Chapter 1

The castle walls seemed to close in around me as the reality of the situation sank in. Black magic. The words echoed in my mind, laden with fear and the weight of centuries-old laws. It was not just forbidden; it was a curse that carried the heaviest of penalties.

Wayfarer had a long and tumultuous history with black magic. Centuries ago, during the dark reign of King Halric the Mad, black magic had nearly destroyed our kingdom. Practitioners of this dark art wielded power over life and death, and their unchecked ambition led to widespread suffering. Halric had used black magic to prolong his life and subdue his enemies, but the toll it took on the land and its people was catastrophic. Famine, plague, and endless wars plagued Wayfarer until a coalition of nobles and sorcerers united to overthrow him. In the aftermath, black magic was outlawed, and any who practiced it were hunted down and executed to prevent such a tragedy from ever occurring again.

The punishment for even being associated with black magic was severe. Entire families were wiped out to ensure the dark knowledge did not persist. The council was duty-bound to enforce these laws, and any accusation of black magic required incontrovertible proof. Without it, I risked not only my life but the lives of everyone I held dear.

I couldn't let fear paralyze me, but I also couldn't rush headlong into an accusation without evidence. As I lay awake in my chambers that night, a plan began to form. I needed to investigate from within, without drawing attention to myself or raising suspicion. The best way to do that was to disappear and become someone else. I needed to become Victor.

I rose early the next morning and summoned Evelyn to my chambers. She had been my closest confidante for as long as I could remember, and I trusted her completely.

"Evelyn, I need your help," I began, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.

"What is it, Victoria?" she asked, concern etched on her face.

"I need to leave Aeloria, but not as myself. I need to disguise myself as a man and join the new recruits. It's the only way I can gather the evidence we need without putting everyone at risk."

Evelyn's eyes widened in shock, but she quickly composed herself. "That's incredibly dangerous, but if anyone can pull it off, it's you. What do you need me to do?"

"Help me with the disguise. We need to make sure no one recognizes me," I said.

We spent the rest of the day preparing. Evelyn transformed one of the smaller chambers into a makeshift workshop, gathering all the materials we would need. She altered some of my old clothes, making them fit for a young man. I watched as she worked, her hands moving deftly with needle and thread.

"This is going to be difficult," Evelyn said as she worked. "You'll need to change the way you walk, the way you talk. Everything."

"I know," I replied. "But it's the only way."

Once the clothes were ready, we turned our attention to my appearance. Evelyn cut my hair short, a drastic change that made me almost unrecognizable. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, taking in the transformation. It was startling how different I looked.

"We'll also need to do something about your voice," Evelyn said, handing me a small vial of a herbal concoction. "Drink this. It will slightly alter your voice. Not enough to harm you, but just enough to make you sound different."

I hesitated for a moment, then took the vial and drank. The liquid was bitter, and I felt a slight tingling sensation in my throat. When I spoke again, my voice was a bit deeper, more resonant.

"How do I sound?" I asked, testing the new voice.

"Perfect," Evelyn said with a satisfied nod. "No one will recognize you now."

I looked at my reflection one last time, taking in the changes. I was no longer Victoria, princess of Wayfarer. I was Victor, a common man ready to join the ranks of the kingdom's recruits.

"Thank you, Evelyn," I said, embracing her. "I couldn't have done this without you."

"Be careful, Victor," she replied, her eyes filled with worry. "I'll cover for you as best as I can, but you need to stay safe."

"I will," I promised. "I'll find the truth, and I'll bring justice for my father."

With that, I made my way to the council chamber for one final meeting. I needed to make sure my departure was convincing.

"Council members," I began, addressing the assembled advisors. "The grief of my father's death has taken a toll on me. I need time to heal and gather my strength. I will be leaving Aeloria for a while, to seek solace and clarity."

The council members exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of concern and understanding.

"We understand, Princess Victoria," Lord Cedric said. "Take all the time you need. We will manage the affairs of the kingdom in your absence."

"Thank you," I replied, my heart heavy with the weight of my deception. "I will return when I am ready."

With that, I left the council chamber, my heart pounding. The next phase of my plan was about to begin.

The new recruits were being gathered in the training grounds just outside the castle. I joined the throng of young men, blending in seamlessly thanks to Evelyn's handiwork. The atmosphere was tense, filled with the nervous energy of those about to embark on a new chapter of their lives.

An officer barked orders, lining us up and inspecting each recruit. When he reached me, he gave me a once-over, his eyes lingering on my face.

"Name?" he demanded.

"Victor," I replied, keeping my voice steady and confident.

He grunted and moved on, apparently satisfied. I let out a silent sigh of relief. The first hurdle had been cleared.

The days that followed were grueling. Training was intense, designed to test our endurance and skills. I had always been physically fit, but this was a new level of exertion. I pushed myself to keep up, to prove my worth among the recruits.

As Victor, I made an effort to blend in, to observe and gather information without drawing attention. I befriended some of the other recruits, learning about their backgrounds and aspirations. One of them, a burly young man named Gareth, became a close companion.

"Victor, you're surprisingly strong for someone your size," Gareth remarked one day as we sparred. "Where did you train before this?"

"Here and there," I replied vaguely, not wanting to give too much away. "My family moved around a lot."

"Well, you're a quick learner," Gareth said with a grin. "You'll do just fine here."

I smiled back, grateful for his friendship. Having allies within the ranks would be crucial for my mission.

During the evenings, after the day's training was done, I would slip away to a secluded spot and jot down any useful information I had gathered. Names, conversations, suspicions—I recorded everything meticulously, knowing that even the smallest detail could be significant.

One night, as I was making my notes, I heard a rustle in the bushes. I froze, my heart pounding. Had someone followed me?

"Victor?" a voice whispered.

I turned to see Evelyn, her face partially hidden by the shadows. Relief washed over me.

"What are you doing here?" I whispered back, glancing around to make sure no one else was nearby.

"I had to see you," she replied, her voice urgent. "There's been a development."

"What kind of development?" I asked, my pulse quickening.

"Lord Cedric has been meeting with someone in secret," Evelyn said. "I don't know who it is, but they've been very careful to avoid being seen. I thought you should know."

"Thank you, Evelyn," I said, my mind racing. "I'll look into it. But you need to be careful. If anyone sees you here…"

"I know," she said. "Just promise me you'll stay safe."

"I promise," I said, squeezing her hand. "Now go, before someone notices you're gone."

Evelyn nodded and slipped back into the shadows, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Lord Cedric's secret meetings were troubling, and I needed to find out who he was meeting and why.

The next day, I paid closer attention to Lord Cedric's movements, watching for any sign of his clandestine activities. It wasn't easy, given the rigorous training schedule, but I managed to catch glimpses of him speaking in hushed tones with a cloaked figure near the stables.

I couldn't risk getting too close, so I decided to wait for the right moment to confront him. In the meantime, I continued to gather information, keeping my true identity hidden.