Previously…
A non-disclosure agreement would have to be signed no matter what you decide.”
“I have a choice?” Elara was shocked into tearing her gaze from the stacks to regard Agatha.
“There are always choices, Miss Emerson.”
And now, the continuation…
“Well, this might be the craziest thing I’ve ever done or the best. Only time will tell. I accept,” Elara stuck her hand out, and the two women shook on it.
Once the non-disclosure agreement had been signed, and a state-of-the-art mobile phone and charger issued, Agatha indicated a large book bound in black leather. “Any books you borrow may be taken to your room but will be recorded here. The older items must remain in the library, but you may leave them out to read at your leisure. I look forward to a fruitful working arrangement, Miss Emerson.”
“You know, you can call me by my given name.”
“That would look odd when we are out in society, would it not?” Agatha arched one eyebrow.
“I suppose. Is there a dress code?”
“I only ask that you be clean and presentable. One never knows when we may have to brush shoulders with nobility.”
“You should know I’m comfortable in trousers, vests, and button-down shirts,” Elara cautioned her new employer.
“That’s fine. I’ll leave you to roam the house and bring your possessions over while I rest. The front door will be unlocked, as I said earlier, you may come and go as you please. Dinner will be in the dining room at 6. I’ll see you then.”
Without another word, Agatha turned and silently left Elara in the library to contemplate the unexpected turn her life had taken.
Choosing to investigate the library later, Elara returned to the main floor. At a leisurely pace, she made her way back to the kitchen. The foyer was more than dark wood and marble. There were runes tucked away in unexpected places. Algiz graced two corner moldings above the front door, for protection, Elara mused. She spotted Fehu incorporated into a stained glass panel beside the door. That made sense, considering Agatha’s claim to immortality.
There were small signs of wealth and comfort through the spaces she moved through. Her studies with Hallan had not been underlined with this kind of wealth, but they had been comfortable. Hallan had employed a cleaning lady who came in twice a week and a butler. Like Elara, Garnet had shared Hallan’s home, but when not working, he had kept to himself and his own rooms for the most part. But this home was something else entirely.
In the kitchen, Elara peeked in the cold cabinet and was pleased to find a fruit juice she recognized. In another cabinet, she found a glass and filled it before leaning against the counter. The juice was slightly tart, full of flavor and a familiar taste she enjoyed. It had been one of Hallan’s favorites. Pomegranate, cranberry, and grape. Imported, and not at all cheap. Battling the compulsion to down her juice quickly, she left the kitchen and took her glass back to her room to enjoy the complicated flavors at leisure.
Closing her door behind her, she stood quietly taking in the feeling of the bedroom. The only sound was that of her own breathing mixed with the occasional sound of a horse or automobile from the street below. After setting her juice down on the table in the sitting area, Elara crossed to the window and pulled back the heavy burgundy drapes. Then she operated the crank to open her window a hand-width for some air. The sun was beginning to emerge from behind the clouds, and the air was a little warmer than it had been when she’d first pounded on the red door in the alley. After admiring the view of the gardens below for a minute, she turned her back on the outside world and went to poke around the corners of her room.
She was relieved to see the bathroom contained all the modern conveniences. One of the benefits of wealth in a world of magic and modernity, she supposed. Hallan’s house had been similarly appointed. The walk-in closet was enormous.
“Good gravy, you could put my entire room at Hallan’s in here twice! Who has this many clothes?” Elara exclaimed. She shook her head and returned to the sitting area of the bedroom. A bookcase stood against the wall, made from wood that matched the bed and table. There were a handful of books.
"The Alchemist’s Codex: Transmutations and Elixirs" by Mirabel Haze
"Bridging Worlds: The Theory and Practice of Portal Magic" by H. Shepherd
"The Potion-Makers Garden: Cultivating Magical Flora" by Sylvana Greenbriar
"Shadows and Light: Navigating the Ethical Dimensions of Magic" by Justiciar Elowen
"Elixirs of the Ages: A Comprehensive Guide to Potion Crafting" by Alaric Nightshade
"Runic Resonance: The Language of the Ancients" by Runekeeper Eldrin Stonehand
Elara’s attention snapped back to the second volume.
“Bridging Worlds: The Theory and Practice of Portal Magic,” she read aloud. “By H. Shepherd. Shepherd? As in Hallan Shepherd? I’ve never heard about any book she wrote…” Elara took the book off the shelf and opened it to the copyright page. The book had been written before she’d begun her study with Hallan. The dedication though all but confirmed her suspicions. “To Agatha, whose wisdom crosses and surpasses all the ages. My thanks are eternal,” Elara flipped to the table of contents and read the page while she drank her juice. Without conscious thought, she sat in one of the chairs and began to read the first page, recognizing her former mentor’s speech patterns in the opening pages.
In the annals of magical study, few disciplines are as captivating and complex as the art of Portal Magic. This field, which lies at the intersection of arcane theory and practical application, offers a window (quite literally) into the boundless potential of the magical world. I will seek to explain the esoteric practices surrounding portal magic, guiding the adept from foundational theories to the nuanced execution of inter-dimensional gateways.
The allure of traversing vast distances in the blink of an eye or stepping through a doorway into another realm has fascinated mages for centuries. Yet, the creation and manipulation of portals are not without their risks and ethical considerations. It is an art that requires not only precision and control but also an understanding of the deeper connections between locations, times, and the fabric of reality itself...
Elara closed the book and gazed thoughtfully at the leather cover. “Why did you never tell me about this book, Hallan?” There was, of course, no answer.
Chapter 4 can be found HERE