Servants were called to clean up the mess in the garden and the two went to the dining hall. Elsurion quarrelled with himself either to have the servants replant this kind of roses or not. Without giving it any further thought, the king asked: “The roses mean something very important to you, do they not?”
A sharp breath could be heard, then the response came: “They…remind me of my home.”
“The ‘orphanage’ that raised you?”
Sarenya answered not for about a minute, then said: “My real home.”
“Then I will order them to be replanted.”
“Thanks.”, Sarenya said after another long pause.
Elsurion had them ordered to be left alone like yesterday.
Once they sat down, Sarenya asked: “Does that ointment contain garlic?”
“Pardon? Garlic?”
“Yes. It helps with disinfecting a wound.”
“I…I don’t know.”
Quietly Sarenya asked: “Will there be wine again?”
“Yes?”, the king answered lurking, more a question of his own than a response. He smelled the rat, but wanted Sarenya to name it, so he waited her out on it.
“Can I have some again?”
“If you wish.”
The king took a deep breath and took a bite out of the eggs that were served as an appetizer and exhaled slowly.
“What made you accuse me of being with a…brotherhood, as you called it?”
The woman froze for a few seconds, then took a long, deep breath.
“You are a sorcerer. Only the brotherhood has sorcerers.”
Elsurion was bit confused by the way how casually she used the word sorcerer. “I figured I wasn’t wrong then. You have seen others like me?”
She turned away.
“Please Sarenya. What is this place you speak of? Perhaps this brotherhood could teach me…my father has taught me so little about magic…”
Her hand hit the table. “You cannot go there! You’re a fool!”
“What are you saying? Why?”
“You…have no idea…”
“Then tell me!”, he slammed his fist on the table now. Sarenya rose from her seat, the king did the same. Their angry looks crossed. The king noticed, that she, surprisingly, could withstand his gaze this time around. Not even Marius could do that over a prolonged period.
“You were not there by choice.”, the king assumed. “Why have you been there in the first place?”
Sarenya, once more, pressed her hands against her head. “I don’t know! I…I only remember the roses now…but I think I was always there…at the brotherhood.”
“Then…let us just stay calm. They taught you how to…fight?”
“Yes.”, her voice was shaky.
“And then you…’left’?”
“I got away.”
“Alright. You got away. And then? You…made your way to Solaria?”
“I lived in the woods with the skulls for some time.”
“Skulls?”
“A group of bandits.”
“A group of…”
“I left.”
“And then you stumbled directly into my father’s funeral?”
“Apparently.”
Elsurion badly wanted to know more about this brotherhood but was afraid to push Sarenya too far.
“You are not involved with the brotherhood of I'sza?”
“I'sza? Is that its name? No. No, I am not. I have never heard of it.”
Her look was still suspicious. He probably squeezed more out of Sarenya than he could have hoped for. Change of subject it was.
“Wine?”, he held up the bottle. The woman nodded. “This wine is different than the one served yesterday. It’s mead.”
“Mead?”
“Honey-infused wine.”
The king filled their chalices. “Cheers!”, Elsurion said and took a sip. Sarenya waited for him to swallow it then drank from her chalice as well. The king wondered if she suddenly suspected him of poisoning her.
“I like it. It’s very sweet.”
The king smiled softly. They ate and neither of them asked any more questions up to the end of the main course. During dessert, Sarenya asked:
“How can you wield magic, without being involved with the brotherhood of I’sza?”
“I don’t know. Magic awoke in me one day. I think it was when I was fourteen. I did not even know for sure that there are other sorcerers beside me and…”, he swallowed down the pain, “my father. Solaria bless him.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.”, Sarenya said hesitantly.
Surprised by her condolences, the king responded as hesitantly: “Thank you.”
Sarenya emptied the rest of her chalice in one go. The king raised an eyebrow. He looked at her as if asking: “Anymore questions?”
Being able to read his look, the woman shook her head. “Where will you spend the night this time?”, Elsurion tried to make it sound as casual as he could. It felt awkward, even more so in hindsight. But if he was completely honest with himself, the thought of approaching her in that particular regard did not cross his mind at the time. He was only afraid she would just vanish forever, if she slept somewhere else. (Not that Marius would believe it if Elsurion told him that.)
“In bed.”, she responded without lifting her head from her plate. The king chuckled quietly. Sarenya reached out for the bottle to top up her chalice. The king found himself a bit dumbfounded but let it happen. Needless to say, she emptied the next chalice pretty quickly as well. Sarenya kept staring at the bottle. The king understood, yet pointed out: “Won’t you get drunk?”
“Never got drunk from the beer so far.”
Elsurion weighted if he should mention that diluted booze is not nearly as strong as pure alcohol. He assessed it pointless, as she probably would not listen anyways. Sarenya got her refill.
Leaning forward curiously, the king asked: “What were you served for food at the brotherhood?”
The sound of an empty chalice hitting the table was heard.
“Bread. Meat sometimes.”
An idea came to his mind: Perhaps Sarenya could not only protect, but also accompany him when he went hunting. He, as many royals, did this for sports occasionally.
“Self-hunted?”
“Yes.”
“You can hunt then?”
“All the I'sza Kashi could.”
“I..Ka…what?”
“Us fighters. Hunting animals was one of our tasks.”
“Fighters…”, the king nodded. “Mhm…”
Elsurion was just too curious. He could not stop asking questions, despite his inner voice urging him to stop.
“When you spoke of the brotherhood, you said ‘I got away’ , when referring to your departure from there if I recall correctly.”
She did not reply.
Carefully, the king made another move: “That does imply captivity. At least that’s what it sounds like to me.”
Again, no reply. But she was shaking. Elsurion opened his mouth to poke one final time, but stopped at the last second, knowing better this time around.
The bell was ranged, and their togetherness was dissolved. Sarenya’s stagger did not pass the king by unnoticed. He suspected her to be drunk despite her attitude. Throwing glimpses, he observed Sarenya and wondered if she would stumble at one point or another. The two reached the king’s chambers and the king asked: “Are you feeling alright?”
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She did not reply and opened the door instead. Elsurion suppressed the urge to lecture her about not being able to protect him if she was drunk. Sarenya laid down and the king mentioned: “I will have the tailor make you some clothes for the night.”
“Don’t need any.”
The king sighed calmly, then said: “Just make sure not to stab me during my sleep, will you?”
He could have sworn that he heard a quiet chuckle from Sarenya.
Regardless of Sarenya’s opinion, the king called for the royal tailor to measure her the next day, after the two had breakfast. Elsurion wanted him to make some clothes for his personal guard. Also, she needed a uniform. The king was surprised that the woman did not protest. However, when the tailor went on to measure her chest girth, Sarenya grabbed him and twisted the man’s arm.
“Sarenya! What are you doing!”, the king yelled.
The tailor was screaming and begging to be released.
“Let him go Sarenya, this instant!”
The kings guard lowered her grip, so that the tailor could get away.
“I can do that myself”, she announced. Sarenya took the tailors measuring stick and took the measurements herself. The tailor, intimidated, did not protest and wrote them down instantly. Stunned, the king let the scene play before his eyes. When they were done, the tailor went to leave quickly, but the king gently grabbed his shoulder.
“My apologies tailor. I did not intend this to happen.”
“I…it is no issue, my Lord.”
“Is your arm alright?”
“Yes…yes, my king. I’m fine.”
“Very well. My best wishes to your wife and children.”
“Thank you, my king, thank you…“, the tailor stuttered and left.
The king sighed. “That was uncalled for, Sarenya. Why did you hurt him like that?”
She overheard the question, and instead asked: “Why is a uniform necessary?”
“Because, every guard wears one. I want you to wear one as well.”
“I don’t see the need.”
Before the king could answer, there was a knock on the door.
“Yes?”
A servant opened the door. “My king.” The servant bowed. “There is a visitor, who says she wishes to talk to you.”
“A visitor? Who is she?”
“An old woman, my king.”
“Did she say what she wants?”
“To enlighten you, she claims.”
“Enlighten me? Were those her words?”
“She said: ‘I wish to enlighten the king.’” Elsurion got Goosebumps. He did no like this. But he was curious.
“Where is she now?”
“At the entrance to the palace, my lord.”
Elsurion glanced over to Sarenya. “This seems suspicious. The hour of the people is near. Keep her there. If she wishes to speak to me, she will have to wait. Tell her that.”
“Of course, my king.”
“And search her for weapons. I do not want surprises.”
“My king.” The servant bowed and left.
“What do you think, Sarenya?”
“I will stand guard and stop her if she is dangerous. Is this my task?”
“Precisely.”
A wave of comfort overcame the king, knowing that Sarenya would protect him. The hour of the people still was the most important thing, especially now. He had to show presence and care to his subjects. That reminded him: He had to give another speech to the masses. He needed to clarify who Sarenya was, say a word or two about the incident at the funeral. More rumours flooring around was the last thing he needed now. He and Sarenya made their way to the throne room. Despite her not having a uniform yet, he wanted her to stand next to him, and show presence as well. The people should see her. Many subjects were afraid or wanted to know the plans of the kingdom, Elsurion did his best to appease them with kind words. Some snakingly tried to renegotiate contracts his father once concluded. Elsurion calmly put them off to another day, since the kingdom and he especially had other priorities to sort out at this time. He suppressed his anger about the audacity theses people obviously possessed. His father was barely dead, and all they could think of was their business. It disgusted him.
After the hour of the people was over, the king ordered a servant to check if the old woman was still there. He was pretty sure that she had wandered off by now. To his surprise, she was still there, waiting, as the servant told the king. Elsurion ordered the woman to be brought to one of the meeting rooms. Elusion and Sarenya waited until the guards brought her in. The woman was old, that much Elsurion could tell. Her arm rested on a long, crude walking stick. Her back was crooked. She made her way slowly to the table in the middle of the room.
“Greetings, King Elsurion of Solaria”, she said with an eerie smile. The woman hinted a bow.
“Greetings citizen. What is your name?”
“My name is not important, but you may call me ‘Cora’. And, if you permit, I am no citizen of this kingdom.” Cora chuckled.
“Yes, well…then be welcome to my kingdom, Cora. Please, have a seat.”
The woman nodded gently and sat down.
“Tell, Cora, what is your business here?”
“I wish to enlighten you, king Elsurion.”
“So I was told. How are you planning to do that?”
The woman began to search her pouch. She presented the king with a little package.
“With these.”
Elsurion felt toyed with. “Do not be so mysterious, my time is precious.”
She chuckled again. “Oh, I’m sure it is. Please excuse me.” Cora opened it and inside were cards.
“A deck of playing cards?” The king laughed.
“They will help to enlighten you, king Elsurion.”
Elsurion stood up. “Of course, I should have known.” He shook his head. “You are going to lay out some cards and tell me of luck, good fortune and such nonsense. But only after you ask for some coins. Listen, woman: I am not interested in your charlatanry. Get out.”
Cora stayed calm. “If it is your wish, I will leave. But know that I am no charlatan, and I do not ask for coin or any kind of reward.”
The king raised an eyebrow. “You do not?”
The woman shook her head. “And I will not lay out any cards. You will.”
Slowly, Elsurion took a seat again. “What kind of cards are these?”
“Tarot cards, my lord.”
“Let us pretend, I am interested. What do you have in mind?”
“As I said, I will not lay out any cards. That would be your task.”
“I understood that the first time, but what am I supposed to do?”
“Take the cards and shuffle them. Fan them out before you and draw four cards.”
“That is it?”
“That’s it.”
Elsurion did not like this. But his curiosity got the better of him.
“Fine. Hand me the cards then.”
Respectfully, Cora pushed the deck towards him. The king took the deck in his hands but looked at them first. Pictures of people in various circumstances. Peasants, kings or animals, they were beautifully drawn, the king had to admit as much. Eventually, he started to shuffle the deck, then he fanned them out before him as Cora told him. The king drew the first card and put it before him. It showed an elderly man with a long, white beard, holding a candle. He stood somewhere Elsurion suspected to be a mountain and looked in the distance.
“The Hermit.” Cora said.
Elsurion looked up but said nothing. He drew the second card. A jester, with a walking stick, making a grimace.
“The fool.”, Cora said.
Elsurion drew the third card. A skeleton on a horse, with a scythe. To his left, the moon. To his right, the sun. Elsurion did not need to hear the name of this card. He could guess it himself.
“Death,” the king whispered. Cora nodded. This was unnerving. He pulled himself together and drew the last card. It showed a large, beautiful bird covered in flames, rising from the ashes.
“The Phoenix”, Cora commented.
Elsurion was stunned by the beauty of the card. This lasted a moment, then his suspicion was back, and the king put the card down.
“And what now?” He asked Cora. It appeared, she was lost in thought for a moment, then she replied: “The Hermit. Faith struck you. Perhaps a catastrophe overcame your kingdom, perhaps you lost a loved one. Whatever the case, you seek solitude to process what happened. In this emotional exile, no one can reach you.”
Cora took the card, and turned it face down.
“The fool. A journey lies before you. Like the Hermit, it is a journey you must face alone, for no one is able to understand why you take it upon you. To others, you even make a fool out of yourself at times. Do not judge or push them away for it, they simply see things with different eyes than you do.”
The second card was turned.
“Death. Despite its appearance, it does not necessarily mean literal death. It is merely the envoy of an end. A chapter in your life that needs to be closed for you to evolve, to advance.”
The card was turned as well.
“The Phoenix.” She looked up. “Do you know what they say about the phoenix, my Lord?”
Elsurion simply shook his head.
“It is the essence of fire itself.”
When Cora said the word ‘fire’, Elsurion felt prickling in his hands.
“When a phoenix dies, it rises again from the ashes. Its old self dies and new one takes its place. This ties in with the third card you drew: The beginning of a new chapter. But this card also speaks of the price you need to pay to turn the page. The phoenix has to give up his own life in a very painful way, only then, he can rise anew.” Cora looks the king in the eyes and turns the final card around. As much as Elsurion wanted to dismiss it all as humbug, the way she explained the meanings of the cards hit home for the king. His hands started to shake. With as much composure as he could muster, he asked: “How did you do this, Cora?”
She gave him a wondering look. “Doing what, my lord?”
“This. Telling me all these things. You are from this kingdom after all, are you not, woman? You heard of the death of my father! Now you come here and try to make me a victim of this terrible joke! How dare you!”
Elsurion took the four cards and threw them at her. Once again, she remained absolutely calm. The king, mad and panting, looked down at her, sitting there like the eye of a storm.
“This is no joke, my lord. The cards simply spoke their meaning as you drew them.”
“Preposterous! This must be a trick of sorts! You placed the cards beforehand!”
“How was I supposed to do this? You shuffled the deck yourself, my lord.”
Feeling cornered, Elsurion took the deck and ordered her: “Give me the other four cards!”
Cora handed them back to the king. He took a close look at the deck and searched for duplicates. To his surprise, the deck did not contain any. Impromptu, the king decided to mix the four cards into the deck and shuffle it once more. He shuffled it for a whole minute, to make sure the cards were mixed enough. Then fanned them out on the table again. He drew four cards face down randomly. His looked checked on Cora, still sitting there, waiting for him to finish. The king turned the cards around one after the other: The Hermit. The Fool. Death. The Phoenix. Elsurion jumped with eyes wide open, his chair fell over.
“This…this…” The king pointed his finger at Cora. “Trickery! This is some sort of trick, it has to be!”
“My lord…”
“Quiet!” He interrupted her. Elsurion took the cards and shuffled them once more. But regardless how many times the king repeated this: The same four cards came up every time. Scared, Elsurion backed off. “Leave. Get out of here, and never show your face in Solaria again, woman!”
He was so scared by the cards at the time, that he did not even consider asking Cora if she, perhaps, was a sorceress as well. That she maybe used as magic trick on him or the cards. Cora got up, gently wrapped up the cards and put them back in her pouch. She got up slowly, and spoke to him:
“Fate takes its course, my lord. Whether you want it to, or not. The cards are innocent, they merely show you what lies in store. I wish you the best on your journey.”
With that, she left the room. Elsurion felt unable to say anything. He looked over to Sarenya. Her face was pale like a corpse.
“Did you…perhaps…notice anything?” Elsurion hoped that Sarenya would reveal now that she saw something, anything, to unmask this all as trickery.
“No…” her response was a mere whisper.
Elsurion hit the table with his fist. “I will not stand for this! We have to stop her!”
The king and his guard left the room and went on to search for the elderly woman. Every guard on the way was questioned, but all the information the king got was, that the woman has passed them…or maybe not. No guard was sure. It was infuriating! It was as if she had vanished without a trace. What were the guards doing? The king ordered them to sweep the castle. He felt sort of ridiculous about it, when thinking back on how the last sweep turned out.
“Perhaps she was a sorcerer like you,” Sarenya suspected, once they were alone.
“You really believe I did not think of that, Sarenya?”, he answered harshly. “But she would have been able to turn outright invisible or…or…I don’t know!” The king threw his hands up in the air. The king felt silly, embarrassed by an old woman and a stupid card trick.
Elsurion inhaled, exhaled. “I’m sorry. Keep your eyes extra open, Sarenya.”
The woman nodded. The king went on then with his daily business, Sarenya always at his heels. Sweeping the castle for Cora was (as the king expected) in vain, she was gone. Still, her words echoed in his head. The cards…their meaning…was it true? He had to admit, the cards spoke true. Too much so. He lost a loved one. He felt so alone with this. And no one seem to understand him, not even Marius. Marius! Whatever them woman intended with her hocus pocus, one thing she got right: Marius understood him not but was his friend regardless. He just tried to do his duty. Elsurion wanted to apologize, right know. Neither he, nor Sarenya had spotted him all day. One of the guards revealed to the king, that Marius was in his quarters. The king ordered Saranya to stay at the door, he wanted to have this conversation in private.