The Dark Binding

Chapter 5

The Hidden city is a series of islands all connected by large, stone bridges. These islands were mainly residential areas for magi or covens who could afford such areas.

And hovering in the centre of it all was the Grand Guild.

The Argo coven was not in the Hidden City but on an island located further North across the sea and this is why Sabrina and her family found themselves on a ferry in the Summer Side Sea.

It was the first time she found herself on a boat and she had to admit that it was rather enjoyable. There was something tranquil about the gentle rocking, and the warm blue spray across her face.

There was barely any wind, but every time she glanced at the grey Winter Side Sea churning roughly under dark clouds, she could feel gooseflesh creep up her arms.

Her father was going off about his childhood again and poor Pam just sat and listened, although she was clearly disinterested.

There were two other passengers on the boat; a man and a woman who seemed to be a couple. Sabrina guessed that they belonged to the Argo Coven.

Her family's Coven.

Having no one else to talk to, she climbed the short stairway up to the helm of the ship to the ferryman.

He was a rather large, tanned man with experience written all over his face.

''So, you've travelled the sea often?'' she asked in a purely conversational tone.

The man stared at her and for a moment she worried about what she must look like to him. Some green girl poking her nose where she shouldn't be. Maybe he's right, she thought. It's not like me to go talking to random strangers.

''The sea?'' he spoke in a strange burr which comes from travelling too often and having no home.

''You think we're on the sea, lovely girl?''

She frowned. ''Well where are we then?''

He leaned closer, smelling of sweat and salt. ''The in-between.''

What the hell is he talking about?

''Well are there many islands beyond the Hidden City?''

''Aye, he nodded gravely. ''Many islands.''

Sabrina stared out into the open ocean and wondered what strange places lie ahead.

''The islands stretch on forever, but of course even forever has an end,'' he chuckled to himself and glanced at Sabrina expectantly.

She laughed on cue, maybe it was a mistake talking to this nutter.

''We've made it,'' she heard her father yell, his voice filled with excitement.

She peered ahead and glimpsed the sandy, white shores and tall green palm trees.

When the boat reached the shore, Sabrina stepped off it and onto the sand, where she could feel her leather shoes sink into the warm softness.

They were on a long, narrow stretch of white beach and ahead there was a tall boulder which ran across the beach. Most of its rocks were layered in seaweed. Between two large rocks was a long stone, stairway which led up to a black gate.

They made their way up the stairway to the gates which protected an enormous manor. Twisted into the metal bars was the image of a phoenix which parted as the gates opened.

Argo manor lay ahead large and impressive with two towers twisting upward like bat ears. Surrounding it were a few less impressive buildings scattered across the island.