The room was impossible. A huge dome of rainbow-stained glass covered part of the ceiling, shedding brilliant sunlight in a million colours flashing and dancing around the room. Under the dome sat a vast circular desk, strewn with papers and files and the space between containing only one chair, a huge throne-like piece which now remained empty.
Outside from the dome, there were shelves. They were gleaming wood, polished to a shine, burning gold in the sunlight. They were full of books, organised and tidy and gleaming leather-bound wonders. The shelves ran in spirals, spreading out into a space so vast it took Sophie’s breath away.
“Like it?” Celia grinned.
Sophie could only nod.
“This is where I like to spend my time. Chrysanthemum doesn’t mind me.”
“Who’s Chrysanthemum?” Sophie frowned.
“Librarian and Curator of the Society Museum,” Celia smiled. “She doesn’t like very many people. But she’ll tolerate me. Now, you wanted an explanation?”
Sophie nodded, still stunned.
“Righty-ho,” Celia stabbed a finger in front of her. “Onwards! To my favourite armchair!”
Celia sat back in a winged armchair in a small alcove. Sophie dragged a wooden chair opposite her and sat down, waiting expectantly.
“Ok….” Celia mused. “Where to begin?”
“At the beginning?” Sophie suggested.
“At the beginning? Alright, then. In the beginning, the world was born….” Celia broke off, seeing Sophie’s expression. “Ok, we’ll start at the Dark Ages.”
“Good-oh,” Sophie tried to sound enthusiastic at this unexpected history lesson.
Celia smiled apologetically. “I promise it will make sense.”
“Yay.”
“And it will be as brief as I can make it.”
“Yay.”
Celia rolled her eyes. “Back in the Dark Ages, sorcerers and witches and wizards of all kinds were still publically known in the world. As were mythical creatures: dragons, unicorns, griffins, firebirds, pegasi….”
“Are you being serious?” Sophie stared. “Pegasi?”
Celia nodded. “Yup. Magical beings lived alongside mortals, unashamed of their talents. They controlled fates, however. They grew too powerful. Power corrupts, you know? And a lot of very powerful magic was corrupting a lot of people.
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The Necromancer Trilogy: Prophecy
الخيال (فانتازيا)Since the Dark Ages, the world of magic has been carefully concealed from mortal eyes. Yet that careful world is about to be overturned. The Necromancers, a dangerous cult exiled from the magical community, have a prophecy. It tells of the Night Pr...
