Book One – Chapter 4

Despite the decades of neglect that had taken their toll, Yves had stored his most valuable artefacts and tomes within the lighthouse, safeguarded by layers of protective magical seals and potent illusions. At first glance, the aging structure appeared as nothing more than another weathered ruin, an easy illusion considering its true state of disrepair. This exterior façade was maintained by a glamour spell, obscuring the alterations Yves had made from within: Beneath the veneer of abandonment lay spells that held the structure together. The glamour spell hid all those protective spells that Yves had cast over the building to prevent it from truly falling apart.

Similarly, the ground floor held more than met the eye; it was a bastion of illusion and secrecy. A potent anti-detection spell veiled the entryway to an underground sanctuary. To access it, Yves had to enter a narrow gap between the inner and outer wall, originally constructed for a system of pulleys and mechanical workings he never fully comprehended.

Within the narrow passageway, he could reach a concealed trapdoor hiding a slender stone staircase that wound its way down to an underground level. Without prior knowledge, an intruder would walk right over it.

Even if someone had a genuine reason to search for treasures and actually found the veiled passage behind the inner wall, they would still need to consciously look for the trapdoor. Even a determined treasure-seeker would walk over it, for their attention would be drawn to a ladder conveniently placed beside the entrance. With this ladder, the curious trespasser could climb up between the lighthouse’s inner and outer walls.

The original staircase leading to the upper levels had long since collapsed, rendering all but the ground and first floors inaccessible. Any intruders entering the lighthouse would typically explore these two accessible levels and then naturally wonder if there was more to find at the top. Before discovering the hidden entrance and ladder, they would have already concluded that if any treasure remained after centuries, it would be found on the uppermost floors. It was the most obvious and logical assumption, making the discovery of the secret ladder an equally enticing prospect.