by T Ariyanna
Snow took to the sky immediately, and led the way through the trees. He flew low and swerved around the branches so Arion could follow. Arion chased after him, a sinking feeling in his gut.
Arion glanced back at the castle just before it was swallowed up by the trees. Vines had covered it once again, and the gates were locked. It was as though he’d never been there.
When they broke through the trees, they were behind Arion's house. The sun had just started its descent through the sky.
“How long was I gone?” he asked. Snow darted for the house, and returned moments later, Tome clutched in his small claws. It was dropped into Arion's hands, shaking from the flight. Arion soothed Tome, and tucked it in his arms with the music box.
“Now how do I get in?” he mused aloud. Snow was in his face in an instant. The owl whirled around him, pushing him in every direction other than the house. Arion shoved him away, steadying himself through the dizziness.
Snow looked at him and cocked his head, his brow furrowing. “I had to come back,” Arion muttered. “I don't have anywhere else to go.”
Snow smacked a wing across his face. Though it was a light hit, it stunned him.
“You're the one that brought me back here in the first place!” Arion yelled. “Where do you want me to go, huh? No one else will take me! The village hates me, and the book said other Mages would try to kill me. My father might be a drunk, but he's not a killer! He’s all I've got!”
Snow darted back towards the direction of the castle, though it seemed like a last resort. “Oh no, I'm not going back in there. Who knows what lives there, and what it would do if it caught me? I'm not taking that chance; I've heard enough stories to know an evil castle when I see one. Look, everything's out to kill me, okay? I get it. I'm just going to pick the one that seems the most reluctant to do so. I'm sure I can think of some way to get through to him. I could talk to him, reason with him…”
He trailed off at the look on Snow's face. It held the same sadness that was on Tuft's when he left. There was something they knew. Arion could feel it. But he knew they wouldn't tell him, even if they could. Arion turned toward the house.
Snow fluttered his wings in Arion's face, stopping him. Snow weaved and bobbed in the air, trying to get Arion to understand. The owl lunged for his hand and ripped the glove from it. He pecked at the bolt, but Arion yanked it away.
He snatched his glove from Snow's beak, gaining a chorus of disapproval. “You don't want me here, and you obviously didn't want me at the castle, so what gives? If you don't tell me what's going on, then you might as well just leave!” He glanced back at the house, but there was no sign of life. He let out a breath and turned back to Snow.
The owl was hovering perfectly still in front of Arion, but his gaze was fixed on something else. The bird stared at the music box tucked under his arm, somehow just noticing it. Arion couldn't comprehend the emotions on the owl’s face, but he got the feeling that they weren't good.
Just as Arion was about to ask Snow what was wrong, he dove towards the box. The owl hit it with his full weight and knocked it and Tome from Arion's grip. Arion lunged for it, throwing his body on top of the box. Snow pecked at any opening, but he found few. He tried to pull Arion away, and pecked at his fingers. Anything to make the boy let go.
“Leave me alone! It's Mom's, and you can't have it! Just go away!” Arion swatted the bird from the air, and heard a faint crack as the owl landed on his wing. Arion went to Snow's side. He reached for the wing, but the owl snapped at him, drawing blood. Snow took to the sky, flying away as best as he could.
Arion pulled the music box in his lap and held it close as he watched the bird go. Tome hopped to him, propping itself up on his side. The day had ended by the time Snow was out of sight, and Arion looked to the house. There was one light left, and a shadow moving behind the window. “Not much longer now,” he whispered, stroking the box.
“Dammit!” Arion cursed under his breath as he fell from the wall of the house for the fifth time. The music box slipped from his grip, and the lid popped open. The smoke within the ball swirled enthusiastically. Arion stared longingly at his bedroom window. He had scaled the house a few times before, though with much difficulty. It was impossible to climb while trying to carry the box, and he feared that if he lost it from his sight, it would cease to exist. Tome was hovering in the air beside him, following as he climbed and fell.
He sighed as he accepted what he had to do. He tucked the box in his left armpit, and ripped the gloves from his hands. He stuffed them in his pockets, and then rubbed his hands together. He thought of the first spell he had learned from the book, that of levitation. He pictured himself being lifted to the window.
He spread his fingers out and faced his palms to the ground. He whispered the spell to himself, over and over. His eyes never moved from the window, and his focus cracked when it got a little closer. He fell back down to the ground and cursed himself. “Focus, Arion, focus!”
He started over, eyes shut this time. His stance was perfect, and the spell had turned into a monotone chant on his lips. He held his left hand in front of him. His right hand burned so hot, he twitched, but he didn’t mind it.
His left hand bumped into the sill, and his eyes shot open. He desperately grabbed for the ledge as he started to fall, and carefully set the box on the edge. He pushed the window open with his free hand, throwing the box into the room. He pulled himself through the opening, collapsing on the bed.
He rolled off and searched for the box in the darkness. He wasn't allowed a candle in his room…his father had always made him face his monsters. Arion found the box against the wall across from the window, and went back to his bed.
Tome had flown through the window behind him and settled on the bed, out of energy. Just like himself, the book was getting stronger as well. It ruffled on the bed as though sighing, but Arion doubted it needed to breathe.
Setting the box next to the book, he addressed Tome. He opened the book to a random page near the middle and whispered, “You got any ideas in here on how to fix things?”
There was no answer, and Arion slouched back onto his hands. He sighed. “Didn't think so. Magic can't change people. Especially not someone as stubborn as him.”
He laid back against the pillow, his arms sprawled out above his head. Tome's pages began turning slowly, though each page turn was hesitant. It flipped back and forth, indecisive. Arion skimmed each page it paused on, wondering what the book was looking for.
After a moment, a large section of the book flipped in one big huff. Dust scattered around, and Arion coughed. He swatted the dust from his face and peered at the book. He couldn't tell what section it was in, but everything on the page was written in red ink. He ran his fingers over it carefully, trying to find what the book was showing him.
“Forgetting,” he whispered. “I can make him forget everything.”
Arion sat in awe for a moment, contemplating the possibilities. “He'll never forget how much he hates me, though, so what's the point?”
He glanced at the box and pulled it into his lap. Arion opened it and watched the smoke swirl inside the glass ball. It was almost still, with how calm it was now. He touched the glass, and the smoke rushed to his touch. It spun in tight circles, and pulsed with dim colors.
“I have to try something. Right?” he whispered. The smoke sped up its pace a moment, and Arion thought it was pushing against the glass. Arion nodded, shut the lid abruptly, and set to studying the spell before him.
It had a ritual to it. You had to write down everything you wanted the person to forget, then put the paper on their head as you said the spell. Arion scrambled through the book and found an empty page at the end, where his mother had wanted him to write his own story.
“Sorry,” he whispered as he ripped the paper from the book. He turned back to the page with the forgetting spell and set the paper down in front of him, only to remember he didn't have a quill, or ink.
He
muttered to himself. “I just want him to forget the urn, and the clock. I want him to forget all those things he said, and that I ran away! I don't care if he loves me! I just want somewhere I can be safe. At least, as safe as I was before all of this crazy magic stuff happened!”
Arion threw his hands into the air above him. His eyes wandered to the paper, and found it full of words. He read it over and over. It had copied every word he had just said, perfectly. He clutched it in his hands and read it again.
“Maybe magic can do anything,” he said. “It won't fix everything, but it's a start.”
He read over the incantation one last time, then darted for the door. He crept down the stairs quietly, towards the living room. His father's room wasn't far off, but a glint of light caught his attention. He crawled to it and pawed it out of the darkness. Hidden in a corner was the locket he’d made with his mother's picture.
He set it in his pocket, nesting it within his gloves, and set out to find his sleeping father with a renewed bitterness. The door had been left open, and loud snoring floated out to Arion. He walked into the room and stood at the edge of his father's bed.
Kole’s wrinkled face was relaxed, Arion almost doubted this was the same man that only ever felt anger. He remembered the tears Kole had cried the last time he had seen him, and almost turned away. He shook the doubt from his head. I made this choice. Now I have to stick to it.
He tightened his hand on the paper before gently laying it across Kole’s forehead. In an eerie voice that scared even himself, Arion cast the spell.
“From minds overfilled to minds undone, I cast this spell to make them as one. Lose your dreams, your secret reveries. Forfeit yourself, your sanity, your memories!”
The paper caught fire in the center, and burnt itself to nothing. Arion’s eyes lit with the fire. He couldn't place what he was feeling, but there was no fear in him. He relished in the realization that he had power.
His father's forehead was completely untouched by the fire, save for a small red mark that Arion was sure would fade by morning.
As soon as his work was done, Arion rushed back to his room. He tucked the music box and his spell tome under his bed, as far back against the wall as he could manage. He pulled his gloves back on and settled himself on his bed. Pulling the locket from his pocket, his weariness finally caught up with him.
“I'm going to find you, Mom. I promise,” he whispered. He fell into the most peaceful sleep he had had in weeks, clutching the picture of his mother to his chest.
Chapter 5
Arion leaned against the large tree at the edge of the schoolyard. Screams and laughter of his classmates drifted over to him, but he ignored them. Though school had become dangerous since he had gained Kraven's attention, he still preferred it to being at home.
It had been a week since he had returned from the castle. He had ventured near the forest a few times, wondering what other secrets it held, but it had only grown more treacherous. Wolves paced just within the edges of the forest, and the trees had grown closer together to prevent him from getting too far, even when he could avoid the wolves. There was no returning to the castle. He had missed his chance.
Now he spent most of his time hiding outside the school, waiting for the second half of the classes to begin. Father barely noticed he was missing, and had rarely acknowledged him since he had cast the spell on him. He had taken another job a few days ago, and there was no telling when he would return this time.
“What d'you got there?”
Arion clenched his hand with a start, and the small tornado he had been creating dissipated. He stood up and moved away from the tree to face the person who had found him, and stopped.
Standing beside the tree was the girl that had scared Kraven away a few days before. Her bright blue dress was ruffled and bunched in a few places, and her white shoes were covered in dirt. Her cheeks were flushed, and a book was clutched in her arms. He had never seen her without one.
I know her, he told himself. She's in my class.
Arion took a step away, but said nothing. Her smile was glued to her face. “What are you doing all the way out here?” she asked.
Arion shook his head. “What do you want?” He tried to sound intimidating, but his voice was a mere squeak. He turned away, hiding the blush upon his cheeks.
“I just want to talk. You looked so lonely over here. Are you okay?”
His hand twitched at her last question. She made Kraven leave me alone, but so what? Why is she here now?
“You should leave it that way. You don't want him to catch you with me,” Arion whispered. He glanced to the playground with the rest of the kids. Once he spotted Kraven, he shuffled around the tree to stay out of sight.
“I'm not scared of him,” the girl huffed. She puffed out her chest and threw her hands on her hips. Then she jutted her hand in front of her. “I'm Kaitlyn.”
“I know,” Arion said, staring at her hand until she put it down. He stayed silent, watching her shift uncomfortably. She put her hands behind her back and kicked at the loose dirt. Why won't she leave?
“I know everyone in class. I have to,” Arion said, compelled to break the awkward silence.
She turned her face back up to him, her eyes wide. “Why do you…” she started, but realization cut her off. “You have to know who's on his side.”
It wasn't a question, but he nodded anyway. “So what do you want?” he asked again, hiding his hands behind his back.
“I told you. I want to know what you have in your hand.”
Arion began to shake his head, but she spoke again before he needed to. “I'll go first then.”
She reached into a small pocket on the side of her dress, and Arion found himself curious. What could she have that she thinks would make me trust her?
She held her hands out in front of her, fists closed to hide what she was holding. Arion took a small step forward, leaning closer to her hands. “What is it?”
A small lizard popped its head out from her hands, startling him. He fell down to the ground and the lizard crawled over her hands to stare down at him. Kaitlyn giggled, shaking the lizard lightly. It was a small thing, and bright blue. Its green tongue lashed out to taste the air. Dark blue spots and diamonds covered its back and the tip of its tail.
The lizard wrapped its tail around Kaitlyn's finger and fell to dangle in front of her hands. Arion reached a finger out to touch it. It recoiled away, hissing. A large fan spread out from its neck, with dark blue stripes upon it. The lizard turned and climbed Kaitlyn's arm to sit on her shoulder, his eyes never leaving Arion.
“His name is Dragon, 'cause he reminds me of one. I found him one day, and now he lives in my pocket. No one knows I have him, not even my father. Can you keep it a secret? Please?” she begged.
He stood up slowly and brushed the dirt from his pants. Dragon had been nuzzling against her neck, but his glare remained on Arion. “Uh, I guess. Who am I going to tell, anyway?”
“Oh, right,” Kaitlyn whispered, looking at the ground. “Sorry.”
“Don't be.”
Kaitlyn looked at him with a small smile. “I guess that makes it your turn.”
Arion looked away, clenching his fists behind his back. He wanted to show her…to show anyone…but he knew better. What he held in his hands would only get him hanged.
He shut his eyes and shook his head furiously. “No.”
“It's alright. I won't tell anyone,” Kaitlyn said. Her hand came down on his shoulder, but he smacked it away. He stepped away from her, holding his burning hand in front of him. Green sparks were coming from his palm.
Kaitlyn's face was pale, her wide eyes trained on his hand. He turned away from her and shoved his hands back into his gloves.
He looked back at the other students. They had started to gather around the teachers near the building. “You should get going.”
Kaitlyn was watching the other kids nervously. She turned back to him, biting her lip. She put Dragon bac
k into her pocket and ran for the group of children just as they started shuffling into the school.
Though he knew what she would choose, knowing what a good student she was, his heart still sunk. He watched her disappear into the building, glancing back at him just before she was out of sight.
Once the yard was empty, he forced himself back into the school. His feet drug in the ground and his head hung low.
Why do I even come here? Not like I come to learn anyway. This isn’t the only place I could go to get away from home, right? I could explore, but I come here instead. What reason do I have?
He asked himself the question over and over, desperately grasping for any answer at all. He pushed open the classroom door as quietly as he could and crept inside. Nobody noticed. He had learned to move silently long ago.
He lifted his head to graze over the class when he reached his desk and froze. Kaitlyn was smiling at him. Her smile grew when she caught his attention, and she returned to taking notes on the teacher's lesson.
Arion sat down, his cheeks hot. He stared down at his hands, and grinned. I guess that's why now.
“Why don't you ever talk, Arion?” Kaitlyn asked. She was sitting next to him at recess, like she had been for the past week. She had been picking at dandelions, and her lap was filled with their white fuzz. She had asked him many questions the first few days they had spent together, but had quickly given up at his silence. She was waiting for him to be ready.
“You're always talking. It would be rude. Besides, your stories are more interesting than mine would be.” He leaned back on his hands and stared up at the clouds. It wasn't a lie. He loved listening to her simple stories. She talked about her normal life at home, her father constantly complaining about his work. Mostly, she talked about her books. All she ever did was read, and she would tell Arion everything about her books, gushing about them until she had no breath left.
“Well, I want to hear about you, now.” Kaitlyn focused all of her attention on him.
Arion turned away from her. “Where do I start?”