Chapter 17 The Art of Books (1/2)

Phillip hated to admit it, but the meeting between himself and Anna truly had been coincidental. Despite how he had been drawn to her that day, because of the inhumane schedule his brother had given him, Phillip had had no time for anything but business deals and goods inspections. Not to mention the myraid of parties that Varkevia had nearly every night. Finally, after months and months of adhereing to his brother's every command, Francois had released him.

”Go and take a break”.

A simple order, but Phillip had decided to take full advantage of it. He'd assembled a hunting party amongst friends and business associates and then not hesitated to ride North. Not because of Anna, though he would later claim it was so to charm her, but because Cordon was the closest human village to where the Volotun Fruits were grown. Phillip did not trust the Elves and their deal, it was simply too good to be true. And a month before, he had discovered he was right.

He'd run into an Elven Warrior who was attempting to rob their household. A bold move, Phillip had commended him for it, then asked what the hell the Voluton fruit really was.

It turned out, the Voluton fruit did exactly what was described...if you ate it once.

Indulging anymore than that, and it could have severe side effects for humans. A tid-bit Philip was not sure Francois was aware of. There was a cure, but only if it was taken within a week of the first Voluton fruit, and it would completely reverse the effects of the fruit. Together, the Elf, Gerrick, and himself had plotted to find proof of the Voluton fruit's side effects in order to present a case to his brother. Hence, his venture to Cordon.

But of course, now that he knew Anna was here, he was not going to shy away from her company.

It took a few more days, to the point where Phillip had begun staying until late at night in the Orchard reading whatever book had took his fancy, and it was on one of these occasions that Anna sought him out.

”What are you doing out here?” she'd asked.

”Reading,” Phillip had replied, ”It's peaceful here”.

”In the dark?” Anna had asked, skeptical. And she was right to be, no ordinary person could read with such faint light. In answer, Phillip had rolled up his sleeve to expose the mark on his arm. It was an image of two concentric circles, a line of block-like text in between them. Anna had squatted down with intrigue, forgetting herself as her fingers rose to trace it.

”It's so beautiful, what is it?”

Phillip cleared his throat, momentarily taken aback by her forwardness, ”It's...It's a Magician's circle. It gives me the ability to see in the dark”.

”Magicians can do that?” asked Anna with surprise.

”Light element Magicians can, for the right price,” Phillip had admitted. His had been a parting gift of the Academy for his achievements.

”I've never seen a Magician before,” Anna admitted with a frown.

Phillip smiled, ”Not even in Varkevia?”

Anna shook her head.

”I suppose Varkevia is an outlying city,” Phillip reasoned.

”What are you reading?” Anna asked, pointing to the book.

”You seem awfully talkative today, any particular reason for that?” Phillip smiled.

”Just tell me,” Anna rolled her eyes. It was at this moment, seeing that look of so many meanings in her dark eyes, that Phillip fell in love.

He turned away after he saw her blush, thanking whatever gods there were that she could not see he was blushing too.

”It's a collection of poems,” Phillip admitted, ”By Isaac Minor”.

”I've never heard of him,” Anna replied, ”Would minstrels know them? Perhaps I have heard one and didn't know it”.

Phillip doubted it. Isaac Minor was not the most optimistic of fellows.