Talk To Dragons

The princess had offered to fetch any help that Violet might need for her research, but the little witch wanted no such assistance. She could finally have a relaxing moment with the Wokren book, without feeling obligated or judged. Although she was quite sleepy, she sat on a bench in the front garden of the mansion with Engel falling asleep next to her. She had enough curiosity to fend off sleep for a bit.

"The warmth of the sun is so nice right now," Engel said, yawing deeply.

"You're such a lazy thing," Violet teased him. "Not much of a ferocious dragon are you?"

Violet blinked a bit in confusion.

"Have you always been black?" she questioned.

"No, my color changes," Engel replied, barely awake. "My grandfather said that Sii dragons used to have camouflage in their scales, but it was unnecessary for so long that we lost control of it. Now I just sort of vary between gray and black. Did you think you were going mad?"

"A little bit, yes," Violet admitted.

Taking off her witch hat for a moment, Violet reached inside and retrieved the Wokren book. She had hid the literature in the magical emptiness of her headgear; a quirk of her clothing she had only remembered when she needed it. She looked to Engel, hoping for an impressed response, but he had disappointingly fallen asleep.

Just as before, the book translated itself on demand. Violet wasn't sure what she was looking for exactly, as she examined the complicated symbol the author used to personalize the first page. A book of the dark arts would surely have something that she could use to their advantage against an enemy, but misuse would have dire consequences.

Behind the cover page there was a letter to the reader from Bassa Frae. It had not been recognized earlier due to the language barrier.

Hello, Young Hat,

Congratulations on acquiring my book, the Varaniestrev. There can be no other reason that you have this tome of knowledge other than my own death. A witch's book of dark arts is sacred. We each have our tricks and secrets. I kept this book on my person at all times, century after century. No one is to ever know the deep workings of a witch's magic. To know such things spells certain doom for her.

But that won't matter to me anymore. Now, it is your responsibility to safeguard this book. If you learn everything there is within these pages, you will become as powerful as I, Bassa Frae. You will be a god among ants. You will be feared by all, if that is what you wish.

The dark arts of witches are only for nefarious means. Only the spells of children are innocent and safe. The Varaniestrev holds instructions for death and decay. Malice and anger are its fuel. Pain and anguish are its rewards. You hold the power to bring the world to its knees, just as I brought in an age of plague.

Good luck.

-Bassa Frae

Violet took in a deep breath and closed the book, blinking heavily.

"I think I'll take a nap after all," she said to herself.