Belvedor and the Four Corners (Belvedor Saga Book 1) by Ashleigh Bello

head.
    “Well, it would appear that you did. In my experience with life and death, it’s much simpler to be consumed by the unrelenting darkness. It’s always easier to just let go. The real struggle is holding on to what little light has been left to us.” He feigned grasping the air and opened his fist to reveal nothing. “Those of us who never let it out of our view are sometimes gifted second chances at the world.” He winked a blue eye at her as she tried to process his riddle.
    Considering his words for a moment, Arianna decided to dig deeper for answers.
    “Master Churry, do I have you to thank for my life?”
    “Well, that I can’t answer.” He tilted his head, bemused as he continued, “I suppose I am the sorcerer that beckoned the light which guided you here. I did not, however, direct its path by any means. Nor did I choose the path for you to follow.”
    She wanted to trust this man as Solomon had said, but he made it very difficult. His words baffled her.
    “Forgive me, but how can you summon a light into my subconscious?” she said, almost in giggles at her illogical questions. The thrill of such forbidden talk lightened her temper a little as she continued to play along. 
    “Hmm… this will take much time to explain. Why don’t I start a pot of tea?”
    “Please, let me,” said Arianna. She pushed herself off the bed. Her body felt tense and she wobbled at the sensation. Moving towards the small stove near the back of the room, she lit the gas to start boiling the water in the kettle. As it heated, she sat at the foot of the bed like a child, waiting for a story to be told before sleep.
    “I’ll start somewhere near the beginning, I suppose. As I’ve already confided to you, I am a sorcerer of sorts, mostly talented in the art of healing,” said Talis.
    Arianna clung to his words.
    “My duty is much like that of Master Bell. I train a young woman such as yourself. I’m a notable figure in my area of expertise. Do you follow?”
    Arianna nodded. So he is from the Jar.
    “What do you know of magic, girl?” he asked. Arianna snapped back to reality from her wandering mind. Magic ? Sorcerers ? Her reflexes flinched at the words, but, after a moment, she answered the question.
    “Well, in the Learning Center, the educators only taught us that the notion of magic comes from an old fable thought up by those who let their imaginations run astray. These people aren’t fit for our world,” she said. “Those who told the lies and stories that alluded to a strange existence before King Devlindor have been, and will continue to be, eradicated from the Olleb. That’s why the subject is so forbidden.” She chewed on her bottom-lip as she gazed to the ceiling. “Yet, I’m still quite unsure of what magic is really supposed to mean, even if it is just part of someone’s wrongful fantasy. I’ve heard different tales here and there of such talk, of magic making the impossible happen, but they’re just old stories made up to defy the law. They’re not real.” She peered into her childhood for the scarce information. “Actually, I know nothing of a life before King Devlindor, but, if this so-called magic did ever exist, it doesn’t anymore.” She knew it was all just an elaborate lie regardless.
    “Well, take a guess. What do you suppose it means?” Arianna laughed nervously, the subject matter making her paranoid.
    “I suppose, if I had to make a theory, I would say magic was something intangible to the touch since it’s linked to the mind.” She remembered Solomon’s words. A mind is a mystery to both man and magic…
    Talis nodded.
    Arianna continued, “And it must be uncontrollable if the King felt the need to make the topic punishable to speak of, even it was only a figment of someone’s imagination. He controls everything, even life,” she said. Her brow furrowed. Even now, her life sat in his hands.
    Talis nodded his head in agreement, his expression solemn. “A wise