Catching her breath she looked toward the sky, the sheet of white cloud above her. Slowly, little flakes drifted down. One landed on the tip of her reddened nose. She would have loved to rest but thinking like that had never helped in the past.

  Once the shock and fear faded enough, staggering up, Isadora looked around the courtyard and weakly walked towards the door. There was a massive drawing of the Arctic Gods star sign. She looked up to notice his stars were visible from the schools location. The closer one was to the God’s constellation the stronger they would be. There was a more detailed drawing of the God engrained into the doors wood. He looked mighty.

  She shivered. It was like she could feel blood pulse to only her brain and organs as her body sucked it away from her legs and arms, her chest was feeling heavier by the second. Was it possible to be this cold?! Trying to suck air into her lungs with effort pushed her body up to the door. Locked… She had only a few minutes left before the cold got the better of her. Slapping herself across the face it didn’t give her the adrenaline she wished it would. She yelled, brain fogging, She spotted a window with the ledge wide enough to even stand on, and decided to go for that, following it she saw a tree, with thick branches. She’d use that.

  Staggering over got her footing on a tree branch and began the easy climb from how close and thick each branch was. Edging her way forward headed for the concrete ledge above the window, it was thick enough for her feet. Getting closer… ‘Aaah!’ The branch snapped from her weight, ‘ow…’

  Trying again on another branch jumped for it and after a lot of wobbling managed to balance on the ledge. She shuffled left toward the shut window. Looking in through the glass saw no one there and with her last bits of energy she pushed it open.

  Falling through, exhausted and starved flopped onto the carpet floor. The warmth gave her strength as her mind decided to wander off. She used a nearby stand to pick herself back up. “I made it!” She whispered to herself as she could hardly believe it.

  She wandered through the hall. Green, rough carpet was underfoot without a speck of dirt in sight, a few small tables were around with flowers or a mirror to give a homey feel. She walked down stone, spiral steps into a large hall-like room, to the left the room narrowed but stretched further while to the right it lead to a square area with a different floor pattern- like a dance floor.

  She walked forward to a massive floor layout and studied it. Finding the dining area the ceiling was some sort of illusion of space focused on the Arctic Gods constellation. She only glanced at the marvel as she hurried across the clean floors, which she now dirtied, and shoved all type of food from the many tables into her mouth.

  Once satisfied she saw a sack filled with potatoes and dumped most them on the floor before filling it with all manner of food. Mind cleared of cold and starvation she finally looked around the place. Was this a ?

     It would soon be destroyed.

  She then went to the library, to learn some spells. She would kill the king with knowledge stolen from here.

  She’d alert them later, revenge came first.

  Far too early for anyone to be awake wandered to a map again to find its location. It was a spectacular place. Huge and so shiny the floors reflected her face like a mirror. Looking closer saw precious gems buried into every pillar or wall. Automatically she went to take them, but stopped herself. That was not why she was here. The warmth fully restored feeling to her body and mobility. She knew she couldn’t go back out without more effective apparel, or to be weighted down with gems. She would perhaps take just a few. Digging in her nails there was no use, so getting a knife from the dining hall pried them off with sacrifice of the knife. She pocketed a few precious gems.

  Turning down corridors and up stairs this place was like a maze, but her eyes widened when she read the golden letters of ‘LIBRARY’ above large doors.

  The doors were heavy than she thought, but once opened they revealed nothing but relief. Totems. Reading the spines knew they were all genuine; these books could go for thirty or forty gold a piece! One bookshelf could make her rich! A slight smile on her lips went to section after section picking out books she thought relevant for destroying the Red Kings weapon. With books piled high in her arms she put them down before walking to another section to choose some more.

  Her ears pricked up when the door opened. Her blood ran cold and darted for the cover of a bookshelf but knew if it was them they’d already know she’s there, getting ready to kill her- ‘studying?’ Her fear decreased from how weak, or soft, it was. It was hard for her to tell. She slowly sank away from the shelf. It was a boy.

  Humphrey froze up- Dear Gods it was a girl! She let out a sign of relief; it was nothing but a student. Letting her tired legs drop back down to the floor where her books were and looked up to see who had found her. He was certainly young enough to be a student. Chubby, with blonde hair so shiny, immaculate and straight it was almost impressive. He wore long robes, not mage clothes but a normal dressing gown, which failed to hide his belly. He held a candle in its holder in his right hand, a well-worn book in his other and a staff pinned between his arm and body. He had dull-looking brown eyes and soft looking skin which probably never saw the sun for more than half an hour.

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  ‘Yeah. Studying.’ She realized to him she must have a slight southern accent, for to her he sounded northern. She took advantage of this moment. ‘I’ve… been looking through these books. I can only take one more,’ Gesturing to the few laid in front of her ‘Which is one which is the best for beginners psychic magic?’ She asked.

  The boy hesitated, even perplexed, but after a brief second he came closer and crouched down to mutter the cover titles. His staff rolled a little when he placed it on the floor. Why would he need his staff at this hour? Was he suspicious… or just a loner? Perhaps she reminded him of someone. Either way she found his suddenly tense body language off putting, he practically emanated how uncomfortable he was. He leaned closer to a look at all the covers shining in the candlelight. ‘None.’

  He joined her on the floor, kneeling. Carefully putting down the candle and showed her the book he was carrying. ‘This is the best for a first year.’ He handed her the book. It had a green-yellow front cover which shone fantastically with bright yellow words: FIRST YEARS PSY SPELLS and then in small writing and none-caps at the bottom it stated what it contained.

  Isadora felt a wave of disappointment come over her as she read, thinking even if she was able to do it would it be enough to stop the king? The boy felt her disappointment but decided to not ask anything. Feeling self conscious he rose to his feet to spot the pile of books behind her. He began taking some books out before replacing them. Isadora just watched. Quickly, he was done. ‘There, now that’ll help you relearn the first year.’ He wanted to ask why she even needed all these books, by her age she’d be a year ahead of him.

  ‘Thanks.’ She felt a weird sensation go over her and it made her sick. She disliked it significantly. She squashed the feeling easily and admired her new pile of books. ‘So, what are you doin’ in the library?’

  The boy walked to another shelf. ‘I always wake this early.’

  ‘But why come to the library?’

  ‘When I am awake I work.’

  She scoffed and rolled her eyes. ‘For the entire time you’re awake. Wouldn’t you get bored?’

  He took a while to respond, Isadora for a second thought he didn’t hear her, ‘no, I have much to do.’

  He sounded like he was only half paying attention, maybe if he wasn’t he’d realize how suspicious these questions were. Bundling up the books in her arms she dumped them into the sack of food. The boy left at the same time, nose in a new book, candle in hand, dressing gown dragging behind as his staff was held in his elbow.

  She realized when he approached her he didn’t arrive at the direction of the front doors, he emerged from somewhere else. However there was no one in the library when she arrived- did he teleport himself in?

  She mulled this over as they were walking through the corridor. However he seemed more interested in the book than her. Yet, little did she know he was far too petrified by her presence to be capable of focusing on reading. She noticed his tattoo on his temple. It was the Arctic symbol, ink black, and it wasn’t red, unlike hers.

  Clearing her throat, asked, ‘I’m wondering where I could learn unique spells?’ She noticed all the books in the library were more practical, like how to build a house or how to tell your pet to use the toilet.

  ‘Do you know of a place?’ She asked louder, thinking he wasn’t listening.

  His ears reddened, never having socialized with someone this long who wasn’t a teacher. Slowly the book closed softly, he said, ‘Umm… yes I do.’ She waited for him to elaborate- but he never did.

  ‘Well?’ She asked through gritted teeth, his shyness begun to grate on her nerves. He looked away but her eyes were so pretty. He quickly glanced around to ensure they were alone. ‘I found a secret section in the library, with directions. I don’t think the teachers even know of it. Before it became a school it must have belonged to researchers or something.’ The boy leaned in and they stopped walking, face slashed with newfound fear of what she would do with this information. ‘To something hidden. Some sort of powerful weapon.’ He leaned back.

  They went back to walking ‘you know of its location?’

  ‘Well, yes-. Wait, why do you wish to know?’ With the book shut, the boy concentrated on the girl more. She had quite dirty short hair, covered in filth, bloody scratches and bruises. Her clothes looked disguising and emitted a fowl odour. Water pooled because her shoes were filled with melting snow. Large rips of her coat made its way up to her elbows and slashed across her entire body from climbing the sharp rocks. She walked slowly, too, as if injured. Isadora saw the boys eyes dart this way and that and knew he was getting suspicious. Very suspicious.  ‘What’s your name?’ She asked, desperate to divert his attention,   ‘Humphrey. Humphrey Heath Halefall.’ He said, preoccupied. His eyes flickered to her amulet and his eyes widened! ‘You’re an intruder!’ He said with surprise.

  Isadora, if not filled with panic would have laughed- it was pretty obvious. The boy, Humphrey, began to greaten the distance between them, eyes darting to a velvet rope hanging on the wall. Isadora lunged for his hand, the books tumbling from the sack. With a firm grasp the boy started wriggling, ‘let go!’ He tried to weasel free but Isadora kept her eyes on him and grabbed his shoulders.

  ‘You don’t understand: I’m a not just a common thief… this time.’ Her grip tightened as he moved,

  ‘Ow! That hurts!’ He tried to wriggle free. All this noise was going to attract someone, if they went on alert while she was still inside she feared what they’d do to her. ‘Calm down!’ She yelled, certainly not helping herself. She had to do something quick. Her eyes latched onto a decorative plate on the wall!

  With the boy unconscious on the floor she dropped the plate with a clatter. She took a few breathes to try and calm herself. Her eyes fixated on the limp mess in front of her. She smiled sickly.