How to make a magic book
Daniel got back on his feet again and stepped a bit further away from the edge of the platform.
Just in case.
When his feet touched the ground, a part of it lit up.
”Oh, what have I done now...? Don't tell me, you placed land mines here?”
“What mines? You just stepped on a magic rune. No harm done.”
Daniel felt relieved, while Durin explained:
“This is my work space. I make magically enhanced paper here. That's what these engravings on the ground are for.”
He flew over to a stack of wooden boxes and pulled out a few loose pages and a bottle with a glowing, dark blue liquid in it. It was labelled in a different language, incomprehensible for the human. The fairy showed them to Daniel.
“This paper here is already enhanced and ready for spell pouring. You can tell by tearing it apart.”
He gave him one page.
“Try it.”
Daniel raised a brow and tried to rip the paper. It was very though and durable. When he finally managed to put a tear in it, the edges glowed golden for a while before they turned ashen grey.
“Ok, so magic paper glows when torn.”
“Well, yes, you could say it like that too...”
Durin pointed at the ground where an array of cryptic signs was engraved. “And this is the so-called 'recording circle'.” He placed one of the paper sheets in the middle.
“First you put the pages into this circle here and pour some ink on it.” Daniel sceptically watched him but the fairy ignored him and continued.
“Then I stand on the other circle over here.” A few steps away there was another, similar but bigger circle in which Durin made a pin-point accurate landing.
“Now everything is ready for the spell pouring. And we should be quick about it. It needs to be done before the ink dries.”
He drew his wand again. “All I have to do now is to perform the spell that I want to be absorbed by the page. The recording circle will automatically record the spell and the ink will arrange itself into properly readable summoning text.”
He flipped his wand around and again the air compressed itself. This time not to produce a whirlwind but to heat up until a fireball formed in mid-air. At the same time the ink splat started moving on paper and aligned itself on the page. Once the ink settled in the right position, its glow disappeared and Durin let the fireball dissolve.
“Now, it's your turn.”
Daniel raised a brow. “You know I can't do magic.”
Durin shook his head. “Magic isn't 'done', it's performed. But even non-magic commoners can perform spells. These magic books were made for people without magic talents. Anyone can activate a spell simply by reading the text on the page. Since the signs are made of magic ink, the text they form is readable in any language. You should be able to read it as well. Just make sure to speak loud and clearly, and don't get the pronunciation or timing wrong. Otherwise, you'll end up like Florette.”
He picked up the freshly made page and gave it to the human. “Try it.”
Daniel hesitated. “Do I have to? I'd rather not have another 'accident'...”
“It's fine. I am here. Besides, you're going to need it if you want to go with the Scouts.”
“What will I need a fireball for? It's not just for a campfire, is it? Are they fighting something?”
“... Yes... but we don't fight much with open fire. It's too risky for our wings. We only use fire for melting materials in a transportable shape or for warding off wild animals.”
“But you do fight?”
“... Yes.” The fairy responded reluctantly.
“Against what?” Daniel immediately asked. It felt like this question could be crucial.
Durin paused, thinking a bit. “It... depends.”
Daniel crossed his arms, tapping one foot. ”If I'm going to tag along with a Scout Team, I will need to know what we're fighting against.”
Durin sighed. “True... It's just a bit... complicated.”
“How so?” Daniel asked impatiently.
“Oh, it changes all the time. Sometimes it's elves, sometimes dwarfs, sometimes the mushmen... And Scouts travel through uninhabited areas where beasts and other unfriendly creatures linger.”
“Sounds like your kind has many enemies...”
Durin smiled awkwardly.
“It's best if you let the Scouts explain the details...”
“Fine, then I'll ask them later. But I get the basic idea.”
Daniel rolled up his sleeves. “Let's try this 'spell'.” He inspected the page in his hands, took a deep breath and shouted the words written before him: “Ignis pila!”
The spell activated and the letters on the paper began to glow again. Heat accumulated and a fireball formed in front of Daniel.
“Oh, it worked...” Surprised he turned towards Durin and the flame started staggering.
“Careful! Don't get distracted mid-spell. Try directing it at something via hand movement.” The fairy made a gesture, opening and closing his hand while he pointed at a makeshift practice target that hanged on a branch next to the platform.
“If you say so...” Daniel raised his hand and copied the gesture. The fire ball slowly followed his movement. “This needs a bit of training but it's not too difficult. Though it would be easier with a wand... that's unfortunately not very compatible with spell pages.”
“I see, so...” Daniel wanted to ask something but a loud screeching followed by the sound of ringing bells interrupted him.
The deep sound echoed through the tree tops and the birds took flight, fleeing the scene.
“What- What's going on now??”
“A griffin attack! Quick, hide behind the boxes!”
