Free Archie Greene and the Magician's Secret by D D Everest Page A

the order in which you learn. Every apprentice has his or her own path to follow. Not many start with binding, though,’ he added, looking thoughtful. ‘It’s the hardest of the three skills, you see. Only the most gifted of the apprentices start with it. Wolfus Bone – he works in Lost Books now – Arthur Ripley, who used to work there, and your father, too. I taught all three of ’em. The only one I didn’t teach is Gideon Hawke.’
    So it was true, his father had learned bookbinding from Old Zeb. Archie felt a surge of pride that he was following a family tradition.
    Old Zeb was talking again. ‘Now there’s just a couple more things you need to know. The Lores – they’re all up there, all five of ’em.’ He pointed at a sign on the wall and began to read aloud.
    ‘The First Lore states that all magical books and artefacts must be returned to the Museum of Magical Miscellany for inspection and classification.’ He looked at Archie. ‘No ifs or buts – understand?’
    Archie nodded.
    ‘Good lad. The Second Lore says that magical books and artefacts may not be used or bought and sold until properly identified and classified. Self-explanatory, I think.
    ‘The Third Lore forbids the unauthorised use of magic outside of magical premises. And the Fourth Lore says that hoarding magical books to accumulate personal power is outlored under the prohibition of dangerous magical practices.’
    Old Zeb’s face turned serious. ‘It is our duty to make sure the magic books are safe. We can’t have them falling into the wrong hands.
    ‘Finally, the Fifth Lore says the mistreatment of magical creatures is forbidden.
    ‘Now, I want you to be on your guard because we suspect that Greaders are operating in Oxford. Professor von Herring will tell you more about that at the apprentices’ meeting tomorrow. You know about the meeting, I take it?’
    ‘My cousin said something about it,’ Archie replied.
    ‘Good,’ nodded Old Zeb. ‘Make sure you attend.
    ‘Well, that’s enough theory for one day.’ The old man rubbed his hands together like an excited child. ‘Right, let’s get on to the practical stuff. See these books here?’
    He indicated two shelves on the wall above the workbench. ‘Everything you need to know is in these books,’ he said.
    Archie scanned the bookshelves. There were several books about bookbinding and repairing spells, but the one that caught his eye was called
Magic Collectors Past & Present
. He was going to ask about it, but Old Zeb drew his attention to a volume called
Bookbinding for Beginners
by Basil Gumtree.
    ‘I was apprenticed to Basil Gumtree myself,’ the old man said, shaking his head fondly. ‘Best bookbinder I’ve ever seen. Course, I was a young lad then starting out on my apprenticeship, just like you.’
    ‘Yes, well, about that,’ said Archie, feeling awkward. ‘Do you really think I’m the right person to be your apprentice? I mean, I appreciate the offer and everything, but I don’t know the first thing about magical books, or magic for that matter. Are you sure you aren’t making a mistake?’
    ‘Mistake?’ the old man’s brow creased. ‘Impossible! The Flame decides and the Flame chose you. The mark of the Flame is binding. Book binding in this case!’ he added with a grin.
    He gave Archie a knowing wink. ‘You are my apprentice and that’s the end of it. Now let’s get onwith our work. The books won’t bind themselves!’ he said, his face breaking into a smile then immediately turning serious. ‘Actually, sometimes they do! Some of them can’t be trusted you see.’
    *
    Later that morning, Archie and Old Zeb were sitting on their tall stools at the end of the long bench. At the other end were two piles of books labelled ‘Pop-Ups’ and ‘Pop-Outs’. Archie regarded them curiously, thinking about the pop-up storybooks Gran used to read him.
    ‘I see you have an eye for the poppers.’ Old Zeb grinned. ‘But be careful with those.