The wind escaped through the cracks of the doors as they groaned open. Carrying with it the scent of the desert and strong perfume. The perfume was heavy and cheaply made. It carried with it a striking artificial scent and traces of secondhand magic.
One would think magic didn’t have a scent but it does. And Sybella had become an expert at identifying the smell of magic since she had come to the temple of Nerahah.
It was unique and very subtle. Something similar to the combination of soil and fire mixed with unidentifiable elements.
Not dangerous but definitely concerning.
Two pairs of feet clicked against the marble floor in long strides. Another set of feet which was shorter in stride, possibly belonging to a child, scurried after the two, desperately trying to keep up.
As the trio drew closer the scent of magic became stronger. From whom it was coming from was not clear. But whoever had it wore plenty of it, filling Sybella’s nose and stinging her eyes to the point of tears.
A throat cleared to her right, low in tone. She leaned her body toward the sound, offering her ear, keeping her face and torso facing forward.
“Two adults, a woman and a man. With them a child, around four. They are family.” The priest, Hugh, said softly.
Sybella nodded as she returned to her regular position. Hands folded in her lap and her back straight.
The family moved forward and then suddenly stopped. The sound of several hands tapped the ground twice. Then one set of feet stepped forward.
A man spoke with a quivering voice. “High priestess, my name is Samuel and I have come here with my wife and son. We present ourselves to you now to have the future of my son read.” Samuel said. His breath was short, and the words dipped at the end of his sentence. There was something weighing on this man’s mind.
“It is a pleasure to meet you and your family, Samuel.” Sybella said with a smile, which she then let fall, turning her expression into that of worry. “Or at least I would like to say that whole heartedly, but I am concerned with what you have brought today.” Sybella continued.
“I am sorry, priestess? I do not know what you mean.”
“Someone in your party has magic on them, in the form of a potion like perfume. Why? Don’t you know magic is strictly forbidden in the temple?” Sybella asked.
Priest Hugh shifted in his seat. The heat from Sybella’s side disappeared, replaced by a frigid wind. Cloth rustled and bones cracked as priest Hugh lurched forward. She put a hand on his arm, signaling him to stay.
“I can smell it on one of you. Why are you wearing magic on your sleeve? What use do you have for this kind of magic?” Sybella asked.
“I beg of you; we mean no harm!” Samuel said. “The potion is not harmful, and it only affects the one that wears it.”
Of course, Sybella knew this. She could smell it. It was clean magic. Untouched by blood, that much she knew, but it was still magic. Why wear it if they knew it was not allowed?
“You have not answered my question, sir. Why do you wear it?” Sybella repeated.
“It is not I who wears it, but my son.” Samuel said.
Sybella raised an eyebrow and tilted her head.
“He was cursed as a baby by a warlock who sought after my wife but when she rejected him, he turned his sights onto our son as punishment,” Samuel explained. “When our son was born, he looked like any other child but as he grew his skin would change. He would become hairy like a dog or rough like a lizard. His face would become misshapen for a second and he would appear hideous. We went to a local charmer who gave us a potion to maintain his appearance but we want to know if the curse will ever be broken.”
The room fell silent as Sybella thought.
Technically, it was wrong for them to come with any kind of magic whatsoever. It was grounds to have them removed from the temple completely. However, if what the man said was true then why should she deny them the chance to see if their son would live a life free of the curse or not? Would she be in the wrong to deny them?
“Bring your son to me.” Sybella said after a moment.
Priest Hugh put a hand on her shoulder and leaned in close to her ear. “Are you sure this is right?” He asked.
Sybella shrugged. “The potion is harmless to us, so I don’t see the harm in fulfilling their request.” Sybella said. Then in a louder voice. “Tell me exactly what you want to know about this boy’s future.”
“Will the curse be broken?” Samuel asked.
The young woman extended her hands, palm upwards. “Place the child’s hands in mine.” Sybella commanded.
The scent of the magical perfume grew strong when the child came within arm’s length. Two small hands were placed against hers and suddenly she was transported.
Flashes of memories, the past, the present and future exploded in her mind’s eye. It was jumbled and unclear, moving around with no real direction.
The past of the boy sat in the future. While the future lingered in the present space. Destiny and fate were never linear. They are messy and are strewn across time. Sybella sorted through the moments until she could find what she seeks.
With each vision there was a line, a thin string of sorts, colored in an assortment of colors. Black is death. Pink is past. Gold are precious moments that haven’t happened yet or milestones in the boy’s life. And grey are hardships he has yet to face.
If the boy had a curse, it would be linked to the grey strings.
Sybella took hold of the strings and followed them until she found his future. She saw his changes, unnatural and frightening. His skin morphed and his eyes changed in shape and color.
The shape of his skull became fluid and warped along with the rest of his body. It was as if his body were clay and could be molded into anything it wanted. He shifted, transforming into a massive bird, beautiful and terrifying. He could change back with ease and as she looked deeper into his future, she could see nothing wrong with his face. It had become under his control. He could shape shift.
The picture of the boy in his adulthood confused Sybella. Examining his features, she found little indication that this boy was what she thought he was. His ears were round. However, his eyes were bright.
Even when she went back to his past and watched as he grew there were no signs that he was anything other than human. His eyes brightened as his power grew. A natural occurrence for mages. And yet he could shape shift.
No curses could ever allow a power like that. No curses could create powerful mages. It didn’t make sense.
Unless the boy was not cursed.
Sybella let go of the boy’s hand, effectively cutting herself from his fate. Sweat trickled down her brow and her body shook.
“How long were we gone?” Sybella asked the priest.
“Several hours.” Priest Hugh answered.
The evidence of her time in this boy’s future was apparent. The muscles in her legs were cramped and sore. Her tongue stuck to the rough of her mouth and her throat was parched.
It had been a while since she had to work this hard for someone’s request.
“What did you see, my lady?” Samuel asked.
Sybella pursed her lips, unsure of what to say. If she were correct, this would be dangerous information.
“Your son will grow strong and he will find his own way around it. By his own power he will break the curse.” Sybella said slowly. “Keep the potions with him until he grows old enough to find that path himself.”
“Thank you!” Samuel said excitedly. “You are great indeed! We are grateful to have been in your presence!”
Sybella raised her hand and smiled. “Please, there is no need. However, I would appreciate it if I could have a word with your wife for a moment?” Sybella said.
“Of course.” Samuel said. His words were high pitched and strained. The man didn’t understand the nature of her request.
Holding out her hands to Priest Hugh, a pair of gloves slid over her palms. Sybella gestured for the woman to come closer and soft steps moved toward her. Once they had gotten close enough, Sybella gestured for the woman to kneel and turn to her side. After she did that, Sybella cupped her hands over the woman’s ear and leaned in.
“Just because your son looks human does not mean he is. I would suggest you leave with your son before your husband figures out what you two are.” Sybella whispered.
The woman jerked away and Sybella was sure she was giving her a very dirty look.
It was obvious to guess that the woman was a Fae. The only known creatures to be able to change their appearance. The fact that her son looked human only gave them temporary security. His abilities would quickly betray them.
“Just some friendly advice.” Sybella said.
“You have too much confidence in yourself.” The woman hissed under her breath so that only she could hear.
Before anything else could be said the woman walked away. And the small family left the sanctuary.
When the doors closed Sybella sighed and sank into her seat. The event that had just occurred ran through her mind.
What could it mean for the future of the kingdom if Fae started to gain the appearance of humans? What could it mean for the future of the world? Fae were already hard to find but now? Now they could hide anywhere, at any time, with no one suspecting them even in a weakened state. The fact that Sameul didn’t consider his son to be a Fae was simply because he had round ears, plain hair and muted eyes.
The eyes.
The boy may not have the eyes of the Fae yet, but traces of his future could still be seen by Sybella. And she could see his eyes shine unnaturally bright as magic coursed through his veins.
The boy was going to grow into an immensely powerful magician.
A hand placed itself on Sybella’s shoulder. The scent of lavender was soft and comforting. It was the same scent that Hera used ever since Sybella had met her many years ago.
“You look so tired.” Hera said, gently squeezing her shoulder.
Sybella placed a gloved hand over the woman’s and nodded. “I am.” She replied. “I am very tired.”
“Good news for you, the sun is just about to set so the temple doors are closed for the day. You may go about your business as you like. You are no longer needed here.” Hera said.
Sybella grinned as she got to her feet. “Thank you, I think I will be taking my leave.”
“Don’t forget to take the servants with you, we don’t want you wandering too far from the temple, especially with the nomads about.” Hera warned.
“Of course.” Sybella said with a tight smile. “I would not dream of forgetting them.”
Sybella gestured for two servants. Both appeared on either side of her.
“We are at your bidding, high priestess.” The two girls murmured softly.
“I suppose we should get going before the day is completely gone.” Sybella said.
“Yes.” They said in unison.
As the three marched forward a familiar and nasty feeling moved in the pit of Sybella’s gut. It was a restless energy that had been growing for months, if not years and it was becoming unbearable.
The desire to be free from the watchful eyes of the temple was growing. And Sybella wondered if there would ever come a day when she would escape their grasp? Of all the futures she could see, it was a shame she couldn’t see her own. The price she would pay if she could.
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