Sorvina, a young mage, was speaking words in the Old Language. All spells were written in the Old Language, and while no one knew what the words meant, they all knew what they did. The spell Sorvina was trying to work would create a beam of light, which could be used for many purposes. Such as seeing in the dark when exploring, or blinding enemies in battle.

Sorvina stopped in the middle of the incantation. () She had forgotten the rest of the spell. “Oh well. All I have to do is find the book that the spell is in. Easy.” Sorvina walked over to the small bookshelf in her room, and started looking through her spell books. After looking through all of them, and not finding the spell in question, Sorvina crossed her arms in thought. ()

Sorvina suddenly had an idea. “Of course! I remember now. I read it in a book at the castle when I was studying there. But, how will I get into the castle? I may not be permitted entry…” Sorvina trailed off, thinking. She would find a way, and it wouldn’t be illegal. She hoped.

Now I’m sure some of the readers are thinking, “Why doesn’t she just go find a different spell to work on, and drop that one?” Well, dear readers, if you knew Sorvina like so many others did, you would know that when she had set her mind to something, she got it done. And if she didn’t at least try as hard as she could, she would indeed go insane.

Sorvina’s first idea was very simple. Simply ask to gain entrance into the castle library. She wouldn’t mind being accompanied by guards, and that was sure to mean something. So, Sorvina decided she would go to the castle, unarmed, and ask for entry into the library. Sorvina stepped out her door, and began the trek to the castle.

When Sorvina reached the castle, she approached one of the guards stationed at the doors. “Excuse me,” she said. “But, I was wondering if I could be granted access into the library. My name is Sorvina Rayens; I studied here at one time, under Master Malvus.” (Sorvina did indeed once study under a master mage named Malvus, but he is not important in this story, and therefore, we will speak no more of him.)

The guard looked at her. “No one is permitted entry into the palace unless accompanied by a guard,” he said.

“I am willing to be accompanied by a guard. I am also unarmed,” replied Sorvina.

“I will send for a guard to accompany you,” said the guard. “But you must be searched.”

Sorvina nodded.

After a few minutes, Sorvina had been searched, and a guard had arrived to lead her to the library. She was now being lead up stairs and through hallways that she wasn’t familiar with, until they finally reached the Library. The guard opened the door, and Sorvina followed him into the room.

The library was rather large, and filled with tables and bookshelves, which were in turn filled with books. Sorvina was amazed; the library had grown much in size since Sorvina had been there last.

“You know what you’re looking for. Find it,” said the guard. Sorvina nodded, and started browsing the shelves. The guard followed her, to make sure she didn’t try anything funny.

Finally, she found the book she was looking for. She pulled it off the shelf, carefully, and sat down at a nearby table. She opened the book, found the page she needed, and copied the incantation on a piece of paper she had brought with her. When she was finished, the replaced the book, and turned to the guard.

“My business is finished here,” she said. The guard nodded, and led her back to the doors. Sorvina exited the castle, and made her way back home, to practice the spell.

“Hush,” said the Host. “I am getting weary of this.”

HERE ENDS THE AURHORESS’S TALE.