The Dark Binding

Chapter 2

''I'm telling you Aida; Sabrina doesn't seem all that interested in learning magic.''

Sabrina's parents were lying in a room filled with dark shadows escaping from the yellow flame flickering from a single candlestick on their bed side.

Aida ran a hand through his thick brown hair, his blue eyes narrowing in incredulity.

''How can Sabrina be disinterested in magic?''

Caya, Sabrina's mother lay back against the pillows, her red hair an untidy sprawl about her head.' 'Maybe she just doesn't like it.''

Aida shook his head. ''She's fifteen, she doesn't know what she wants. I'm sure it's just a phase.''

He looked at Caya with the subtle certainty of a proud man. ''I mean look at Pam, she's only a year older than Sabrina but already using spells.''

''I don't know Aida,'' she glanced curiously at her husband. ''Did you even ask her what she wants to do?''

Aida burst into a hearty chuckle. ''What she wants?'' He laughed at the absurdity of the question. ''She's a woman, there's not much that she can choose from.''

Seeing her fiery brow rise he stopped laughing. I have to step carefully here, he realised.

''Look,'' he began pacifyingly. ''We both know that in our society women don't enjoy many privileges, so what other opportunities does she have?''

He touched her hand affectionately. ''But as magi both Pam and Sabrina have untold power and opportunities because they were born with magic.''

Aida was born without magic but raised into a mage family. He'd had to learn magic the hard way and that was ever his curse, now with two born-magi he could return home, proud.

Caya mumbled a reluctant agreement before blowing out the candle and rolling to the side.

Aida lied on his back staring into the immeasurable darkness. He recalled the wonder and awe in the eyes of his daughters when he told them of the Hidden City and the Grand Guild years ago...

'' The Hellas Coven is one of the most powerful fiefdoms of magic in the world,'' Aida declared with a ridiculous smile.

Pam and Sabrina were sitting on the thick woollen carpet listening intently.

''It is where I received my magical education and where you will get yours.''

''When will that happen, dad?'' Pam asked leaning her head to the side.

''Well first you'll have to become registered at the Grand Guild as a formal mage and undertake a three-year apprenticeship under a master.''

''If the Hellas Coven accepts you,'' he nodded to himself. ''Only then can you attend the school.''

Sabrina and Pam traded excited looks. Aida pulled out a thick leather book which was withered with age and with a cover which was emblazoned with the image of a phoenix.

He handed the book over to Pam very carefully. After all his entire life of magic could be found in its pages.

''This,'' his voice quivered a little. ''Is a grimoire. My grimoire.''

His blue eyes pierced pam's. ''It contains all spells, hexes, and knowledge that I have gained as a Hellas student.''

He smiled lovingly, ''It is yours now. Take care of it.''

Pam gazed wondrously at the book; her small pale fingers brushed its emblem gingerly.

Aida looked at Sabrina who also seemed to be smiling. What on earth had changed?''