The magic once lost, now found.

“I can’t believe it!” shouted a loud voice, coming from the kitchen
“Can’t believe what?” I shouted back
“Come in here for a second and I’ll show you, Allen!”
“Coming, grandfather.”
I walked through our small house –tiny enough to fit inside the smallest castle – and entered the kitchen, only to see my very old and knowledgeable grandfather at the table with a perplexed look upon his face.
“I can’t do it!” He said - with a very serious look on his face, if I may add.  Trying to contain my laughter, I replied
“Can’t do what? Did you lose the pencil again? I know how you like to forget where you put things….”
“No, you sod! I mean my magic! The power that’s passed down through our family line!” He screamed, his face holding a livid expression.  I stared at him in wonder - it’s the first time I’ve heard of anything like that!  Magic, for real? Sure, I’ve heard about it – but when I was in the marketplace during trading season!  Most of the people were talking about how they’d love to be able to cast magic and such.  Ah!  I do remember learning about it in school, very many years ago…  It went something like this:

         “Allen, pay attention! This is very important to your social life!  Now, as I was saying, magic.  One of the higher elements in the world.  Only a few special people are able to use it, and even fewer effectively.  And of those who can use it, all are of noble birth.  Of course, the one with the most powerful magic is the king – King Arias IV, to be exact.  He’s been ruling and leading this peaceful country for thirty years now…”

         My grandfather must be going insane! How can us, a lowly family of blacksmiths, be able to use magic?  If we were able to, we’d be living in a mansion, not this small hovel!
“Grandfather, what are you talking about? Magic… It’s only for the nobles – not us commoners!”
“Allen, I know I’ve always been hard on you, making you work and take care of the house and all, but it was for your own good.  The tutor was to teach you about all things political, social and historical.  The work was for you to build a strong character.  Now that you’ve grown up enough – Today’s you’re eighteenth birthday, by the way – I can tell you our secret.  You’re not really my grandson – I’m your cousin, Maerian.  A very dear friend and relative whom I fought with in the Arrian War entrusted you to me.  This person was someone of very high standing – the highest, in fact.  Your father was King Arias IV – but you weren’t born legitimately.  You know how those things go, don’t you? He was young, sensitive to the opposite sex… Short story is that he had some relations with a milkmaid and had a child – you.  He couldn’t raise you like a normal son – it’d remove him from the throne!  So he gave him to the one person he could trust with a secret so big – me.  It’s been 18 years since, and now that my magic’s gone, that means Arias’ is also.  He’ll resign from his position as king soon, I guess.”
“But King Arias doesn’t have any male children…”
“That is true, Allen.  He doesn’t have any male successors to the throne.  At least, that the nobles know about… If you’re not revealed to the world as the son of the king the peace of this country will diminish completely.”
“But what can I do! I’m only 18 and I have no control over the nobles… What if they use magic on me? I can’t do any of that stuff so they’ll just run right through me!”
“Ah, but that’s where you are wrong, young one.  The magic that we once had now belongs to you.  Soon the knowledge on how to use it will come to you, but that might take more time.  Now, prepare.  We’re leaving for the castle tomorrow.”
“But… Fine.  I know that look on your face.  I’ll do as you say.  That doesn’t mean I believe you though!”

         I ran into my room and shut the door, hopping on the bed at the same time.  I sat there for a few minutes, contemplating what I had just learned about myself – a king’s son, me? Impossible.  He said we’re going to the castle tomorrow.  I’ll just confront the king about it then.  For now, I’ll try to sleep.  As my head hit the pillow a sharp pain ran throughout my body.  Pictures and words flashed through my head, seemingly from an undiscovered alphabet.  When the searing pain stopped, I looked at myself – it seemed as if I was glowing with energy.
“Could this be magic?” I thought to myself.  Attempting to start a fire, I searched my mind for the spell, but didn’t have to recite it – just thinking about it was enough.  Suddenly, the whole of my hand burst into flame.  I stared into the blinding light, wondering about my tomorrow.

Word Count = 853