The Tome of Ishilda (Offsite)

[Lord T Hawkeye]

Being as I've been stricken with some horrific writing blocks this year, I decided to do more casual, short stories to ease the pressure and so far it's working.

Here's the first part of one I just came up with during work one day. Hope everyone finds it promising. ^^

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The Tome of Ishilda

?Now, watch closely at the coin! With a wave of my hand, it shall...?

Tink!

The coin simply fell out of Trevor's hand and onto the floor. Luckily he was only practicing in front of a mirror.

?Dang it, I still can't palm right...?

?Trevor!? came the voice of his mom, ?I hope you're not playing with your magic set again. You've got homework to do!?

Trevor simply sighed and got back to the books. As any could tell you, he was a bright young lad who absolutely adored magic and practiced it whenever he got the chance. He still had a way to go but his enthusiasm never dwindled. He was 14 years old with short blonde hair and a rather light build.

He sighed as he looked around his room at the various magician posters he kept up as well as the interesting trinkets and props on display, ?Man, I wish I could do real magic...?

It all started the next day when he met up with his friends Steve and Kelly after school. Steve was on the school's track team but had been friends with Trevor since they were kids so they always spent time together despite their different hobbies. Kelly was known as the biggest book worm in school. She became friends with the two after helping them when they were struggling with grades last year.

?Heya Trev,? Steve said as they met up and walked home, ?How goes that palming thing you were talking about??

?Still can't quite get it right...? Trevor said dejectedly.

?Ah, you're just trying too hard,? Kelly put in as they walked past various stores, ?I supposed you'll want to stop at the Magic Touch like always??

Indeed, it was Trevor's favorite store after all and he was always eager to see anything new they had in stock. Inside looked like a more elaborate version of Trevor's own room, filled with magic props and other oddities.

?Good afternoon everyone,? the store owner greeted as they walked in, ?Sorry but nothing new today...well...except that...?

He indicated a stand sitting just in the corner of the room behind the door. Atop it stood a worn but strong looking metal box about a foot wide and long. It bore a sign beside it saying ?Open the box and win a prize!?

?You get a prize just for opening it?? Steve said confused.

?Don't waste your time,? the store owner replied, ?I've tried everything. It doesn't open. I'm about ready to just pawn it off if I can or toss it if I can't.?

Curiously, Steve cracked his knuckles and tried to pull the box open. When it didn't budge, he held it up and tried harder, only to have his hand slip off.

?Ow...I guess it really doesn't open.?

?Told you so,? the store owner said shaking his head as he continued to read his book.

?Ouch, I guess he got scammed,? Kelly remarked as she looked around the store, her attention on the box waning.

Trevor on the other hand couldn't seem to take his gaze off. It almost seemed to be calling out to him to give it a try. But why? He just saw Steve, a guy much stronger than him, try and fail to open it so what chance did he have? Nevertheless, Trevor curiously reached out and touched the lid. He felt it held shut solidly for only a split second before there was a noticeable give. With no effort at all, he lifted the lid up.

?Uh...I...? Trevor stammered.

?Is there something I can...? the store owner began before looking more carefully, ?You...you opened it?! How??

?I don't know...it just opened like nothing...? Trevor said trying to make sense of things as everyone came in closer to look.

?Maybe there was a timing mechanism on it...? Kelly considered. That would make sense...except there was no mechamisms to be found at all. It looked for all purposes like just a crude metal box.

?Ah, who cares how he did it,? Steve said, ?What matters is he did it right? So what's the prize??

?The man who sold it to me said whoever opens it owns what's inside,? the store owner explained as they pulled the lid back. Inside was a black, leather bound book decorated with seared on runes.

?An antique book maybe...? Kelly said fascinated.

?Well, I guess it's yours then kiddo,? The store owner declared as he handed the book to Trevor, ?Probably would go nice with your collection eh??

?Yeah...thanks!? Trevor said, still surprised at everything that had happened.

With that, the three friends left the store and headed on home. Trevor arrived to find his mother absent, apparently working late yet again. Trevor always wished he could do more to help their situation. With his father gone, his mother had to work late a lot to keep things going. Well, at least he had his new possession to keep his mind occupied. He decided to take it up to his room and look through it a little.

?Hmm...? he pondered as he opened it.

The book was thankfully written in english to his surprise though it did look like older dialect. His eyes lit up as he looked further.

?Incantation of levitation?? he read aloud, ?Was this some witch's spell book? Heh...I wonder if...?

He began to think for a moment before giving his head a shake.

?Nah! Come on Trevor, stop dreaming. Still, these words might make for nice magic words to use for my tricks...I wonder how you pronounce this...No in divuum.?

No sooner had he said it did his chair suddenly lift off from the floor with him in it, drifting slowly around the room as though in outer space.

?Woah...what the...? Trevor said as he found himself drifting off the chair, floating as well.

Acting quickly, he grabbed the head of his bed in an effort to pull himself back to the book. Managing to make his way back to this deck, he picked up the book again and looked at the page. Thankfully, there was a counter spell cited directly below it.

?Cado pessum!?

Trevor and the chair immediately dropped back to the floor.

?I don't believe this...it's a real magic book!? Trevor exclaimed excitedly.

?Trevor? Are you okay up there?? came his mom's voice, snapping him out of his euphoria.

?oh...yeah mom...I just...tripped...?

?Oh, okay well please try to keep it down up there. I have to get an early start tomorrow.?

?Yeah, no problem mom,? Trevor said as he stowed the book away.

Trevor decided it was best to hide it for now. Tomorrow was the weekend and he could learn more about it then. He smiled as he got ready for bed, excited about tomorrow...

...so much that he didn't even notice his hair slowly lengthen ever so slightly...