Order of Aria

Chapter Six: Unfortunate Entrances

    Bottles line the oaken tables, books open to pages with a language only known to few, and a charred body lays still, trapped within a sphere of pruina. A magnifying glass and illumination crystal float around it, focusing on the more severe spots. Esmeray is standing near the items, examining the body. "It appears that the severe burns aren't near any ignition points. They almost seem untouched?" She turns around to the desk behind her and writes down her findings on a piece of parchment.

    "What am I missing? I have to try and find everything I can before the other mages get a look. Medeis knows what Loracan would do if she got the information first. I am not in the mood to have to pay her for something we all could've found." She turns towards another desk to look through a book filled with symbols. "Maybe it's a type of symbol? I sure hope not because finding any of these guys are going to be horrific. I need to go grab one of the Visibility Crystals."

    She walks towards the cabinet in the corner of the room. She pulls open the top right drawer and shuffles through different colored crystals. "Hm is it in a different drawer? This is full of mostly Lumination Crystals. Damn it, where is it?" She closes that drawer and goes to the one beside it to search for the crystal she needs. In her rush and noise, she doesn't hear the footsteps arriving at her door.

    The door opens wide, "Hey Esme I got some books that might help with whatever that w-", the books drop to the floor with a loud thud as Ronwynn freezes in her tracks. Her hands fly to her gaping mouth as she stares at the sight before her. She sees the body of Syllan Keyfiir, the man she saw burst into flames earlier in the day. The magnifying glass falls to the floor with a thump while the crystal shatters on contact. Esmeray runs towards her, signaling the door to close and then grasping Ronwynn's wrists. She makes sure to block the sight before her with her own body.

    "Breath Ronwynn. Breath. Deep breaths. Focus on me, look at my eyes." Ronwynn's terrified brown eyes look into Esmeray's magenta ones. "I know this looks weird but, it's something that I needed to do." She lowers Ronwynn's hands from her mouth and holds them in hers. Ronwynn's rushed breathing slows a bit. "I know this is a shock to you but, like we have to be medics, we also have to be coroners."

    "What do you mean 'be coroners'? That's not in the job description Esme! I was told we would study magic, as in spells and potions. Not criminals' bodies!" Esmeray sighs and backs up a bit, still keeping a hold of Ronwynn's hands.

    "I know, I know. But sometimes things like this have to be done. If someone is to die under mysterious circumstances and they are either held in high authority or a person of high importance, we need to intervene. Regular coroners can only do so much when examining bodies."

    "And they don't have magical ones? There's always someone for the magical version of a job but not for this? Do they know how this can affect someone?"

"Yes they do, that's why it goes to the Royal Magician. They aren't just trained to deal with royal matters or entertainment but, we have to deal with death. There comes a time in almost every magician's life when they have to deal with death in some way. Be it giving, taking, or observing."

    "That doesn't exactly make me excited to take your place."

    "You're right. It shouldn't and it's something that I should've mentioned to you earlier. I'm sorry that this," she lets go of her hand to gesture behind her, "is how you found out. I would like to say 'better late than never' but I don't think it would be right." She laughs nervously and scratches behind her head.

    "Yeah, it's not exactly the most reassuring thing. Can I go sit in the hall to compose myself, I guess?"

    "Yeah of course. Do what you need, kid. I'll just clean up in here. Do you want me to come get you whenever I'm done?"