( 𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗟𝗬 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 )
𝐈𝐍 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐇
⸻ Cordelia Winterbourne's ordinary life with her mother was shattered by the onset of war, prompting Cordelia's mother to make a gut-wrenching decision by sending her daughter away for...
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As we entered the library, I couldn't help but take in the mysterious beauty that surrounded us, marveling at the ethereal ambiance.
While I surveyed the ornate shelves and the dimly lit expanse, Lucy ventured towards the central stand. Perched atop it lay the book, likely the elusive item referred to by the mysterious voices.
Observing the enchanting atmosphere around me, I eventually joined Lucy beside the stand. Together, we focused our attention on the book, and Lucy gently blew over it.
Almost magically, the scattered words adorning the cover began to stir and rearrange themselves, aligning into coherent phrases and forming legible sentences before our eyes.
The Book of Incantations.
Lucy and I exchanged a glance, sharing a moment of slight amazement at the book's response to her action before we began to explore its contents.
As Lucy deftly flipped through the pages in search of the sections the invisible voices had requested, I wandered along the shelves, drawn to the exquisite hardcovers of the various books that adorned the library. Each volume seemed to exude an aura of enchantment, captivating me with its intricate designs and intriguing titles.
"With these words, your tongue must sew for all around there to be snow," Lucy's voice echoed through the silent library, drawing my attention.
Suddenly, as if by magic, snow began to gently fall within the confines of the library, coating the ground in a serene blanket of white. Mesmerized, I extended my hand, catching a snowflake and momentarily lost in memories of our earlier adventures in Narnia.
A time when we were still complete.
My reverie was abruptly interrupted as Lucy blew on the pages of the book, swiftly dispelling the snow. Turning my attention back to the shelves, I absentmindedly grabbed a few books, flipping through random pages.
"Lucy, what were the words of the enchantment spoken by those invisible beings earlier, again?" I inquired, realizing I'd forgotten them.
As the turmoil unfolded, I remained absorbed in the book I held. Growing concerned by Lucy's continued silence, I eventually turned around, only to find her fixated on her own reflection in a nearby mirror before returning her focus to the book.
"Lu?" I called out, attempting to draw her attention, but she remained engrossed.
"No! Wait," she suddenly exclaimed, forcefully impacting a specific page within the book.
"Make me she, whom I'd agree..." she read aloud, causing me to swiftly replace the book on the shelf before approaching her, bewildered by her actions. However, my puzzlement escalated when she tore a particular page from the book, prompting an eruption of fluttering pages.
Amidst the chaos, a disoriented voice seemed to call her name. Rushing forward, I attempted to stabilize the unruly book pages, intervening to cease their erratic dance.
"Lucy, what's happening?" I asked, my concern evident as I confronted her, noticing the guilt reflected in her eyes. "Are you alright? Is something wrong?"
The girl before me shook her head while keeping one hand concealed behind her back. Puzzled, I studied her for a moment, trying to make sense of the situation, before shifting my attention back to the book. Releasing my grip on the book's pages, I observed the words.
A SPELL TO MAKE THE UNSEEN SEEN
I felt Lucy's presence beside me as I recited the words aloud. "Like the 'p' in psychology. The 'h' in psychiatry. Invisible ink and the truth in theology... The spell is complete. Now all is visible."
As I finished the incantation, the ladder on the bookshelves suddenly shifted, prompting me to swiftly position Lucy behind me while summoning my sword.
Our gaze locked onto the figure that materialized before us, clutching a book. He turned, fixing his stare upon us, a dawning realization marking his expression as he noticed that we could now see him.
"Hello there, Your Majesties. My name is Coriakin," he introduced, bowing gracefully to us.
"Come, I'll show you the way out," he offered, guiding us out of the library. Despite my desire to linger, we followed his lead, gradually feeling the tension ease as I realized he posed no threat and neither did this place.
Exiting the now visible mansion, Edmund and Caspian stood together, observing the lively scene with dufflepuds hopping around them. Drinian and the rest of the crew were also present, adding to the commotion.
As they turned around, sensing our arrival, relief washed over them, particularly evident in Edmund's demeanor as he sheathed his sword.
"Cora! Lucy!" he exclaimed, visibly relieved to see us.
"Your Majesty," Coriakin greeted, bowing with a hand over his chest, mirroring his earlier gesture in the library.
"Caspian and Edmund," Lucy began, "This is Coriakin, it's his island," she announced, prompting the two boys before us to offer their bows as well.
"That's what he thinks," one of the dufflepuds interjected, followed by another. "You have wronged us, magician."
"I have not wronged you," Coriakin responded, stepping closer to them. "I made you invisible for your own protection."
"Protection?" they exclaimed incredulously, stepping back.
As Coriakin guided us away, Ed moved in front of me, cupping my cheeks with his hands, a gentle urgency in his voice amidst the attention fixed on the unfolding events.
"Don't you ever scare me like that," he murmured, his concern evident.
I scrunched my nose in response, offering a quick peck on his lips before turning away. Coriakin led us back into the mansion, this time accompanied by the others, excluding the crew.
"What do you mean when you said you made them invisible for their own good?" Lucy inquired as we traversed the familiar hallway.
"It seemed the easiest way to protect them..." Coriakin responded, pausing briefly. "From the evil."
Edmund shot me a quick glance before adding, "You mean the mist?"
"I mean what lies behind the mist," he replied, gesturing for us to enter the library first as he halted at the side.
As we took in the enigmatic library, a swirling galaxy-like hue danced above the shelves, casting an otherworldly ambiance.
Moving to the center, Coriakin laid out a parchment, unveiling a map detailing the intricate history of Narnia.
"It's quite beautiful," Eustace remarked, momentarily captivated by the map's beauty, before hastily adding, "I mean, for a make-believe map of a make-believe world."
Edmund and I exchanged amused glances at his cousin's reaction before refocusing our attention on the captivating map spread out before us.
