The Necromancer

Chapter Six

"Nathan Norwood," Professor Frost finally called. Nathan awkwardly shuffled up to the center of the dais. Professor Frost grabbed a handful of golden dust and tossed it onto Nathan. The dust swirled around him, turning an inky black. The room seemed to darken as the dust grew thicker. There was a collective gasp from the teachers and the older students. Everyone was shocked into silence. Some of the younger students began whispering to the older students, most likely asking what it meant. Nathan hesitantly looked up to see what his specialty magic was. Above him a black symbol that looked like a skull glowed hauntingly. He didn't recognize the symbol; none of the other new students had specialized in this magic. In fact, there was no table at all that had the skull on it. He turned to the Headmaster, searching for an answer.

"Well it seems that we have a Necromancer amongst us," the Headmaster announced, his voice carried out over the great hall, silencing every voice. "Welcome Nathan Norwood of the Necromancers to Drazora." With a wave of his hand the great hall rearranged itself and a new table with the skull on it was added to the mix of tables. "It has been a long time since a Necromancer was among us."

As he walked to his table, he could feel all eyes on him. "Affliction isn't much different than Necromancy," Tharin whispered as Nathan moved past him. At the other tables, new students had been greeted by the older students, but there was no one to greet Nathan. He stuck out like a sore thumb. He stared up at the headmaster, trying to give the impression that he didn't care in the slightest, and waited for the Specialization Ceremony to continue.

Student after student found their class of specialization, but none joined Nathan. He remained alone at his table. After the last girl skipped happily to join her new class, the Headmaster clasped his hands together. "This evening, has been a very delightful one. To the new students, I welcome you to Drazora. Classes start tomorrow. The older students will show you to your class's tower. Good night everyone," the Headmaster said before walking off of the dais. Nathan stood awkwardly, having no one to show him where he was to go. "Mr. Norwood," the Headmaster greeted, walking towards him.

"Headmaster Grimwald," Nathan admitted reluctantly, "I don't know where my house's tower is."

"Not to worry, I shall show you. Come." He walked slowly, his long twisted cane in hand. His steps were slow but determined. Nathan followed him, matching his pace.

"Why am I the only Necromancer? There has to be more people like me right?"

His face was grim. "It has been a long time since Necromancers were common here." He knew more than he was willing to say, so Nathan pressed him further.

"Why is that?"

"Even when they were common here, there were very few of them."

"So what happened to them? Why am I the only one now?"

"Everything comes with a price, especially magic, as you will soon learn here. There were a few who lived long lives, but that was not always the case." He gripped his cane tightly before continuing. "Many died, trying to learn the depths of their powers, and pushed themselves to the brink of death. Magic takes a toll on your body. You mustn't push it too far, it needs time to recover and strengthen itself so that next time it will be even better prepared. You must remember that."

"There's something you aren't telling me," Nathan noted.

"Yes, there is, but it is not a story that can be told here and now. You will learn of this tale later. For now, we have arrived." They stood in front of a large stone wall at the end of a hallway that branched off on either side.

Nathan looked at the Headmaster quizzically. Has he lost his mind? "Umm, are we in the right place?"

"We are."

"Are you sure? We are standing in front of a wall, not the entrance to a tower." The Headmaster waved his hand over the wall which began to shimmer.

"Those before me hid the entrance and erased everything that stood for Necromancy. No more Necromancers were accepted into the school, the entrance was hidden, and the classes that dealt with any Necromancer ideals were discarded. With nothing here to remind people of it, it was soon forgotten."

"Does Necromancy being erased have to do with this story you're not telling me?"

"That it does." The wall stopped shimmering and in place of it was an old wooden door that creaked when Headmaster Grimwald pushed it open with his cane. "Upstairs you shall find all that you need. Good night." He hobbled off down one of the hallways. Nathan walked inside. A flight of stairs lay in front of him. There were torches that sprung to life as he walked past them, casting light onto the shadows. When he reached the top, it opened up into a large room, much bigger than he'd imagined it would be. There was a fireplace that ignited itself with a couch in front of it. A few tables sat in the corner. Even though this place probably hadn't been used in decades, it was completely clean without a single spec of dust.

There was another set of stairs that led to a balcony looking over the room. A door led to a bedroom and a connected bathroom. One bed was in the room, but it looked like there used to be more. His clothes were neatly hung up in a closet. His books and supplies sat on a desk in the corner. There was an alarm clock set to wake him up an hour before breakfast sitting on a nightstand next to his bed. Moonlight casted a soft glow over the room. A window overlooked a forest.

Nathan sighed. I'm the only Necromancer, the only one. Why does that feel like a bad thing and not a good thing? "Something's not right," he breathed. "I can't be the only one. I can't be." The tower held no answers to what became of the past Necromancers. Someone had been sure to clean up any and all possible clues. Tired and out of ideas, Nathan fell asleep.