nycdaug Chapter 123 - 123: Junior Sorceress Melisa Blackflame, Part Nine
Chapter 123 - 123: Junior Sorceress Melisa Blackflame, Part Nine
Zephyra sat at her desk, a frown etched onto her face as she sifted through the stack of documents before her. The words seemed to blur together, her mind drifting back to her conversation with Javir the previous day.
[She's obviously hiding something,] Zephyra thought, her fingers tapping against the polished wood. [But what? And why?]
It was clear that Javir cared for Melisa, perhaps more than a mentor should. But the way she spoke about the girl, the carefully chosen words and the guarded look in her eyes... it set Zephyra on edge.
[I don't want to make an enemy of her,] Zephyra sighed, leaning back in her chair. [And, it doesn't seem like she has bad intentions. But, I hate not knowing what the people around me want. I can't ignore this. Melisa is my student now, even if it is for a couple of weeks. I need to know what I'm dealing with.]
A sudden knock at the door jolted her out of her thoughts.
"Enter," she called, straightening up and schooling her features into a neutral expression.
A courier stepped inside, bowing low before approaching the desk.
"Lady Vortell," he said, his voice urgent. "I-"
He stopped, his eyes falling to Zephyra's body.
Her robes had parted, and Zephyra had no intention of bringing them together. The man blushed.
"Yes?" Zephyra asked, smirking back at him, crossing one elegant leg over the other.
He shook his head.
"News from the city. There's a report of a strange illness in the lower quarters. The healers are at a loss, and they've requested your aid."
"And, I take it they sent for me immediately?"
"Yes."
"Good," Zephyra nodded.
She already had an idea of what this could be about, just from hearing the healers couldn't handle it.
[This is likely no ordinary illness,] she thought, her mind already racing through the possibilities. [No, it's probably...]
She stood abruptly, startling the courier.
"Prepare a carriage," she ordered, her voice sharp. "And send word to the academy. Tell them I require the assistance of my apprentice, Melisa Blackflame."
The courier bowed again, hurrying out of the room to carry out her commands.
Zephyra turned to the window, staring out at the city below.
[This could be the perfect opportunity to test Melisa's abilities,] she mused, a small, grim smile tugging at her lips. [And to see just how much Javir has been keeping from me.]
--
Melisa fidgeted in her seat, trying to ignore the way Zephyra's eyes seemed to bore into the side of her head... And trying to ignore the way she could literally see one of Zephyra's nipples as her robe gave way to it.
[Holy fuck...]
They'd been riding in silence for the better part of an hour, the only sound the creaking of the carriage wheels and the distant clamor of the city streets.
[Uh, so, what does she want from me?] Melisa wondered, chewing on her lower lip. [Why did she ask me to come with her?]
She'd been surprised when the messenger had arrived at the academy, informing her that the court sorceress required her presence. She'd barely had time to grab her cloak and her satchel before being whisked away, Armia and Isabella shooting her concerned looks as she left.
Now, sitting across from Zephyra in the cramped carriage, Melisa couldn't shake the feeling that some kind of test was on the way.
[Well, whatever it is, I'm not going to let her down,] Melisa thought, squaring her shoulders.
"Alright, we're here," Zephyra said suddenly, her voice cutting through the silence like a knife.
Melisa looked out the window, her eyes widening at the sight of the run-down buildings and narrow, twisting streets. She'd never been to this part of the city before, and the poverty and desperation were palpable in the air.
"Stay close," Zephyra warned as they stepped out of the carriage. "And keep your wits about you. We don't know what we're dealing with yet."
Melisa nodded, falling into step beside the sorceress as they made their way down the street. People stared as they passed, their eyes hollow and their faces gaunt. Many of them were coughing, their bodies wracked with shudders and chills.
[Man... I didn't know they had it this bad.]
They arrived at a small, dingy clinic, the smell of sickness and despair hanging heavy in the air. A haggard-looking healer greeted them at the door, his eyes widening in recognition when he saw Zephyra.
"Lady Vortell," he said, bowing low. "Thank you for coming. As protocol dictates, as soon as we saw that we couldn't deal with this ourselves, we sent for you."
Zephyra waved him off, striding past him into the clinic. Melisa followed, her heart pounding in her chest as she took in the beds in front of them, each one occupied by a suffering patient.
3 in total. Zephyra was already moving among the beds, looking for something, her hands glowing with a soft, pulsing light as she examined each patient in turn. Melisa watched, transfixed, as the sorceress worked, her brow furrowed in concentration.
"Well, I believe I have an idea of what's going on here. But, Melisa," she turned toward her. "What do you think is going on?"
Melisa gulped.
"I... Um, well-"
"I'll give you the answer."
"Please do."
Zephyra began pacing side-to-side.
"Firstly, they're all nim."
Melisa scolded herself.
[Right. I should have been able to point that out.]
"But, second," Zephyra continued and Melisa looked up at her. "This is no ordinary illness. This is what's called a 'curse'."
Melisa blinked, her mind reeling.
She'd re
But, she wouldn't be the first person to commit evil acts while having a good heart. Blood Magic was a dangerous tool, and Zephyra needed to make sure Melisa could be trusted with it.
[I won't confront her about the Blood Magic,] Zephyra decided, her jaw clenching. [At least, not yet. I need to know more before I make any accusations or judgments.]