The Dark Binding

Chapter 7

Sabrina followed Pam back to Argo Manor and up to the second floor. She then opened a set of double doors and led Sabrina into a large chamber. The floors were of a glossy, crystal which reflected the warm light of the spiral chandeliers which hovered above them. The walls were decorated with many paintings while awards and strange objects were held in cases across the room.

''What is this place?'' Sabrina glanced about with wild eyes.

''As far I can tell,'' Pam stepped close beside her. ''It's a hall of fame for the Argo Coven.''

Sabrina walked toward the paintings to get a closer look. Her eyes studied the inscription above and she read aloud:

We honour those who have furthered the torch of the Argo Coven.

She looked at a painting of a bald, dark eyed man and read below:

Parken Ersent, slayer of the red Goblin.

She read on.

Hamlet Tawlock, discoverer of red blaze pixies.

''Sabrina, '' Pam motioned her forward. She was standing in front of a large clay tablet which contained a long list of names.

''What?'' she looked at her sister. She had better not have called me here to look at a piece of clay.

Pam ran her finger down the names, '' It's a list of names of people who entered the Hellas Guild.''

Sabrina frowned, ''why does everyone keep making such a fuss about the Hellas Guild?''

Pam gave her a shrewd look. ''Probably because thirteen of the world's most powerful magic families joined together to form the guild.''

''Besides, father says that we'll work here after we join the Argo Coven, should uncle permit it.''

Wow, Sabrina thought. Father really planned out everything for us. I wonder what father would have done if Pam and I weren't Mages.

Not wanting to argue with her sister, Sabrina walked across the room to another set of paintings. Atop read the words:

The Grandmages of Argo Coven:

She looked at her father's proud line, a lineage of strong, serious men who all wore the characteristic white gem. She came to the last of the portraits. It was of her uncle, who stood tall and proud against the background of Argo Manor.

Look how smug he looks, she thought. It's a pity that the Coven belongs to him.

She glanced at the painting next to it and saw a square-built man with piercing blue eyes and father's jawline.

''Grandfather,'' she said softly while stretching her hand toward the portrait as if to touch it.

''Sabrina,'' Pam called. ''This was what I wanted to show you.''

Sabrina walked over to her and they both stood before a tall family painting. It was in fact, her family's painting. Grandfather was seated in the middle next to a beautiful young woman with a long blonde braid. On his right sat a young girl with short hair and a small nose. Next to the woman sat Uncle Erik and father, both so young and innocent.

It felt strange for Sabrina to see her father looking so small and helpless.

''My lord,'' Sabrina chuckled. ''Look at how adorable he was.''

Pam let out a sudden burst of laughter which left her breathless.

''I wish mother could see this,'' Sabrina said, feeling a hollow ache in her belly.

''Me too,'' Pam agreed.

Both girls fell silent with sadness then.

It was as though they were only discovering now who their father was and what their lives were supposed to be. But the cost of this new world was their mother, it didn't seem fair.

''It must have been hard for him,'' Pam said finally.

''What?'' Sabrina turned to face her.

''It must've been hard for him to leave all of this,'' she gestured wildly.''

''I mean we're treated like royalty here.''

Sabrina frowned, ''wasn't he kicked out?''

''No,'' Pam shook her head seriously. ''He felt that he had to leave because he was too weak a mage, having no innate magic and all.''

Sabrina looked back at the painting of her father when he was younger and tried to imagine what it was like to be born into one of the most powerful magic families in the world without having any magic.

''And then he came to Oire,'' she continued. ''Where he opened a small grocer, and married a beautiful woman who had no clue as to who he really was.''

Pam's voice grew soft now and Sabrina could tell that she was becoming emotional.

''He tried to make so many people happy, that he just ended up making himself unhappy.''

''He was disappointed in himself because he saw himself as weak,'' Sabrina muttered.

Suddenly she understood. She knew why her father hated her.

For some reason, he saw that same fear and powerlessness that he had as a child in her. She was a constant reminder of his own failures.

Well if that's what he thinks, then he's damn wrong, Sabrina thought fiercely.

I'll show him that I'm not weak and I'm most certainly not going to live my life to please anyone else.

She was startled out of her reverie with Pam's laughter.

''What was that,'' she asked smiling. ''Your face was so serious.''

Sabrina turned toward her sister, a gleam in her eye.

''I was just thinking that soon our names will be carved into this hall.''

Pam looked at her, she seemed slightly startled. ''Wow, I like the confidence.''

She smiled nervously. ''what brought this on?''

Sabrina's back was straight and her shoulders squared.

''Pride.''