Chapter 24 Aisha
Aisha busied herself in the study of the second volume of the Mystic Fundamentals. It was part of a series of books outlining the basics of magic and how one could harness it. She needed to bring something to read so that Revik would continue to hold her in high regard. It was her constant desire to please her teacher above all.
Yet the sign in the sky she saw that evening still baffled her. Aisha did not expect that she would witness such an event during her stay in Torinth. But she felt comforted that she was with her teacher when it happened. Revik did not seem to be alarmed by it so why should she be? She told herself.
Aisha wondered where her teacher was so she went about the house in search of him. She saw Beret keeping the shop keeper company while they both looked after the latter’s very ill wife. Beret appeared to be trying his best to give the shop keeper some encouragement.
Aisha went down a set of stairs that led to the basement. At the bottom of the stairs she could see a flickering light. Perhaps a lit lantern, she thought. The musty smell of the room below greeted her. It would seem that Durem hardly went down here.
She took each step quietly as she descended. Her teacher might be down here doing something important, she thought. She did not wish to disturb him.
Upon surveying the room, Revik was nowhere to be seen. A table and a chair were at one side of the chamber. A lantern was placed on top of the table, which illuminated half of the room. Beside it was a thick book which looked very old. It was open and she could see what was written on the pages. It spoke of magical relics that were crafted millennia ago back when the different towers of magic coexisted in harmony. It went on to say that the leaders of the different towers would gather together and imbue certain artifacts with the magic they harnessed from the different realms of arcane lore. A number of tomes and other mystical ornaments were listed. Sketches of each item were drawn in the book.
As she read more, her curiosity grew and she could not resist turning the pages. Loose pieces of parchment were inserted between the pages. There was writing on them as well. She recognized the handwriting of his teacher. It appeared to her that Revik was trying to trace the location of each of the relics. Chronological accounts of who came into their possession were outlined. Some ended with the location where certain relics were lost. But her teacher appears to have located a few of them. A separate parchment revealed a map that indicated their possible whereabouts. Teacher must be searching for these, Aisha thought.
Just as she was about to turn another page, a door opened in the darkened half of the basement chamber. She did not notice that a door was there which was hidden in the shadows. Revik emerged from the doorway. Aisha hurriedly returned the pieces of parchment. She then turned around trying to conceal the book with her body.
“Teacher!” Aisha exclaimed. “I was looking everywhere for you.”
Aisha smiled at him bashfully.
As Revik closed the door behind him, he stared at her without speaking. The long silent moments made Aisha feel awkward.
“So, did you learn anything new from the book behind you?” Revik asked.
Aisha’s gaze fell to the floor. “I’m sorry, teacher,” Aisha said.
Revik continued appearing not to have heard Aisha’s apology.
“I am in search of magical relics that may aid me in the greater mastery of the arcane,” he said. “Would you like to know what I have discovered?”
“Yes teacher!” Aisha replied in excitement. “Let me tell you,” Revik replied.