My Black Heart

Chapter Four

Zack's Point of View

I woke to the sound of birds singing. It was dawn, but I was not tired. The magical disturbance I had felt all night had not allowed me to sleep deeply, but I was still wide awake, as ever in the mornings. Getting out of my bed, I found some clothes to put on. The weather looked quite warm outside, so I dressed lightly, with only a jumper and some trousers. Dawn was my favourite part of the day because it allowed me to venture outside without disturbance from servants or my family, and therefore, I could practise magic.

My family consisted of the King, his wife and my two brothers, the Princes, and each and every one of them feared magic. They had been frightened of it since they heard of the Black Witch, a sixteen year old girl called Elsa, who had many powers and thrived of murder and death. She had been killing the King's men for around two years, and never failed to surprise us. She made me shameful of my magic, but I would never use it for her wicked ways.

I had first discovered I had magic at a young age which I cannot remember exactly, and have hidden it ever since. I dreaded to think what my father would do if he discovered my darkest secret. It would be execution for me to say the least if I did not agree to help him. You see, my father only kept magicians he could control in his castle. There were only a select few of them who had proven themselves to be loyal to him, and it is heard that each and every one of them detested the Black Witch, but could not, even together, match her devastating power.

Quietly, I made my way out of the rich castle walls. It was an absolutely stunning castle that my mother, Isabelle had designed. It sat in the centre of the village, making each and every house their look like a tiny mouse. It was definitely grand and beautiful in comparison. I went to the stables to saddle up my horse, Thunder, who was as black as the night sky and faster than any other horse I had ridden.   Quickly, I made my way out of the village, careful not to make much noise, and came to my favourite spot by the river in the forest at the edge of town. Jumping from Thunder's back, I sat on the tree stump at the edge of the river. The water was running fast today, making a splashing noise as it fell over the rocks creating a tiny waterfall. It was so tranquil I almost got lost in my thoughts, but then I realised, I was here to practise my skills.

I had grown used to using magic by now, as I had been doing it for many years. I always started with water. Raising my hand above the water's edge, I lifted a small channel of water into a tornado shape and made it swirl across the river quickly before letting it back down. I smiled to myself; I had held it for longer than the last time I attempted it. Next, I made a water bubble above the surface. It was like one of the big gas giant planets, spinning around. I shoved my hand hardly forwards and the water crashed into the tree in front of it, splashing me even from across the river. I smiled again. That attack had definitely hit with a lot more power than the last attempt. I was improving.

The second element I tested was earth. It was my second favourite element of them all, and I enjoyed using it. There were autumn leaves scattered on the floor, so I lifted my hands and the leaves lifted simultaneously with it. I reached for my third element, air, and used it to create a whirlwind of leaves around me. This wasn't really an attack, but I enjoyed creating displays with magic. Finally, I let them drop to the floor again. It was saddening to let them drop, but I had not got the strength to hold on any longer.

Fire was the only element I could not master. No matter how hard I tried to reach for it, I could not find it. All that was in my mind where fire should have been was emptiness. However I could not complain about not having fire as an element. I had been gifted well enough with three, which was three times as many as the normal magician. Sighing, I gave up with practise. It was nearing the time when the castle's people awoke, and I needed to return before anybody realised I was missing.