Dagger To The Heart

Chapter 2

Aelius Kumar

Many, if not all of my village, knows my name, the saviour that I am. A boy who won't hesitate to heal a stab wound to the heart.

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"You incompetent boy!" My father yells. "What do you mean you burnt down the bakery?" He slams his staff on the table when I don't respond and I flinch, afraid I'll be hit next.

"It was an accident. I tried to do a baking enchantment, but it ended up in flames." My father pinches the space between his eyes, shaking his head in disappointment.

"First, it's sneaking off to the capital, now, it's burning down a building in your own village!"

"It was a mistake!"

"You were a mistake!" My father shouts. "Go to bed Aelius. I'll deal with you in the morning."

Dragging my feet, I head to my room, the dim moonlight illuminating the dark. Lighting I candle in the corner, I flip open my book, finding the page I last read.

Guilt gnaws at me, the memory of the flames engulfing the building still haunting my mind. It truly was an accident. I'd never purposefully burn down the bakery. Then there's my father who doesn't help the situation at all, scolding me any second he gets. My mother passed away giving birth to me, and now he blames me for her death. I do too, if I hadn't been born, she'd still be alive.

Ironic how I killed my mother, yet my talent is healing enchantments.

Enchanters, humans who posses the power to use the magic inside them. Everyone has it, but only few know how to master it. For most humans, their magic stays in a deep slumber inside their soul, but for others, it bursts out of them like fireworks.

Willowhaven is the home of the enchanters, protected and hidden by the Silvergrove Woods, a forest filled with magic.

People of Luenia avoid these woods, saying it's cursed. Well, they aren't too far off.

Enchanters and demons both can use magic, but demons use dark magic, reaching to hell to activate their powers. Enchanters reach inside their soul to bring out their magic, it's entirely pure.

Unfortunately, no one in Luenia is willing to listen and understand. They choose to live in fear rather than acceptance, blaming magic for the reason of the curse.

Malakar's curse, the devil of demon's who escaped years ago. Nearly everyone has given up on trying to free the world of this curse, but not me.

My friend, Livia, who's been blessed with the talent of foresight, has been working with me to find a way to save Luenia.

Though, it's easier said than done. Seer's magic is unpredictable and hard to tame. No enchanter can willfully see into the future, but we're hoping Livia can be the first.

Then there's me, the last healer in Willowhaven. It's as easy as breathing and rather useful, but I want more of a challenge.

Enchanters have their set talents, but they can do basic tricks outside their field of expertise. I suppose trying to bake a pie with magic is beyond my capabilities.

There's a tap on the window. Blowing my candle out, I rush over, slipping out of it and into the cover of darkness. I find Livia crouching in the bushes, twigs tangled in her red hair. Her freckles are barely noticeable in the dark, though her green eyes still shimmer.

"I found a fountain, Aelius," Livia whispers. "It's in the forest. I think this might help us!" I nod, letting her lead the way out of the village.