Gallery of Secrets

By Garry Martin

Hidden Libraries and Forgotten Knowledge: A Descent into Aethel Prime

In the bustling heart of a medieval city, a secret whispers on the wind. Evelyn, a curious and bookish young woman, stumbles upon a hidden clue that leads her down a rabbit hole of forgotten lore.

Along with her gruff but loyal friend Alistair and her enigmatic grandfather, she embarks on a quest that will shatter her understanding of the world.

Their journey takes them beyond the city walls, to a hidden realm shrouded in mist and guarded by ancient magic.

Aethel Prime, a forgotten library city, pulsates with a forgotten power.

Towering shelves groan under the weight of arcane tomes, each page a portal to forgotten knowledge and lost civilizations.

But Aethel Prime is not a haven for scholars.

A shadowy figure, the Keeper, lurks within its labyrinthine halls, jealously guarding the library's secrets. He wields a twisted magic, and his motives are shrouded in darkness.

Evelyn, Alistair, and her grandfather are thrust into a desperate struggle.

They must decipher cryptic texts, navigate deadly traps, and face monstrous guardians to unlock the secrets of Aethel Prime.

The fate of their world hangs in the balance, for the knowledge they seek could be the key to unimaginable power… or unspeakable destruction.

Do you have the courage to delve into Aethel Prime? Uncover forgotten lore, battle monstrous guardians, and face the wrath of the Keeper in this thrilling tale of adventure, mystery, and the power of knowledge.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Garry Martin
• Release date: Apr 20, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224656066

Book preview

Gallery of Secrets

Chapter 1: A Life in Brushstroke

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the faint scent of old paper as Evelyn Thorne unlocked the door to the university's art history department. A symphony of morning light streamed through the tall windows, illuminating motes of dust dancing in the air. Here, surrounded by the ghosts of artistic giants – from the stoic gaze of Michelangelo's bust to the ethereal grace of a Botticelli Madonna hanging on the opposite wall – Evelyn wasn't just Dr. Thorne, the esteemed professor. Here, she was an explorer, a detective, forever unravelling the stories woven into every brushstroke.

Her daily ritual began with a pilgrimage across campus to the grand, neoclassical museum. Its towering marble facade, a testament to a bygone era, beckoned her with the promise of forgotten treasures. Inside, she'd greet her old friend, the stoic marble bust of Michelangelo, with a conspiratorial wink. Today, however, her attention was drawn elsewhere. A velvet rope cordoned off a previously unseen section, a brass plaque simply stating: To Be Unveiled. Intrigue sparked in Evelyn's eyes. A new exhibit? A hidden gem unearthed from the museum's vast collection? The possibilities sent a thrill down her spine.

Back in her office, a sanctuary overflowing with knowledge, books were stacked precariously high, their worn spines whispering tales of artistic movements and forgotten masters. Research notes spilled from folders, each a testament to Evelyn's meticulous research methods. A mismatched scarf, a souvenir from a research trip to Florence tucked beneath a scholarly tweed jacket, adorned the back of her worn leather armchair. This was a testament to her dual nature: the meticulous academic and the freewheeling adventurer.

Settling into her chair, the one that had creaked along beside her through countless research marathons, Evelyn focused on a 15th-century tapestry depicting a scene from the Arthurian legend. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting soft shadows that danced across the intricate weave. Evelyn leaned closer, her magnifying glass revealing the meticulous detail – the glint of sunlight on a knight's armour, the delicate folds of a lady's gown. But beyond the beauty, she was hunting for a hidden message.

Tell me your story, little tapestry... she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible above the gentle hum of the office. Each knot, each colour, held a secret, a whisper from the past. This was more than just a job; it was an obsession, a lifelong quest to decipher the language of art. She meticulously documented her observations in a leather-bound notebook, sketching details and highlighting potential clues. Each discovery, no matter how small, felt like a personal victory, a piece of the puzzle unlocked.

The morning hummed with activity. Students wandered in, seeking guidance or simply basking in the reflected energy of their passionate professor. Evelyn dispensed knowledge with the same infectious enthusiasm she felt when deciphering a hidden symbol or uncovering a forgotten artist. But beneath the surface, a niggling unease gnawed at her. The new exhibit, the sudden secrecy – it felt out of place in the art world's usual rhythm. It was a puzzle waiting to be solved, and Evelyn Thorne, a woman who lived for such mysteries, was determined to find the answer.

The last student shuffled out, the silence momentarily unsettling after the lively morning discussions. Evelyn lingered, her gaze fixed on the photo she'd taken of the enigmatic To Be Unveiled section. The more she thought about it, the more the secrecy bothered her. Museums thrived on generating excitement, building anticipation for new exhibits. This cloak-and-dagger approach felt wrong. A pang of professional jealousy stabbed at her. Had they unearthed something so extraordinary they couldn't wait to share it? Or was there something more to the story?

Reaching for her worn leather satchel, the one that had accompanied her on countless research trips and adventures, Evelyn began formulating a plan. A simple visit to the museum wouldn't suffice. She needed someone on the inside, someone who might be privy to whispers or rumours about the new acquisition. Her mind drifted to her old friend, Margaret, the museum's head conservator. Margaret possessed an encyclopaedic knowledge of the museum's collection and an uncanny ability to sniff out secrets hidden within the walls.

A memory flickered across Evelyn's mind – a past case where a seemingly insignificant detail Margaret had noticed on a newly acquired painting had led to the discovery of a masterful forgery. A smile played on Evelyn's lips. Margaret was exactly who she needed.

Evelyn grabbed her phone and dialled Margaret's number. The familiar ring echoed in her ear, followed by a cheerful, Evelyn! What a lovely surprise! Margaret's voice held its usual warmth, but a hint of strain lurked beneath the surface.  After exchanging pleasantries, Evelyn carefully steered the conversation towards the new exhibit.

Margaret, any whispers about what's behind that velvet rope? Evelyn inquired casually.

There was a long pause on the other end of the line. Evelyn, Margaret finally spoke, her voice low and hesitant, it's best you don't know yet. Trust me, this one's different. Top secret, the whole thing.

Disappointment gnawed at Evelyn, but Margaret's cryptic words only fuelled her curiosity.  Different in the art world could mean anything – a groundbreaking masterpiece, a controversial piece of modern art, or something far more sinister.  The possibilities sent a shiver down her spine.

Margaret, please, Evelyn pressed, any hint, anything you can share?

Another pause, then a sigh.  There's talk of an inscription on the crate, Margaret confided, her voice barely a whisper.  Something in Latin, apparently.

Latin inscriptions.  The words sparked a flicker of excitement in Evelyn's eyes.  They could be a clue to the artwork's origin, its purpose, or even a hidden message from the donor.  This was more than just a new exhibit; it was a mystery waiting to be unravelled.

Margaret, you're a lifesaver, Evelyn exclaimed, a triumphant note in her voice.  That inscription might be just the key I need.

They hung up, a renewed sense of purpose coursing through Evelyn.  She dashed to her bookshelf, pulling out a well-worn copy of a Latin dictionary and several hefty tomes on art history.  Tonight, she wouldn't be grading papers or attending faculty meetings.  Tonight, she would delve into the world of ancient languages and hidden meanings, determined to crack the code of the inscription and unlock the first thread in the mystery that was the new exhibit.  The prospect sent a thrill coursing through her veins.  This wasn't just research; it was an adventure, and Evelyn Thorne, a woman who thrived on the unknown, was ready to dive headfirst into the heart of the puzzle.

As the afternoon sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across her office, Evelyn was lost in a whirlwind of research.  She meticulously translated the inscription, a single word scrawled on the crate: Veritas.  Truth.  A simple word, yet it resonated with a profound weight.  Truth in art could have many interpretations – the portrayal of a historical event, the unveiling of a hidden emotion, or perhaps a revelation about the artwork itself.

Suddenly, a memory surfaced from the depths of Evelyn's past.  Years ago, while researching a Renaissance painter, she had stumbled upon a series of seemingly innocuous landscapes.  Further investigation, however, revealed a hidden code woven into the seemingly mundane scenes – a message