The Shadowseeker - Victor Kloss Page 0,95
she pulled out two small envelopes. She handed one to each of them. Ben took it, trying to read Dagmar's expression, but it was like trying to read a rock.
The envelope was written in flowing script and simply read “Ben Greenwood: Exam Results, First Grade”. Ben broke the elaborate seal with a shaky finger and pulled forth a small piece of paper. He read the contents.
Name: Ben Greenwood
Exam: First Grade
Department Results:
Diplomacy: D
Scholar: C
Spellsword: A
Trade: A
Warden: B
Overall: B (pass)
Ben grinned and pumped his fist in a manner normally reserved for a last-minute victory in football. Relief and joy swept through him and he felt a weight lift from his shoulders.
“I passed!” Charlie said, staring at his paper in genuine disbelief. “I can't believe it, I was sure I had failed.”
“Congratulations to you both,” Dagmar said. Ben thought he saw a flicker of a smile, but it was gone in a flash. “I expect you to put in extra time and effort on those departments where you scored poorly.”
“Of course,” Ben said.
“You are permitted a break of up to two weeks before starting the second grade, but should you turn up any later, you will not be starting at all.”
Dagmar's typically direct warning did little to quash Ben’s or Charlie's elation.
“Now, on to other matters.” Dagmar paused for a moment, her gaze going to the door, to make sure they were truly alone. “Elizabeth's Armour. Guardians. Your parents.” She paused again, and Ben had a feeling that for once she wasn't quite sure what to say. “As the youngest member of the Greenwood family, it is your duty to find the other Guardians and re-unite everyone, bringing Elizabeth's Armour back together. There are five pieces. The boots we have; the sword we must hope your parents have safely hidden. Beyond that, you have three pieces, and their guardians, to find. Not an easy task, especially for one so young.”
“I wouldn't say no to some help,” Ben said. His flippant remark would normally have received a stern look, but not this time.
“I wish I could. However, as you know, Queen Elizabeth was very specific in not involving the Institute, and with good reason. There are a few important members who might become corrupt with the knowledge of Elizabeth's Armour, and I am too closely connected to those people.”
“I understand,” Ben said.
“I'm not finished,” Dagmar said, raising an eyebrow. “While I cannot actively help you, that doesn't mean I can't provide advice and assistance. I have experience and resources within the Institute and the Unseen Kingdoms that you will need to have any chance of success.”
“Thank you,” Ben said. “What about my parents?”
“I suspect they will attempt to return from the void only once their bodies are safe,” Dagmar said.
“Which is slightly tricky, given that they're in Suktar's palace. When will they be safe in there?”
“Once we rescue them, which we will do when we find Suktar. To do that, we need to have all the Guardians with their pieces of the Armour.”
Ben's face creased with worry. “Will they survive in the void until then?”
“If it had been anyone other than your parents, I would have said no. But your father is an extremely resourceful man, and your mother is an exceptional Spellsword.”
Dagmar's reassurance alleviated his concern, but brought forth another, more immediate problem.
“What is your plan for locating the next piece of the Armour and its Guardian?” Dagmar asked, reading Ben's mind.
“I don't have one, yet,” Ben said, exchanging a look with Charlie. “But I will.”
“No doubt,” Dagmar said. “However, you may want to take this. I believe it will help.”
Dagmar held out a photo, which Ben took, full of curiosity. “What is it?”
“That is your lead to the next Guardian, entrusted with Elizabeth's Helm.”
“This?” Ben took another look at the photo. From anyone else Ben would have assumed this a joke, but not Dagmar.
“Let me see,” Charlie said, grabbing the photo. His eyes widened to saucers. “Oh, you've got to be kidding.”
“I do not kid, Mr. Hornberger,” Dagmar said.
“No, of course not, sorry.”
Ben took another look at the photo and smiled. This was going to be interesting.
A Message From the Author
Thank you for reading Royal Institute of Magic: The Shadowseeker - I hope you enjoyed it. I am busy working on book 3 which will come out later this year (2015). If you would like to stay in touch, please visit my website at www.royalinstituteofmagic.com.
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Regards,
- Victor