Page 10 of Legends of Sorcery
“Arion, Ryze is little more than a mythical creature,” he said.
It wasn’t long before the King arrived with Garron and two guards that were told to stay outside. Valaria was not far behind him despite her father’s frustration.
“What do you think we’re dealing with Zallon?” the King asked his old friend.
“I do not know. There is nothing in the scrolls describing an attack on the unicorns such as this, he said.”
“Maybe it is Ryze coming back,” Garron said.
“I don’t understand anything you’ve really said about Ryze. Can someone explain this legend?” Arion asked feeling a little embarrassed by being in the dark when everyone else seemed to understand what they were talking about.
“The legend of Ryze basically goes like this,” Valaria said. “Ryze was once a great sorcerer who ruled over all Amaria. At one time he was just, but as his power grew, so did his greed for more. Dark magic corrupted him and he used it to obtain ultimate power for himself.”
“All magic comes at a price, as you have learned, Arion,” Zallon said. “But none more than dark sorcery. He thought he was powerful enough to overcome the consequences, but he was wrong. The spell he cast caused him to lose his entire family and marked him by the darkness.”
“Some say that no matter what shape or form he takes, he can never hide the scar across his right eyebrow,” Valaria added.
“That’s ridiculous. He’s a sorcerer, not a shapeshifter,” Garron pointed out.
“Hush. I’m the one telling the story and I say he’s powerful enough to appear as anything or anyone he wants,” said Valaria stubbornly.
“My daughter is right,” the King told Garron. “Or so the legend goes.” He winked at the boy.
“How come I’ve never heard of these legends?” Arion asked.
Valaria gave him a sad look. “They’re just old stories parents tell their kids at bedtime.”
Arion nodded with understanding. He hadn’t had parents to pass the fairytales down to him.
“So, what happened to Ryze then?” he asked.
“Oh, well the people of Amaria could only take so much before they rose up to rebel against him. It’s said the six most powerful families grew armies to formulate an attack and reclaim Amaria, but fearful of his own demise, he used magic to preserve himself in six stones vowing to return to fight another day.”
“They say those six families formed the six kingdoms of Amaria that we know today and that’s why we’ve been mostly at peace for a thousand years,” Garron said. “Hey, does that make you one of the six families then?” he asked his King.
“Yes, Garron. My ancestors are said to have led one of the armies in the defeat of Ryze,” he confirmed.
“Do you believe this is true, Zallon?” Arion asked. He had a thousand questions running through his head.
“I am sure parts of it are certainly true. There are several scrolls written about Ryze, Arion. If you are that interested in his story, you are welcome to read through what we have on him,” Zallon surprised him by saying. Then he added, “After we find a way to cure the unicorns of whatever is ailing them.”
Arion’s curiosity had been piqued, but the reminder of Callia in such pain just lying on the ground was enough to push that interest aside and focus on what was most important.
“We will say our adieu and let the two of you get back to work then,” the King announced taking Valaria and Garron with him.
“You would really trust me with the ancient scrolls?” Arion asked Zallon once they were finally alone.
Zallon smiled affectionately. “Arion, these scrolls will be yours to protect and study soon. I think it’s time you get started.”
He led Arion to the room housed in an old dungeon in the basement. It should have been creepy, but the musty smell of old paper appealed greatly to him. Zallon unlocked a thick iron gate and escorted him into a room Arion had never seen before, only heard of.
The walls were lined with shelves and two large tables sat in the middle of the room. There were openings to three other rooms that Arion could see were lined with bookshelves.
“They are sorted uniquely, and it takes some time to figure it all out, but I will teach over time. Right now, we need to act quickly, so follow me.”
To Arion it felt like they were lost in a series of tunnels before Zallon finally stopped and unlocked a thick wooden door. It was the only room they had seen since entering the room of scrolls that was locked.
A chill ran down Arion’s spine and he halted even as Zallon entered the room.
