Wielder Of Fate

Chapter 2: Deathday

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Most children celebrate their twelfth birthday surrounded by family and presents. But for me it’s the day I have been dreading for the last three years. 

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13th March 1397

Bang, Bang, Bang! The Headmistress is coming.

I would usually snicker at the thundering noise she makes when walking up the creaky, old stairs. But not today. 

I know that today, in place of her usual condescending sneer, would be a simple, but repulsive smile. For today, there would be no reason for her not to smirk at the sight of my quivering state. After all, she had finally prevailed in her three year quest advocating for my execution. As today is the day the administration will capture me, and hang me in the town square.

“Can you already taste the rope, eh Nerith ?” remarked Headmistress Gale. 

Calmly, I turned to look directly into her solemn eyes. Everything about her being was repulsive. The many hours spent beating children inside her vile lair had resulted in her skin becoming inhumanly pasty, which loathsomely contrasts with her dark, grimy hair, that shone especially abhorrant under the last strands of moonlight. 

Most days, I had attempted to remain somewhat courteous to the headmistress’ snide remarks, mainly just to escape her beatings. Today was not one of those days.

“Hearing your voice makes me wish I was already tasting the rope” I replied.

“You will be taken by the legion at noon. That gives you… seven more hours to clean your room” She smirked.

My hatred towards that woman cannot be understated.

Gazing around the room, I realized I was going to miss almost everything about it. Over the past three years it had become a sort of haven, to escape the endless abuse from the headmistress and the other foul teachers. 

The next three hours I spent reading the smuggled books sent by my brother Lor. they depicted detailed sketchings and explanations on magical spells, items, foods and monsters. I figured that my best chance of escape would be through honing my magical abilities. Not that they were strong enough to even take on one knight from the legion. 

I had always wished my magical aptitude was higher, like my brother’s. I had even taken to lie about my abilities to anyone who asked, even my brother Lor. He believes that I am some overly powerful fire mage, like him, that could take down even the strongest legion knight. 

“Every time i get mad it flares up and threatens the safety of myself and the orphanage” Is what I had told my brother in the note I sent today. Unfortunately for me, I can barely conjure a flame the size of a match. Let alone threaten our whole orphanage. 

The clock’s bell’s struck eight times. Breakfast is ready.

Maneuvering through the complex labyrinth of corridors had always been a challenge. The legion demanded I was kept in the most secluded area of the castle as i was a ‘high level threat’. I tried to plead that I couldn’t even muster an actual flame, but they wouldn’t listen, i had a magical aptitude and that’s all that they could see.

After what felt like hours of walking, I finally approached the grand hall. Children of all ages chatted together without a care in the world. Not that they were any different to me, the legion would kill them all in due time.

I strolled through the main passageway between tables towards my normal seat secluded from the rest of the school. No one would want to sit with me today, just like on any other day. Even among the rest of the freaks here being bred for slaughter a person with magical abilities was strange.

The only other magical person in the school was killed just weeks ago. Not that we ever saw her, the legion dubbed her an ‘extreme’ level threat. I heard that she was an absolute kook, even by my standards.

Her name was Jasmine Emiline.