Page 32 of Foresyth Conservatory
“Well, I don’t have a Skorn deck,” I said.
“The Foresyth archives have it,” Nina said.
“First years aren’t allowed into the archives, and second years need explicit permission. You’ll have to make an appeal to the Advisors Council to lend you a deck for your proposal,” the Meister said. “Don’t look so worried; they meet monthly. I’m sure they’ll have time to hear your proposal next week.”
Meeting the Advisors? That sounded mortifying. I bet they would have all of Aspen’s pompous zeal and none of the Meister’s even tolerance.
“I’ve done it before; I can help you prepare. That is, if you help me with dating some materials,” Leone offered.
“Of course, I’d be happy to,” I replied, swallowing the lump in my throat. Who were these elusive Advisors, and how was I going to survive being picked apart by them? If I refused, I wouldn’t have a research topic, and the otherswould quickly realize that I was a fraud who didn’t belong here. There was no way out of this for me.
“Very well . . . Leone will help you make the appeal. Your proposal has been conditionally approved, granted that the Council will approve your access to the archives to borrow the Skorn deck.”
I sighed, sinking deeper into my chair. I had survived Circle, hadn’t upset any of the students or the Meister, but it came at the cost of paving my future with even more impediments. I hoped Leone would be good for his word and help me prepare for the Council, lest they eat me alive.
After we closed Circle, I strode back down to the library. It was never too late to get a head start on the next day’s materials. I had another research project to prepare for, thanks to the Meister’s interest in Norse mythology. Besides, I needed the others to see me going to the library to prevent suspicion about my meeting with Sequoia later tonight. I began taking the books out of my bag, stacking them on top of one another on my desk.
I stopped when I got to the first editionBook of Skorn.
“Why did you have to go and make me promise to do magick?” I muttered to it, skimming the pages I had earmarked. I flipped back to the front to check the date of publication.
My heart dropped when I came to the title page. Not only was the book signed by Aleric Khorvyn himself, but there was a distinct marking drawn at the bottom of his signature, hand-drawn. I traced the tail of the serpent, all the way up to the head of a lion. It was the same symbol I had found on the back of the picture frame.
This lion serpent was what Julian had pointed to with his dead body.The Book of Skornwas undoubtedly linked to Julian’s death.
The Acolyte & The Alchemist: Part III
The pen was a symbol, Quill thought. Or perhaps, an omen.
Whatever it was, he knew one thing for certain—Hamra would rewrite his Fate, one way or another.
Now, when they spent time in the library, they were no longer confined to their separate worlds. Instead, they began to share one. They read the same books, collaborated on the same papers, alternating who would take first authorship. Their work was so prolific that, one day, the Council summoned them to a meeting to discuss their potential as future Advisors.
“You have collectively submitted twelve manuscripts in the last six months,” a Councilman with a wispy mustache said, peering down at them from the dais. “That is the most in the College’s history.”
Quill swallowed his nerves, stealing a glance at Hamra. He had no experience with men in robes or wispy mustaches. Hamra smiled up at them.
“We are honored by your praise, Lord Councilman,” she said, casting a brief look at Quill. “We hope to bring pride to Foresyth.”
“You two are well on your way to becoming excellent Advisors,” said a younger Councilman, his beard full where the other’s was sparse. “We wished to extend our praise, and to ask if there is anything the Council might do to further support your studies.”
“We feel quite supported—” Quill began.
“What my colleague means to say,” Hamra interjected smoothly, “is that we extend our deepest gratitude. And, so that we may continue our research into the ceremonial practices of early Gnostic sects, it would be of great benefit to gain access to the archives.”
Silence fell across the chamber.
Quill turned sharply to Hamra, mortified. The archives were strictly for Advisors—the practitioners of magick. They housed private collections of journals, accounts of ceremonial rites, and, more than that, artifacts—summoning boards, pendulums, priceless relics. No student had ever been granted entry.
The eldest Councilman folded his hands. “We will consider your request.”
And so, history was rewritten.
Addendum to theHandbook, December 24th, 1893:
“In light of recent events, students are strictly prohibited from engaging in the practice of magick without the explicit authorization of the Council. As a reminder, Foresyth stands as an academic institution devoted to the stewardship of magickal history, art, and knowledge. Practical applications of magick are approved solely in instances that contribute to the scholarly advancement of the school and are not to be pursued for personal purposes.”
–Foresyth Student Handbook, 1920 edition
