The time of the plague

Chapter thirteen

Across Vesuvia, nearby, was the bustling crowd of the Center city's market place. Fiery red garlands hung loosely around the wooden market stalls- the aromatic fumes of the contrasting spices and sweet pastries pervaded the lively air. Whispers of the tragedy had spread as residents mumbled about the possibility of arson.
"Have you heard of the accusations?" an elderly lady gossiped to the baker Selasi, who was preparing her a bag of pumpkin bread.
Selasi nodding his head sorrowfully, replied with a sense of agitation in his tone, " Yes,I have. I don't believe Doctor Devorak could have done it... he came to this stall not too long ago with Vanessa. He seemed to have a bond with her."
The elderly lady cackled ferociously as she nipped, "Oh Selasi, Vesuvian doctors know how to act! He surely burnt the wing down. Apparently there was a figurine left of Devorak in the Count's room and he's also on the run,"
Selasi shaked his head in confusion, "That doesn't make sense, something happened in the palace that we don't know about..." as he handed the bag of warm pumpkin bread to the crouched lady, who staggered away down the market street.

Setting foot on the East Docks, Asra gently stretched his back after his long voyage from Nepal. Breathing the crisp air that he had dearly missed for so long, Asra walked ahead towards the Center City.
Turquoise blue irradiated the town square as a flock of pigeons clapped their wings loudly. The serenity of the place was admirable as the magician gazed up at the valiant fountain statue of a soldier riding a horse- realising how exquisite the carving of it was with fresh eyes. Looking around, he saw a pair of towns men staring sympathetically at him but quickly looking away when they met his sight.
Shaking off the strange occurrence, he became lost in his thoughts.
"I wonder how Vanessa is doing, I shouldn't have left her like that," Asra guiltily pondered as he continued, "She's all alone in the shop and probably ill from all the stress I gave her. I should be looking after her. Maybe I'll get her some pastries to make her feel better. She'll surely forgive me then,".
Meandering off further into the city, he finally reached the beloved marketplace, taking in the cacophony of sounds- people gossiping as they lugged their overloaded bags, stalls overflowing with produce,stall holders hollering out their special deals, customers haggling over prices... This is what he missed every morning. Gleefully smirking at the nostalgic sight, he weaved his way through the herd,catching a glimpse of his baker who was busily taking out a batch of fresh flaky pastries.

Filled with exuberance, he raced his way to the stall while calling out chirply to the baker, "Selasi! How are you?".
Glaring up, he recognised his daily customer Asra's voice as he stammered in confusion due to the lack of grief in the magician's face, "Asra? I haven't seen you in ages...how are you feeling,"
"Oh I'm okay Selasi, I went to Nepal for a while that's all. Anyways, may I have two of your delicious pastries please?" Asra cheeped in happiness.
"Two? But-" Selasi almost continued but a flash of discern captured him as he realised Asra hadn't heard of the news yet.
"Has someone bonked your head,Selasi?" Asra laughed, "Another for Vanessa of course! How is she by the way, I'm sure she couldn't resist coming here for a morning vanilla chai and pastries?'
Unable to break the harrowing death of his treasured apprentice to the gleaming magician, eyes stinging with tears, the baker stirred with a forced smile, "She's... great Asra,. Here you go,"-handing him a bag of the pastries; unable to meet his eyes.
Hurriedly taking the bag from the shaking Selasi, Asra cried, "Well I better be off, can't let this get cold for Vanessa to eat!" as he rushed off away from the marketplace to find Vanessa.

Once Asra got to the shop, he walked in and called out to vanessa. When he didn't get a response, he started looking around the shop for Vanessa but he couldn't find her. Since she was nowhere to be seen, he decided to head out to the market to try and find her. As he opened the door, he saw Tilde.
"Hi...Asra is it? Can I come in?" Tilde asked.
"I'm sorry, who are you?" Asra asked.
"I'll tell you soon, just please let me in. I'll explain everything once you do" Tilde said.
"I'm sorry but this isn't a good time," Asra said, closing the door. Tilde put her foot in the doorway and said "it's about Vanessa".
Asra stepped back and opened the door letting Tilde in. Asra took Tilde's cloak and noticed a familiar raven on her shoulder. 'Is that Mischief? No it can't be he's always with Vanessa' Asra thought as he put Tilde's cloak on the coat stand.
"Come through here and take a seat" Asra said leading Tilde through to the back and sat down at the tarot table. Tilde sat facing him.
"So first things first,who are you?" Asra asked.
"I work for Doctor Julian Devorak as a leech dealer. My name is Tilde" she answered.
"Ok so how did you come to know Vanessa?" Asra asked curiously.
"Well the day after you left, Doctor Devorak brought Vanessa to the palace so she wouldn't be here alone without you. She then helped take care of Lucio before she fell ill with the plague and she was in a bad way but then Doctor Devorak accidentally poisoned her which made her condition worse-" Tilde started to quickly explain but was interrupted by Asra, getting up to leave.
"I have to go to the palace to see Vanessa," Asra said with urgency.
"I wouldn't bother Asra," Tilde sighed in trepidation as she continued sorrowfully, "Vanessa and the Count were found dead in their bedroom which was set on flames...". Asra's eyes widened in horror as his violet eyes turned bloodshot red with tears.
"Portia gave me Vanessa's will and told me to show you and Doctor Devorak it" Tilde said, placing the will on the table. Asra slowly sat down and stared at the will in disbelief.
"How did this happen? This makes no sense- she can't be dead?" the magician quivered fearfully.
"I know, I found out this morning on the way to the palace. Everything is in question right now. However, they surely couldn't survive the mass of the fire especially in their weak condition" Tilde mumbled hopelessly.
Massaging his head, he caught a glimpse of the scroll of paper upon the tarot desk- quickly looking away.
"I can't Tilde... I don't deserve to read her will" Asra sobbed heavily as his throat croaked. Tearfully, he continued, "It's all my fault, she would have never caught the plague if I hadn't left her. I was so selfish. Vanessa probably hates me now...". Slumping his head weakly upon the tarot desk, teardrops rippled down his cheeks as he squinted with regret. Unexpectedly in the midst of his terrorising thoughts, a warm touch stroked his clenched hand, Tilde whispering softly, "She doesn't hate you Asra, I promise. During her last moments, Vanessa kept telling me of all the adventures she had with you and how she couldn't have asked for a better mentor. She loved you endlessly Asra...never forget that,". Raising his head slightly to meet the dealer's eyes, a soft smirk spread across his face as memories of his loyal Vanessa filled his mind- the weight of guilt lifting off his shoulders. Gently,he picked up the rolled up piece of paper;carefully unravelling the rouge ribbon that was loosely tied. As soon as he unscrolled the letter, a wave of sadness drowned him after seeing Vanessa's slanted handwriting inscribed upon the piece of paper- caressing the valued ink with his thumb. Inhaling his uncontrollable grief, he started to read the immaculate writings of his Apprentice:

Dear Asra (my one and only idol and mentor),

I know what you might be thinking once you find yourself reading this letter, "Vanessa, what mess have you got yourself into?". Hopefully the messenger of this letter has informed you of my condition but long story short- I've caught the plague. And if you are having to read this letter, then my suspicions were right...I couldn't survive it.

You might be wondering why I have chosen to honour a part of my will to you. Well, have you lost your mind Asra... of course I would! You are my dearest companion who has taught me everything during my short lifetime. I've most likely scarred you with permanent headaches from me constantly whining and being immature for my age. But you have surprisingly been so patient and forgiving- I honestly couldn't appreciate it more. As an apprentice of yours- it's my duty to give back for all the hard work you've done for me. So, I've decided to give you some of my wealth to fund your magic shop- take it as a homage of appreciation for all the wonderful memories I've had with you there. I've also wanted to hand you down my most treasured rocks... you know how much they mean to me don't you? Use them as a symbol of me and whenever you feel alone or feel the need to talk to me about something - hold it, I'll always be listening.

Also, I know you Asra- in and out. You're always riddled with guilt for the littlest things and I'm sure you're haunted by the fact you left me. Don't be. I have no hatred in my body for you and that will firmly stay that way. You're gifted with the skill of enlightening the most foolish. Not only have you taught me how to use my magic to my advantage, how to speak your language and read others fortunes- you've also taught me how to be a decent being, transforming my stubborn self with kindness and appreciation. I honestly couldn't put into words how much you mean to me, Asra.

I miss you as well! I haven't seen you in months and hopefully you aren't still angry at me. As they say:  'the two hardest things in life are to say hello for the first time and goodbye for the last'. But don't be dismayed at goodbyes- they're necessary before we meet again.

So I bid you adieu my dearest Asra,

till we meet again...

Tilde put a satchel on the table for Asra to take. "What's this?" Asra asked looking at the satchel as he rolled up Vanessa's will.
"It's the money and rocks Vansssa wanted to give you," Tilde answered.
"Oh right" Asra said, opening the bag and taking out the rocks and looking at them all with a smile on his face. Mischief hopped off of Tilde's shoulder and walked over to one of the rocks and picked it up.
"Tilde, is that Mischief?" Asra asked.
"Yeah it is. Vanessa left me him in her will. She also added instructions on how to take care of him as well" Tilde said softly petting Mischief's head.
"If you need any help with him just let me know and I will help you" Asra said.
Mischief cawed happily with the rock in his mouth. "Do you want to keep that one?" Asra asked Mischief.
Mischief cawed 'yes'.
"Alright then You can keep it" Asra said giving him some pets.
Faust slithered up the table and nudged Mischief asking 'where's friend?'
'I don't know' Mischief cawed.
Faust nudged Asra and repeated 'where's friend?'.
"Well Faust, Vanessa passed away. She was very ill and ended up passing away due to a fire that was started in the room she was in" Asra explained as tears formed in his eyes.
Mischief dropped the rock he was holding, tilting his head to one side in disbelief. His caws (reminiscent of heartbroken cries) bellowed from his beak as he pecked Arsa in agitation- almost in hope that this wasn't true. Slithering beside the inconsolable raven was Faust; she began to gently hiss at Mischief in a soothing tone as she whirred, "It's okay Mischief...friend will always be there in the sky to watch you fly,".
Desire clouded Mischief's vision while clapping his feathered wings in anticipation - squawking to Faust, "I want to see friend. I want her to be okay...". Tilde looked at Asra sorrowfully and then glared back at Vanessa's companion- reaching out her arm in support.
"Fly Mischief... she's waiting for you," Tilde chirped encouragingly. Hurriedly, Mischief hops up upon his new owner's arm- staring out at the open stained glass window that revealed the infinite skies above. Cawing loudly, he fluttered his wings and took off- his jet black form grew smaller and smaller as he flew further into the clouds.