All he could do was stare at the book as it lay in front of him. And yet, as strange as the book was, Erzo found himself oddly comforted by it. Something familiar. A feeling perhaps. He had never seen such a book before, nor any of the strange markings that were engraved into the hardcover design. He blinked and detached himself from the wall to move closer. Cautious and quiet.
The closer he became, the stronger the familiar feeling. As if it was compelling Erzo to commune inside the dark cloud with it.
Discord that will explore the reaches beyond the book and tap into the world I made - I would love for you and your friends to join. Everything from the top, down will be there (like my other links very soon - I am coding a bot to handle this).
