A Darker Shade of Magic
Chapter 20: Thieves Meet I
by Schwab, V. E.The chapter opens with the distant tolling of London’s bells at eight o’clock, their sound echoing across the city until it reaches a frozen figure in the Ruby Fields. The man, marked with an X on his hand and clutching a stolen royal sword, is encased in a strange shell of ice or stone. As the bells fade, cracks begin to form across the casing, signaling the beginning of its dissolution. The shell, created by an Antari’s magic, had trapped the man after he ignored a command to stop, setting the stage for his eerie transformation.
The shell breaks apart in an unnatural manner, not crumbling away but instead seeping into the man’s body. The magic absorbs into his skin and veins, leaving his eyes fully black and his veins darkened like ink. The man’s resistance had been stripped by a prior compulsion spell, allowing the dark magic to take hold of his entire being. As he regains movement, the sword slips from his grasp, and his empty, black-eyed gaze surveys the alley, revealing the corpse of another cutthroat nearby, lifeless and beyond salvage.
The man—now a vessel for something darker—awakens with a shudder, his body animated by the invading magic. His movements are initially unsteady, as if unfamiliar with his own form, but he quickly gains confidence. The chapter emphasizes the transformation’s grotesque nature, as the magic consumes the remnants of his life force, leaving only a dark, burning core. His black eyes gleam as he takes in his surroundings, drawn toward the lights and laughter of a nearby building, hinting at his sinister intentions.
The chapter concludes with the transformed man striding purposefully toward the illuminated building, his posture now assured and his face twisted into a smile. The contrast between the cheerful sounds of laughter and the man’s malevolent presence creates an unsettling tension. The scene suggests an impending threat, as the possessed man, now a puppet of dark magic, moves toward an unsuspecting target, leaving the reader to anticipate the consequences of his awakening.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the “X” on the man’s hand and the stolen royal sword?
Answer:
The “X” on the man’s hand and the stolen royal sword are key symbols that hint at his identity and past actions. The “X” could be a mark of criminality, magic, or a specific faction, suggesting he is an outlaw or marked for a purpose. The royal sword, described as “stolen,” implies he has committed theft or rebellion against authority, possibly tying him to a larger conflict. These details create intrigue about his background and foreshadow his transformation under the compulsion spell, where his identity is overtaken by dark magic.2. How does the magic in this chapter function, and what are its effects on the frozen man?
Answer:
The magic originates from a black stone wielded by the Antari, responding to his command (“Stop”) despite the attacker’s defiance. It encases the man in a shell that later cracks and absorbs into his body rather than shattering. The magic seeps into his veins, darkening them like ink, and overtakes his consciousness, turning his eyes fully black. This suggests the magic is parasitic or corrupting, consuming his life force (“once-red core of life now burning pure and dark”) and repurposing his body as a vessel. The process highlights the invasive, irreversible nature of the spell.3. Analyze the contrast between the man’s initial frozen state and his later movements. What does this reveal about the entity controlling him?
Answer:
Initially, the man is immobilized, trapped in a shell of magic, but after the spell absorbs into him, his movements evolve from halting and unsteady (“as a man unused to his body”) to confident and purposeful. This progression suggests the entity inside him is adapting quickly, learning to manipulate his form efficiently. The contrast emphasizes the entity’s alien nature—it is not human, yet it mimics human behavior (e.g., smiling, striding toward laughter) to blend in or hunt. The shift also underscores the loss of the original man’s autonomy, replaced by a predatory force.4. What role do sensory details (e.g., bells, laughter, lanterns) play in establishing the chapter’s tone?
Answer:
The sensory details create a haunting juxtaposition between normalcy and horror. The bells and laughter evoke a lively, familiar urban setting, while the frozen man’s transformation unfolds in the shadows. The “lanterns lit in the windows” and “promising” laughter contrast sharply with the man’s black eyes and parasitic magic, heightening the unease. This duality suggests danger lurking beneath surface tranquility, reinforcing themes of corruption and deception. The bells, specifically, frame the scene temporally and symbolically, marking the moment the spell begins to break.5. Why might the author describe the magic as “burning pure and dark,” and how does this relate to the chapter’s themes?
Answer:
The oxymoron “pure and dark” reflects the twisted nature of the magic: it is potent and all-consuming (“pure” in its efficiency) but morally corrupt (“dark”). This duality ties into themes of power and corruption—the magic is a tool that obeys its wielder’s intent (the Antari’s command) but warps life irreversibly. The description also foreshadows the entity’s predatory behavior; it thrives by draining life, rendering the man’s body a vessel for something inhuman. The phrase encapsulates the chapter’s exploration of magic as both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
Quotes
1. “A man with an X on the back of his hand and a stolen royal sword still raised above his head. A man trapped in ice, or stone, or something stranger.”
This vivid description introduces the mysterious, frozen figure—a pivotal character in the chapter. The imagery of the X-marked hand and stolen sword hints at his significance, while “something stranger” foreshadows the supernatural elements at play.
2. “‘Stop,’ the young Antari had ordered his attacker, and the attacker had not listened, but the magic had.”
This quote reveals the power dynamics and magic system in the story. The Antari’s command being obeyed only by magic (not the attacker) underscores the eerie, sentient nature of the spell and its consequences.
3. “The once-frozen man shuddered, then took a breath. The royal half-sword slipped from his fingers and clattered to the stones as the last shimmering drops of magic glistened like oil on his skin before sinking in.”
This moment marks the chapter’s turning point as the frozen man awakens. The visceral description of magic absorbing into his body (“like oil”) creates a haunting transition from paralysis to possession.
4. “The compulsion spell already cast on him had stripped the man’s resistance and allowed the other magic to slip right in, through vein and brain and muscle, taking hold of everything it touched, the once-red core of life now burning pure and dark.”
This explains the dark transformation’s mechanics, showing how magic corrupts the man’s body and soul. The contrast between “once-red” life and “pure and dark” burning illustrates the irreversible supernatural takeover.
5. “His black eyes shone, slick against the dry dark as he surveyed the alley… His posture straightened, and his legs strode toward the lights of the nearest building. The man’s mouth drew into a smile.”
The chapter’s chilling conclusion shows the possessed man’s predatory awakening. His movement toward laughter and light—paired with black eyes and a smile—creates unsettling juxtaposition, foreshadowing danger.