Dandrick Hallows

Dandrick didn't really deserve to spend all those years in the county prison. He was young and he was forced by the older boys to enter through the window. He was the youngest and the only one small enough to fit through the window of the cottage. It would be easy Karl said, "Just climb down and let us through the back door, the old mans not in there. He's left the village for a few days."

With butterflies in his stomach he squeezed through the window and jumped down on to the floor. It was dark in the room but he quickly saw the light coming from under the backdoor. Oh so silently he careflly made his way over to the backdoor to unlock it and let the other lads through. Just as he was about to reach the door something caught his eye through the crack of an open door.Curiosity got the better of Dandrick and he tip-toed to the door, through the crack he saw a large old book on a desk that just seemed to speak to him. Dandrick loved books, though he couldn't read as his family couldn't afford books or send him to be schooled, but he had always wondered what they held within their pages.

Dandrick ignored the shouted whispers coming from the window for him to hurry up and lent over to open the book. Just as he touched the old cover he was violently hoisted high into the air. He felt a hard cold force surrounding his neck and head but however much he struggled he couldn't free himself. He screamed but no one came to his aid.

Dandrick wasn't sure how long he hung there, 2 or 3 days at least. He was tired, hungry and uncomftable. Eventually he awoke to see the old man staring at him and he wasn't pleased. The local sheriff came round and the old man shouted furiosly for Dandrick to be tossed in the deepest dungeon and the key thrown away. As he was led out of the door he glanced back and sw in the shadows a giant humanoid shape of grey colour and standing perfectly still.

Dandrick was sent away, his parents were sad but a least it was one less mouth for them to feed. For several years he worked in the mines were you had to have your wits about you to survive. However he was fortunate to share his cell with a learned man who somehow had books delivered to him. Dandrick guessed he was some kind of magician and he took Dandrick under his wing and taught him too read. The magician told him of the special books he used to own and the magic contained within them, he owned none now but at least he could read something.

The day eventually came when Dandrick was released. He turned to his tutor and asked when he would see him again, but Dandrick somehow knew the magician would never be set free.

The world awaits Dandrick, he will never make another foolish mistake again but he will work and one day he will own some magic books of his own.