The Silver Knife

Chapter 12

They looked through bookshelf after bookshelf but to no avail. But suddenly, Aiden gave a soft wail, which made everyone turn towards him.

"Oh my goodness guys look!" He said pointing to a tapestry on the wall. Only, it was no tapestry at all. It had a faint embroidery of the outline of the Academy grounds, and names of different parts of the Academy were embroidered in coloured tassels.

"Should we bring it down? No wonder it has survived so long....The map isn't even written on parchment!" Eden exclaimed. 

"Yes....bring it down oh goodness....but why isn't it even hidden?" Melea asked slightly puzzled.

"That is the whole point of it I believe....Hide things in plain sight! Everyone would assume such a valuable manuscript to be well hidden and protected by all types of charms, but nobody will look around to find a map in tapestry which is in plain sight, although in an isolated part of the Section. Bring that down....let's look into it." Lilith said.

Eden hummed and held out his hand. The metal pins that held up the tapestry fell off slowly, as if being attracted by a strong magnet and Aiden grabbed the tapestry before it fell down with a loud alarming sound that would draw Professor Swan towards them.

"Look....the dorm towers....the already found passageways are marked in gold....but hey what's this...." Eden said pulling out a small parchment from the folds of the tapestry. He held it up beside a candle and read:

To the person reading this,

Just know that you have found one of our most prized possessions.... We entrust this to you to find the rest and solve a burning mystery. Embark on a legacy of mystery....

The map is magical, if you find a hidden passageway, the map will glow blue and a new golden tassel will mark its way.

Enjoy the journey, carry on the legacy.

Regards, The Trailblazers.

Eden looked up at the three faces staring at the note in shock. Aiden opened the map gingerly, slowly smoothing out the small creases on the ancient treasure.

"We need to hide this....Melea, Lilith, take this....You two are room mates, it'll remain safe." Aiden said slowly, rolling the tapestry and tying a piece of twine around it. "We need to find a place where we can study this in peace....the dorm is unsafe."

"I know a place....It is an abandoned runes classroom. Professor Finwe gave up that classroom ever since it was rumored to be haunted. Plus if it is haunted, the possible residing ghost might be able to help us." Melea said softly.

"Not a bad idea...I like it. Give me the tapestry....let's get out of here and return before curfew. Staying longer might get suspicious." Lilith said. Aiden handed her the tapestry which she promptly hid under her long robe.

They rang the bell on the table and Professor Swan arrived a few moments later and let them out. Melea borrowed the book for a week and they left. As they climbed up the staircase they heard an all too familiar voice coming down from the direction of their dorm. The four of them quickly concealed themselves behind a large pillar and pressed themselves against the cold stone wall, breaths hitched in their chest.

Melody Regina walked down the staircase, talking to her familiar.

"Now Blaze, she is hooked onto you." She cooed to the dragon who merely growled. "I need you to get closer, till the point she'll follow you out." The dragon replied with a growl. "I know you can do so Blaze, do not rush it." She said walking down, oblivious of the four students listening to every word of hers with rapt attention.