Read The Magician's Cloak :: Cat of Destiny (3)

I feel Nola's gaze on me, urging me to open the box. But I hesitate. My father always told me stories of his adventures as a magician. His service at the court of the sun king. But he never revealed much. He always kept most things to himself. Always mysterious, evasive.

The crest on the lid of the box is a symbol I recognize very well. It's his. Or rather ours. He told me to remember it always while drawing it on the ground to show me. He told me to stand proud to be from the house of Solaris. I look at the box one more time, trying to grasp what is in front of me. This holds the final belongings of my father.

Nola hops of my head and starts scaracting me with her sharp claws. I get the hint, so I extend my hand and gently lift the lid. I was expecting to see treasures worthy of the man who boasted to stand on top of all the magic users in the world.

I feel baffled. The box contains things that are not shiny and glamorous at all. They are seem dull and dusty. At the very top of the stack of things was metal object. It is as big as my hand and has a curved base. It widens out and then narrows to a sharp tip. A spiral design runs along it's sides. While a blue orb at the base glow faintly. I can tell that it's meant to spread open, but I can't find a way to do it. Even my thin, long nails are too big to fit in the gaps.

I study the device, trying to figure out what sort of treasure it could secretly be, but I have no clue. I set it aside and keep digging for more items. There is a huge key that is very heavy. So much so that I can only pull it to the ground, using all my strength. It was designed fairy simple. Even simpler than the previous item. What's all of this?

But I am immediately amazed by what I see. Under the piece of cloth the key sat on, there are pouches of lirat! Money! And so much of it! It was worth the effort to drag the key out. I estimate how much they might be worth and it's a huge sum, probably enough to buy our home 10,000 over! I want to say it's an understatment but we are not really worth a lot. There were also a bunch of jewelry of all sorts, ranging from bracelts, necklaces and rings, and more. They were made of stuff I could only dream of. Is this gold? Is this diamond? Is this a ruby? I haven't the slightest clue but I am sure everything is precious.

My moment of euphoria fades as I notice a letter after taking out the jewlery. It has large words on the front, 'To my beloved'.

I grab it and open it, trembling.

"My beloved child, The day you open this letter must mean either you've come of age or, which I fear the most, Nola has sensed that a terrible danger is coming your way. I want you to understand that you were never meant to be a part of something greater. This is a fact you must keep in your heart. However, in my absence I must depend on you, my Hetia.

Go to the capital. There look for the workshop of my friend, Augustus. You must give him the lotus. A mechanical item you shouldn't miss. The necklaces and bracelts should be delievered to him. And the key. Do not fret. I know you cannot handle the key but something will support you to do so. The most important of item of all. Beneath this letter, a piece of clothing marked with symbols and drawings you are unfamilar with. It looks worn and old but I assure you, it is desired by all of Farnaix and even beyond. My cloak.

Put it on immediately after you read this. Never remove it until your reach the capital. And remember this, you are the only one who can wear it. I know your potential. I know you will grow to wish things you do not have. But, this is my last gift for you. An experince which will be engraved in your memory forever. I am sorry for not providing you with the best life you would've imagined from me, but trust me when I say I did try to provide you with the very best I, as your father, could offer. I loved you, and still love you while in death. Good luck on your journey and always, stay safe.

Your father,

Leonard Uther Solaris"