Encryption

A young girl sat in her writing chair.  Her sitting room was rather plain for her circumstances, but this is what she preferred.  She sat overlooking the window; pen in hand, fervent blue eyes staring at the snowy ground below.  1

Servants and other court members wandered slowly in the chilly air.  She watched them carefully like a falcon waiting to strike its prey.  No smile or frown crept across her face, but it remained in solidarity.  She dipped her quill pen deeply into the black ink which sat neatly at the corner of the desk.  She swirled the pen around absent-mindedly.  Her gaze then broke away from the window and she looked down at the piece of brown parchment resting by her hand.2

She put the pen to paper and began to write slowly and neatly a name.  Every letter was penned with the most caution and care and majestically swirled and curled on the paper in a perfect straight line.  She stared at it for a while, meticulously looking for any minor mistake she may have made and was careful to let the ink dry before continuing anymore of her writing.  3

Just then a knock was heard at the door and she looked up slowly from the paper and stared toward the door.  “Who calls?” she asked.4

“It is I, m’lady,” said a muffled voice of a young woman from the other side of the door.5

The girl looked once more at the piece of parchment and rolled it up neatly and placed it inside a hidden drawer inside the desk.  She placed the quill in the ink and set both ink and quill aside and walked toward her chair in the middle of the room by the hearth.  “Come in,” she finally answered.6

A young woman dressed in a plain dress came quietly into the room and closed the door behind her.  She lowered her head and gave a small but quick curtsy.  She spoke no word but waited quietly for her mistress to bid her speak.7

The girl looked her over with a seemingly icy stare.  “You may speak.”8

“M’lady I bring news from his Lordship.”9

“What news does his Lordship send?”10

“He sends word that as planned war has started on the south side of the country.  All is going according to plan.”11

“Did he mention any word of anyone else joining the fight?”12

“No…but he said he expected that some soon would…”13

“Send his Lordship a message from me.  Tell him that should any other race of peoples magical or otherwise take up this war uninvited they will answer to my wrath.  Also tell him I will hold him personally responsible if he does not eradicate such problems.”14

“Yes, m’lady.”15

“Take your leave.”16

“Yes, m’lady,” the young woman said and curtsied and left the room.  The girl in the chair smiled to herself and made her way back to the desk and the parchment inside.  She inserted her hand carefully into the secret compartment inside the desk.  She withdrew the parchment and unrolled it.  A smile crept across her face slowly as she read it over.  She took her quill pen and began to write down more words underneath the name.  “Perfect.”  She said to herself.  17

The girl then walked her way to a tall cabinet made of the darkest mahogany wood.  She opened the doors of the cabinet widely.  Inside there were many odd trinkets and items of clothing.  She removed from it a pewter stand that was made to look like a clasped crows talons holding onto something round.  She then removed a small crystal ball and placed it neatly in the talons of the pewter figure.  She placed the items in the center of a small table and closed the curtains of her sitting room.  18

Taking her seat beside the crystal ball she breathed in deeply.  She waved her hand over the glass in a trance-like state and closed her eyes.  She murmured under her breath words in a language that most people had never heard of nor would they comprehend.  She opened her eyes and stared into the glass mesmerized by what she saw.  19

In the glass she saw peaceful castle grounds with a deep well in the center.  The grounds were barren though.  She saw other castles and all looked the same as this one—barren and unpopulated.20

Next, she saw every ancient land imaginable:  the many lands of the elves, the dwarfs, the pixies and fairies, the leprechauns, the ogres and giants, the centaurs, and many more creatures. All these lands were still fully populated with the creatures that inhabited them.  This made the girl smile.  “His Lordship must have followed my command.  I can now execute my plan to the fullest extent.”21

She left the crystal ball and walked over to the piece of parchment lying on the desk.  She went to the cabinet again and removed a small book from its contents.  She opened it up.  Most of the pages were blank so it seemed.  Except for the very first page, which read:22

Whosoever shall be found in possession of this book,23

Shall be endowed with the ability to create and learn new magic,24

According to their own heart’s desire.25

The price of coming by this inheritance, whether it be by luck, chance,26

Fate or blood shall be of the utmost regrettable payment.27

Should the finder and keeper of this book and its contents choose to use it,28

They should be prepared for great consequences.29

Be careful what you use this book for.30

It can work both for good and for your own undoing.  31

There will be a spell put upon you once this book has been opened.32

Each time it is open the spell becomes of a greater force.33

After seven times, the spell is permanent and irreversible.34

You will never be able to undo the spell…unless you are able35

To find the hidden text and meaning encrypted inside these blank pages,36

Which you will only be able to do by learning as much magic as you can37

And by taking as much power as you can.38

To begin use of this book, simply find a looking glass of your choice and mount it securely on your wall. Chant these words but three times:39

Mirror, mirror, you know me well40

You’ve seen my face too oft to tell41

Behold the power of my words42

And give me knowledge by and by43

Each time I ask, you shall reply44

All it be is a simple task45

For you can see both far and wide46

Far across the countryside47

Into the past and right here at present48

And into the future if I need it confided49

And so from henceforth when I say50

This simple chant you’ll wake and stay51

And here is the chant you’ll learn from now on52

Remember it well or be broken at dawn.53

Mirror, Mirror on the wall,54

Who is the fairest of them all?55

Give me knowledge of this day by day56

For vanity is my curse now they say57

And after this question I have found out58

I’ll ask you another and your answer comply59

For I am now Queen, I want to rule all60

I am the master of those brave and small61

I am the one who will call on you last62

I am the one who will bring all to pass.63

And after repeating these words blow pixie dust on the mirror and say Now Appear!64

And the spell will be set in stone and none can reverse it, there shall be none to atone.65

And with this spell you’ll find your curse is well writ.66

Yes, you will be vain and though such a curse seems so small,67

Remember the Romans, they too, had their fall.68