Page 23 of Charmed
I rubbed my weary eyes and glanced up at the sky, now blanketed with velvety night, a testament of the hours that had melted away as I’d worked on the map. The directions themselves were thankfully straightforward; the portal to the competition would be easy to create after a night’s rest, which would allow me to arrive in time for morning’s deadline. However, there was still the matter of the first task.
I suppressed a yawn as I set the map aside and picked up the second blank parchment that the invitation had included, this one detailing the instructions for the charm I was to present in order to earn a place in the competition. Solving the map puzzle had acted as a trigger, causing inky words written in one of the trickier sets of ancient runes to surface.
I groaned. “Of course there is more to solve.” The pain pulsing at my temples sharpened at the overwhelming thought.
I sought the assistance of my spellbook for a translation guide, but the several hours of cooperation it’d already rendered seemed to have been too much for it; rather than continue its docile aid, it became aflutter, swooping frantically around the frog still resting nearby.
“Please, I’m trying to concentrate.” Only my weariness softened the snapping retort I ached to give.
The spellbook slumped in defeat, but I paid it little mind as I focused on the riddle. Concentration was already difficult when the nearby frog kept croaking, rather loudly and persistently, as if trying to direct my attention towards it, a sound almost as annoying as my apprentice’s frequent humming.
The message was arduous to translate due to my unfamiliarity with some of the more archaic runes, but thankfully it was short. After forty minutes of frequent consulting of both the spellbook’s translation key and my own knowledge of the principles behind the grammar of ancient runes, I had deciphered the contents of the first task:
Entrance into the trials can only be secured with an enchanted object of one’s own creation that possesses three unique charms.
Despite the basic instructions, I read through it several times to ensure I fully understood. “So the first task is to successfully enchant an object.” It was so elementary as to be almost disappointing, but the true challenges would undoubtedly soon follow.
The spellbook perked up at these words and began another frantic dance, using its pages to gesture towards itself in plain invitation.
“I can’t use you; you’re already enchanted.”
Its persistence to the idea remained, ruffling as if to say,no one will know that.
“ButIwill. I could never earn such a prestigious position through such dishonest means.”
It wasn’t much different than having done nothing to earn the right to be born as a prince…except being the unfortunate product of fate’s cruel work behind the scenes.
“I want to earn my position on my own merits. It’s one thing to use you to reference information I’ve previously studied, but I’m not the one who enchanted you and I refuse to pretend otherwise.” I gave the spellbook a stern look that caused it to once more droop with disappointment.
Though I knew I’d made the correct decision, apprehension prickled at the thought that without using the spellbook, I had nothing on hand with which to enchant…and I only had a few hours remaining to find something.
I ignored the spellbook’s frantic motioning towards the nearby frog that for some indiscernible reason had not yet hopped away to do whatever frogs did at this time of night and paced the clearing with agitated steps, my summoned light following me like a shadow. I used its illumination to cast my desperate gaze around the night-shrouded forest for any inspiration of what I could enchant instead…but there was nothing. The longer I searched without capturing an idea, the more tempting my spellbook’s offer became.
I forced the seductive thought away.No, Alden.You will earn your position without resorting to cheating. But the temptation grew stronger the longer I failed to discover another solution, repeatedly drawing my gaze towards the spellbook.
Its enchantment was quite impressive—not only had it been charmed to be sentient, but it’d been given a personality of its own and an ability to house as much knowledge as one ever needed. Claiming it as my own would definitely earn me the position I desired. I could always use it with the vow to submit my own work in the future challenges…
I gave my head another rigid shake. “No, you mustn’t cheat.” The words echoed through the empty clearing, as if the surrounding magic agreed with my noble declaration and was determined to help me stay the honorable course.
When I failed to notice anything worth enchanting on my own, I gathered a handful of magic into a ball of light and directed it to search instead. It investigated every inch of the clearing, pausing to hover above the frog, which had long since stopped croaking, as if exhausted by the repeated effort. It’d been following my pacing for quite some time now, drawn to my magic…as if it possessed some of its own.
I crouched in front of it and reached out a tentative hand to test the air around it. I didn’t expect to discern anything, so I was quite surprised when the air surrounding the frog tingled with magical energy, pulsating against my own powers with almost as much intensity as the spellbook did whenever in close proximity.
Hmm, intriguing.
There was no clear rhyme or reason to the objects or beings magic chose to attach itself to. While it was usually people who had the ability to wield it, occasionally it connected itself to other living creatures who possessed an affinity for it…not that a frog would be able to use its power; the most it could offer magic would be the position of a host.
If this frogwasenchanted, it would provide a solid foundation for any spell I cast upon it, which would make it easier to create the enchanted object the competition required, even with my exhausted powers. Despite this fortuitous find, I hesitated. An enchanted frog was a rather cliché choice that wouldn’t help me stand out…yet I currently had no other options; it was better than havingnothingto offer for my entrance charm.
With a reluctant sigh I picked up the frog and rested it on my palm; the magic clinging to its skin tingled as it made contact with my own, a promising sign. The frog stiffened but made no motion to hop away, simply stared at me with deep brown, almost curious eyes that were somehow familiar, even if I couldn’t pinpoint why.
Through the exhaustion smothering my senses I struggled to summon my creativity. After several vain attempts to come up with an interesting spell, I settled for casting the obvious choice—to enchant the frog to speak, which would take care of one of the three charms required.
The intermediate spell required me to weave together not simply the concept of words, but a thread of comprehension so that the frog would not only understand me, but would possess the skill necessary to articulate its own thoughts.
I wove these threads together as tightly as I could before connecting it to my gathered magic surrounding the frog, being careful to cover its every surface before completing the spell. The frog’s eyes bulged as it began to glow, but it remained still, allowing the charm to work its magic upon it. I waited with bated breath when the glistening light faded, hoping that even with my exhaustion, I’d possessed enough skill for the spell to work.
After a long pause, the frog opened its mouth…and began to speak.
