Chapter 7: The Forbidden Book

"Are you two new here?" They wondered how he guessed right. They remained silent. 'What kind of children are these?' he thought to himself.

"What are your names?"

"None of your business!" They both chorused at once.

"Whoah! What team work you have!" He was amazed at the cooperation of the two. "Fine, I will go first. My name is Huchin Na. Now, what are your names?" They sighed and just requested again a bit rudely this time.

"Enough with the pleasantries. We need the Great Qi book. The magic book!"

He shushed them and spoke almost in a whisper. "Do you hope for death? Are you two dumb or what? I still need my life though I hate that foolish law of magic." He paused and looked around then continued. "Magic is not allowed to ordinaries in this kingdom anymore. Since the new king stepped on power, he stopped magic practice for the ordinaries. Annoyingly enough, his queen and daughter are witches."

"Do you hate witches?" The question slipped out of Muye's lips before she could stop herself.

Huchin laughed at her and then became serious suddenly. "I hate them greatly." That scared the two. But a few moments later their fear was broken by his hearty laugh. "No of course I do not hate them. Instead, I fancy them. I wish I could be one but no, I can't."

Muye sighed and exhaled loudly in relief. Huchin was now confused of her action. The two siblings said no more and walked out. After roaming about the town, they decided to go back to the bookshop.

"You are back? So, what do you need and I will give it to you?" He offered politely this time. He had noticed something strange on one of the two when they had turned to walk away in the afternoon. It was turning dark when they returned.

"We need the book we told you earlier so that we get the information we need."

"Who told you about that book?"

The two remained silent while contemplating on answering him or not. His next words made them struck with surprise.

"I know he is a wizard." Huchin spoke slowly while gesturing to Muye. She had taken the façade of male disguise until now. "You will be in trouble when they find you. I can help." Millan was now scared a bit. How did he know?

"How did you know I use magic?"

"The sign sparkled when you turned to leave. The lost sign of magic."

"Lost sign?" She furrowed her eye brows.

Huchin showed them a picture of the sign. He informed them that they had nothing to fear. The sign would only be witnessed to a believer of magic and the particular sign was extraordinary.

"It only shows itself to who it wants. It must have shown itself to me because I have to help you."

"How can we trust you? How do you even know all of this?" Millan could not help but ask.

"I would just report you to the guards but no I just offered help. I know all this because my parents were guardians of magic. We don't use magic but we protect it." Muye felt safe with him and chose to trust him.

"Fine we will accept your offer. But we still need the Great Qi book." Huchin smiled at her and gestured them to follow him. He led them to a basement of the bookshop and showed them where they would stay. To their surprise, he had already arranged beds and stuff for them to use.

"How?"

He chuckled at their surprised forms and told them that earlier in the day when they went away, he prepared everything after seeing the sign appear. Down there, they did introductions and Muye revealed her true gender to him. He was struck with awe at their strategy.

"Rest, tomorrow we will start to search up the book."

......…..

"Souhee! Why do you defy me? Do you know that we are still unstable because of your-."

"Stop!" Nagjari shouted at Holtrin who almost broke their daughter's heart. "Get out I will talk to her." She spoke to him politely. He spared Souhee one last look and walked out leaving the mother-daughter time to commence. Nagjari ran to her daughter and hugged her. She knew she was hurt by her father's temper and words.

"Dear I know it's hard but you have to try. After you gain your power, then you can protect that relationship you are running to. Do you understand?" Souhee nodded affirmatively and sobbed in her mother's embrace. She did not feel loved by her father. The royal officials seemed to undermine her and did not consider her worthy of address as a princess. They belittled her every chance they got.

She realized her mother was right. She needed to try harder and get her abilities so that she gains respect and power in the kingdom, unlike her brother who seemed respected even though he was younger and had no abilities just like her.

She sobbed silently on her bed as her mother caressed her hair until she fell into deep slumber.

................

"Poor Souhee!" The cloaked female shook her head as she seemed to be looking at the sleeping princess through a mirror. Chanting, she walked away from the mirror and gradually the image of the princess faded back into a normal mirror.

"Nagjari! I warned you." She spoke to no one in particular.