Author's Note: This is my first fanfiction ever! Eeeeep. (Please be nice). Feedback is really appreciated. If you see any spelling mistakes/grammar errors, pretty pretty please let me know. Also, Historical details might not be 100% correct. Takes place in an AU where Bart never met Ptolemy. (don't hate me) Oooh, and I don't own anything! :(
- Astrid-
Astrid held her breath as she recited the summoning spells in her mind. She had read them over innumerable times this year, but still found her heart beating faster than usual. It was terrifying, summoning a spirit. Especially with her level of experience. Sure she had summoned lesser spirits many times before, but with these higher demons all it took was one hesitation and it was all over.
She took a deep breath. Finally positive she was ready, Astrid began reciting. Midway through her spell something had yet to happen, and she became nervous. But she bowed her head, shut her eyes and continued, her soft voice never wavering. After she had uttered the final word, she glanced up and found herself staring at an empty pentacle. She cursed. The djinni must be in someone else's control.
Stepping cautiously out of the circle, Astrid looked around for her spell book. Her little cabin was sparsely furnished. There was a small bed in one corner, covered in a threadbare blanket and a crooked little table in the opposite one. From her view in front of the cabin's tiny fireplace, she spotted an ancient book lying open on the single chair near the table. Astrid walked over and picked it up.
The yellow-paged, leather-bound artifact was her family's only heirloom. Astrid held it with care as she flipped through the familiar pages. Her family had traditionally been the village's healers, curing any sort of illness the people had. Because this sometimes necessitated supernatural help, her family members were also amateur magicians. Her mother had taught Astrid all she knew about spirits; this somewhat limited knowledge had been passed down for many generations.
Astrid sighed as she thought about her family. Thinking about what had happened still brought angry tears to her eyes, but she blinked them back. She stopped turning the word pages as she renewed her composure. She couldn't cry. What had happened had happened, and now she needed to be strong for her family. She took a a deep breath and once again, began turning the pages.
When she had found what she was looking for, Astrid leaned forward to look closely at the page. Squinting, she tried to make out the tiny lettering. Finding the right list, she chose the first name she saw. Astrid put down the book gently, and made her way back to the pentacle.
"Well, Bartimaeus of Uruk," she though. "I guess you're going to be helping me now."