Of Thorns and Glamour

Teach Me

I was finding my way back the next day to the strange glamoured area the mages came through. Umbra tagged along, hiding in my shadow, but she seemed even more aware. I could tell our senses started to blend as my sense of smell and hearing became heightened. It allowed me to take note on locations I passed even easier, giving myself a mental map.

I made sure to glamour myself as that student, and when I went to the bushes I tasted the majick that caused the glamour, stinging my tongue's nerves. I proceeded to walk through the wall, and soon I was on the other side. It felt similar to how Inchiki's house, the change in atmosphere and sound, it seemed dimmer here too. I look around and realize I'm inside a building, filled with plants, but the walls are clear as sunshine and specks of sky through the leaves of the canopy. I turn around and no one is behind me, I take a deep breath and pull my hood even further down. I chant to myself in my head, My name is Silvia, and hope that I can pull off the lies. I find myself worried soon as I can't find an exit from the gardens. I see robe heads and take all my impulses to not duct from sight. They ignore me and walk down a hall, I follow them as if going to same way.

Hopefully asking for directions won't cause me issues, but soon we turn into a stair case, it can go up or down, but the second floor up as an obvious exit. I follow them up and they continue, so instead I exit on the second floor. "I can scan ahead, what did you want to look for?" Umbra asks me through my thoughts.

"A library, so I can gather information." I said mentally, down the line of thoughts between us. I see her shadow snake out from mine as she follows the shadowed corridors. I wait while looking down the hall, watching for people. Thankfully I took the less busy pathway.

"This way, little star." I let out a held breath after hearings Umbra's voice. The hall too silent for my liking, and I followed her shadow. After twists and turns through halls and pass other robe mages, some in different colors. I noticed that maybe a few could have been teachers, but only their mannerisms and age gave me that detail. I tried not to look at anyone in the eye though, for fear that they might strike a conversation. Shortly I went through two massive doors, also adorned with animals and beasts. Stairs led me up and opened out to a massive open room and upon entering I first notice the half circle desk. A man with chocolate brown hair and small spectacles sat down behind it. He didn't bother to look up at me, but I took note of how young he was, but he didn't adorned the robe. I continue on, and look up finally at the massive walls of books, the shelves turning upwards towards a ceiling painted with blue stars. The shelves were that of a dark wood, but it contrasted with the white walls, some of it gilded in gold and silver. I noticed paintings and murals of lands and gods and beasts. This place could have been one of worship, and maybe these mortals did in their own way, by passing down stories or finding devotion. I didn't even know where to start as I scanned the books.

I found a book on a desk, abandoned in its little nook. I glanced around and opened it partially, finding words about plants and their properties. I sat down and began reading, only finishing it soon and feeling not quite satisfied. I grabbed another book, and read through it, this one was about a goddess of plants, growth and spring. I think most of these were fundamentals. I already knew half of the information, albeit slightly wrong, but what were they to do compared to a god's library. I was so frustrated at myself that I didn't push my mother to teach me the ways in majick. I didn't think she would ever let me, but gathering information here is better than trying it on my own.

I grabbed another book, this one about flight and birds, more practical, but soon robed mages came down near me and I set the book down. I worried they might had been the ones at the abandoned desk, but thankfully they moved past me. "So jumpy." Umbra's chuckle purred through me, and I shot down a vulgar word at her. "Why don't you ask one of them for a book of spells?"