Asra's Route

Introduction- The Hierophant

I settle myself against a pier to listen as a voice rings out above the crowd, its owner a woman I know well.

Portia.

Her expression holds no more of the sadness that I saw on it before. Instead she is proud, standing upright and hailing citizens closer to heed her word.

"Ahem! Hear ye, hear ye! This is an announcement from your Countess Nadia! On the anniversary of the passing of your beloved Count Lucio, the Countess will be opening the Palace gates!"

A surprised murmur runs through the crowd, people turning to look at one another in barely veiled surprise that Portia happily feeds on, clapping her hands together as she talks on, voice bubbly and inviting.

"That's right, folks! All are invited, not to mourn, but to celebrate the spirit of the deathly departed Count!"

Another ripple of excitement passes through the crowd, louder this time. At it's edge, I find a familiar scent. Myrrh.

The leather pouch, dropped on my doorstep comes to mind.

The one a stranger had left behind.

I slip away from my post to follow the scent, careful not to bump into anyone.

Winding through the crowd, I come upon a large figure, hulking in size. Their eyes are shadowed under a hood and a heavy brow, the only thing I can see just the edge of a scarred jaw, dusted with dark facial hair.  Though the excitement in the square is growing, the figure looks more like a harbinger of despair.

"It'll be a Masquerade like no other before!" Portia continues, feeding into the excitement of the crowd. "Spread the word! Tell your friends! You won't wanna miss this!"

As the crowd erupts into a cheer, the massive stranger moves down a side street, escaping with the scent of myrrh.

I quickly move to follow, curiosity getting the better of me. The stranger's lumbering pace is almost easy to match. I catch up halfway down the street.

"Hey, where are you going?" I question, holding up a finger.

I can't help the feeling that nags at my gut. They were oddly familiar, in a way. And not just because of the smell. I could tell I knew them, somehow. Though I couldn't quite place it.

The figure pauses at the sound of my voice, letting out a long sigh. Then, they turn. Slowly, as if dreading the sight of me.

His eyes are a striking stormy green that meet mine, flashing with an unknown emotion. "Blindly to the slaughter. Just like the rest of you."

I stare up at them, fiddling with the strap of my bag. Their words make no sense in my mind. Cryptic, matching their harboring appearance.

"What do you mean?" I ask once more, careful to keep myself calm. They don't seem irritated with me. At least not yet. "Please... Speak plainly."

"It doesn't matter what I say. My words will never last. They never do." They say quietly, eyes closing to reveal dark circles beneath their eyes.

They turn away from me once more, shuffling away with the rattling of chains.

My mind races. They left that bag at the shop, the protection spell.

Only one other person I knew of was a magician.

My Master Asra.

Did he send them?

The thought of my Master makes my heart leap into my chest, desperate and needy for answers.

"Wait!" I insist, hustling after them. "Who are you?"

My question falls on deaf ears, their shuffling not stopping for even a moment as I scramble to catch up to them before they can disappear around the corner. They stop at the stairs, back towards me.