Moving through the shadowed alleys, Lasutro delivered the first envelope onto the desk of Ren Trefav, on the second floor of Faded Ochre Tomes. Lasutro exited quickly and quietly through the window she previously entered, moving with some grace to the roof just across from the window.
Just a minute after she placed the letter upon the office desk, a middle aged human man dressed in a comfortable but uniquely professional set of robes, entered the room before striding to his desk and quickly noticing the letter. Soon after he opened it with caution, then he moved over with haste to the small library in his office. Without any hesitation he pulled three books from one of the shelves, placed them upon his desk, his demeanor shifting from a relaxed businessman to a nervous yet focused criminal. Despite their growing curiosity of the business between Ren and Gorv, Lasutro forced themselves away from the roof they had been watching from and quickly to the next addressee, once again darting through the dark alleys, taking their time to maintain their stealth.
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Lasutro took deliberate steps as they approached the place of delivery for the second envelope addressed to a Judge Lanrepus.As she arrived at the gates the temple of the Winged Spectre’s cemetery, the towering palisades intimidating both the living and the dead and the smell of incense hanging in the air with the prayers of the temple,the night bit at Lasutro’s bones. Their borrowed cloak easing the notable change in the air, she paused as the most instinctual parts of themselves stirred to tug Lasutro away from this task, yet she pushed forward through the one of the gates minding the creaking of its hinges as she did and more so as she shut it.
The cemetery had changed in many ways since she was last there and others it had hardly changed, the way the shadows seemed to jump in the corner of their eyes, the crunching of their boots echoing in each ear, and the wind whispering a familiar sound of sorrow. The paths she had once followed often, now almost bereft of greenery, the spaces between headstones shrinking, the tree she once sat under in mourning replaced by a mausoleum.
She shook once more from the memories she held here, searching for a specific grave, Drakim Vimbert. Though some people grieved the dead at night not many did, so despite the stillness in the air that might give away the slightest misstep Lasutro managed though not without some effort to remain hidden from sight and after about ten minutes she had found Drakim Vimbert. The small head stone stood proudly next to one of the few trees that had yet to be torn from the earth. Just beneath the simple engraving of “583 - 610” and a small clay vase of withering bleeding hearts. Removing the Judge’s envelope from their cloak and as quietly as she could placed it partially under the flowers.
Just as she finished, their ears twitched as the crunch of footsteps approached, spinning around to find the source of the sound. Lasutro quickly spotted a single figure approaching, clearly more focused on the flowers they held. Keeping their eyes on them, she mouthed a silent apology to Drakim and stepped backwards toward the tree, gradually lowering their body to remain unnoticed. As the form of the figure became clearer, Lasutro climbed the tree while attempting to maintain the hush that so often fell upon this part of the temple. They strained in the effort to do so and just managed to as the apparently mourning character’s features revealed themselves.
A tall fiery haired woman adorned in an almost athletic garb, and a simple cloak. Lasutro watched from above as the woman kneeled and silently removed the old flowers from the vase before replacing them with the ones she had brought. The woman sat there for a moment staring at the bleeding hearts before she pulled up the envelope. They inspected it with a casual caution before pulling a small dagger from their waist and cleanly removing the message apparently meant for her. A sudden wind brushed against the tree branch that held the young half elf, their heartbeat rising as the tree creaked under them. The woman presumed to be Judge Lanrepus remained still reading the message , bringing some relief to Lasutro’s heart, the Judge took her time with reading the note as if to ensure all its information was clear. Finishing with her due diligence the Judge refolded the paper, raising it to one of her index fingers as a small scarlet flame bloomed forth, quickly rendering it to ash.
A wave of energy and relief came over Lasutro, with one delivery to go she felt the worry of a long wait fall from their shoulders and as she relaxed a crow landed on their neck. The bird as if possessed sniped at their ears almost playfully forcing Lasutro to loosen their grip upon the tree to shoo them away and as abruptly as it had appeared the crow was gone. Realizing their mistake, Lasutro refocused their attention on the Judge who was now gazing in their direction.
The once calmed heart began pounding against Lasutro’s ribs as a mix of fear and excitement rose through their body. Their emotions peaked as the small dagger flew by Lasutro into a nearby branch, a clear warning as a voice cut through the rustling of the leaves, yet her commanding tone held a softness.
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“Come down from there. I wish to speak with you.”
The Judge stood expectedly, her dark blue eyes pierced through the arms of the tree, Lasutro suddenly felt so exposed. Seeing no reason to anger the Judge any more, Lasutro made their way slowly out of the tree and stepped towards the grave over which the Judge still stood.
“What is your business here interloper?”
Her authoritative voice cut through the silence once more, as she crossed her arms and watched as Lasutro made their nervous approach. Though their heart still thumped violently in their chest, she fought the anxiety in their throat and spoke as confidently as she could in response. Looking at their hands in an effort to avoid eye contact.
“Just delivering some messages, like that one.”
Lasutro gestured toward the Judge’s hand and the direction ashes had blown. The Judge nodded, before she spoke once more.
“Confirming each delivery I suppose?”
Lasutro nodded in response, their anxiety somewhat relieved as the Judge’s tone shifted
to be more polite yet strict.
“Do you have a minute to chat then?”
Though phrased like a question Lasutro had a gut feeling it was not entirely a request but almost certainly a demand. The Judge sat down and gestured to Lasutro to do the same.
“Tell me, what do you know about magic?”
Their whole life Lasutro had seen plenty of magic, mostly simple spells that create a small flame, gust of wind or light. Others that help single plants grow slightly faster, and even some bards who use a simple spell enhance their voice to fill a room. She reflected on the few spells she’d seen and how often when she had asked them how they worked it, only to be told they didn’t know, or that some mysteries are best solved by those curious in their secrets. Lasutro prepared themselves for a familiar if frustrating disappointment, as she sought once more to sate that curiosity she held for most of their life.
“I know it can be hard to learn, its secrets are a mystery that wants solving. That those who understand it, love to speak in riddles to those who don’t.”
She paused, “I know that it can do many wonderful things and that it can be dangerous in the wrong hands.”
The Judge nodded, “Very true. Magic is those things, but what you don’t know is magic draws on energy and that energy must be directed. That directing is done through desire, and will, or at least to begin, the nuances of magic is something best explored by the individual.”
She reached over to touch Lasutro’s shoulder, and held it tight,
“Many people have an affinity for magic, although many don’t realize their full potential. Too many great mages never came to be or came too late because they never had the chance to learn. I have never gotten the chance to meet somebody who really should be in one of the empire’s cities studying to become a wizard till now. I can tell you haven’t realized it yet but you’ve worked magic, weak and unstable magic but magic nonetheless. So when you leave here, and you finish this “job” you got I better not see you until you’re a full mage”
The Judge let go, sprung back to her feet, dusted herself off, then she looked back at the grave with a wistful expression. A short moment passed before she began walking away. Lasutro sat dumbfounded for a few seconds, then chased after the Judge.
“Wait! What do you mean I’ve done magic already?!”
“You’ll figure it out, just follow my advice and leave to a city”
She continued her exit, not looking back. Lasutro continued after her, and called after again.
“Please wait!”
The Judge stopped, turning back to face Lasutro with an impatient and expectant look.
“Well, spit it out.”
“Why did you tell me all of this?”
“I saw you work magic,” The Judge paused,
“Or should I say I felt you work magic and if my work as a Captain taught me anything it’s trust my gut, and my gut is telling me to give you a chance to become the great mage you can be.”
When the Judge, or was it the Captain, turned away once more,Lasutro knew that their conversation had come to an end. With her words echoing in Lasutro’s mind, they remembered their task and retrieved the directions for the final delivery preparing themselves for the final stretch of their task.