The new 10th Harbinger

Day Trip

Travelling from the outer cities of Snezhnaya to Zapolyarny Palace was a day trek by carriage. So, it didn't particularly shock Evangeline when Pierro and his guards led her to a horse drawn one and now, she sat inside the beautiful carriage, fit perfectly for a royal. She felt out of place, her old and ragged clothes rubbing against the shiny black leather of the seats. Sat directly across from her, was the director of the Fatui; dressed like the aforementioned royal.

Evangeline was stiff, almost worried about being the one to start a conversation. Was she supposed to speak? She had questions, but was it even appropriate to ask them? Before anymore questions could flood her mind, Pierro's voice cut her off, like he could sense her anxiety.

"You're not in trouble." His voice was calm and even, "Like I said before, you've been scouted to replace one of our number."

Evangeline couldn't fully believe what she was hearing. 'Me? Be a Harbinger?' Her mind  couldn't stop. 'What a joke...'  The idea that she had been watched the whole time, scared her. How much did they know? How had she never noticed? Or was it recent? Did they recently start looking at her? She didn't know and, she probably wouldn't have answers to those questions for a while. Still, she wasn't going to stop questioning things. She wanted answers, no, she needed answers.

The carriage moved along, crunching against the the snow covered paths. Evangeline looked out the window to her right, her city was almost on the horizon. 'How long have we been travelling? How long have I been in my own head?!?'  Deciding to stay silent was probably not her best plan, but it was a way to pass the time. She thought... thought long and hard about what she was about to walk into. What did she know about the Harbingers? Evangeline racked her brain for every speck of information she had. If she could compile a list of everything she had, she'd be prepared for what she was about to face.

She started with the man in front of her: Pierro. The Jester was his Harbinger name. He was intimidating, definitely deserving of his title of director of the Fatui. Rumors had circulated from the Palace that he was from the ancient civilization of Khaenri'ah, but Evangeline didn't like dealing in rumors. He was tall, towering over most people he stood next to. The clothes he wore gave off a similar intimidating aura, even if they weren't particularly flashy or extravagant. That's all she knew, that's all she could tell. She was good at reading people, but the man in front of her gave nothing away at all.

Moving away from Pierro, she decided to move in order to Capitano. The Captain, as he was usually referred to, was almost as much of an enigma as Pierro. People would say that, facing him in a fight, was a suicide mission. The faceless captain was not one to usually be seen, choosing to stay in the Palace or on a mission in a far off nation. He was well respected, the seat of the First Harbinger was well deserved. He never used his power for granted, wielding it responsibly like he did his great sword. Evangeline could easily recognize that his righteousness, could be dangerous.

Speaking of dangerous, Il Dottore, otherwise known as The Doctor was one of the most dangerous among the Harbingers. Taking the second spot certified just how menacing he was. It was said that the Harbingers were ranked on strength, but Evangeline wondered if that meant completely physical. Any discussion of The Doctor was done in hushed tones, as if he was always listening and would punish those who spoke about him. The truth, however, was that his shadow seemed to hold over the people to the point that even on the outermost cities, he was feared.

The third Harbinger looked the least intimidating to Evangeline, but she knew better than to underestimate The Damselette, Columbina. Evangeline couldn't get a read on her, she was one of the only Harbinger's Evangeline had never seen. Solely having to go on rumors was something she didn't like doing when figuring out a person. The rumors didn't seem baseless, however, mainly focusing on how she seemed more aloof and oblivious to everything around her. The fact that she was taking up the third seat, proved that she was strong enough to climb the ranks.

The Knave, Arlecchino, took up the fourth spot, having replaced the previous Knave, Crucabena. Running the House of the Hearth was all Evangeline really knew. It was an orphanage that helped sprout young children into becoming Fatui agents. One thing that confused her, however, was Arlecchino's lineage. She didn't look like a Fonatinian, like she had claimed in an exclusive interview with the Snezhnayan Post but, Evangeline supposed that wasn't any of her business.

The Mayor, the Rooster, Pulcinella had the fifth seat. As the name would imply, he helped govern Snezhnaya. From what Evangeline had seen of him from diplomatic announcements, he was short, having the features of one of the long lived elf species. He seemed more focused on meetings and the nation as opposed to fighting and strength. Evangeline could tell he was a risk though. He never fully showed his cards and that, is what made him a tricky opponent.

Scaramouche, or the Balladeer, was the sixth. He was another Harbinger Evangeline hadn't seen in public. The rumors about him swirled around like a storm cloud. He was cruel, wanting to be in charge of he was on a mission with another Harbinger. His nature intrigued Evangeline. No one became as cruel as the rumors say, without some sort of reason.

Sandrone, or Marionette as she was often referred to as, held the seventh spot. Compared to the other Harbingers, Sandrone actively hid inside Zapolyarny Palace. Not once since she was announced as a Harbinger, had anyone seen her. Rumors were quiet about her, as if people were scared she'd find out people were talking about her. Evangeline compared her to Dottore in that way but, she had a feeling it was much darker than that.

The Fair Lady was the only Harbinger Evangeline had personally crossed paths with before now. Going on a routine shopping trip, it was a shock to see the eighth Harbinger in a clothing store in an outer city. La Signora had been kind, but didn't share many words. Evangeline wondered if she had imagined the pain and suffering in her eyes that day, or if there was something bubbling deep inside the Harbinger. Evangeline also wondered if she would see her again, if after arriving at the Palace, she'd be recognized.

Evangeline knew of Pantalone well. He ran the banks, a business man at heart, and that made Evangeline's dislike for him even stronger. He seemed uncaring, like something wicked was hidden behind that tight lipped smile. His eyes seemed to always be closed in every photo she'd had the misfortune of seeing. He was hiding something, and Evangeline didn't know if she wanted to find out what that was.

The final Harbinger was also the newest and youngest. Tartaglia or Childe held the eleventh spot. Said to be a master of weapons, he was naturally ruthless on the battlefield. He often appeared with a carefree smile, seeming like the most approachable of the Harbingers. Had she not known, Evangeline could easily mistake him for a simple seller in a market, and that fact scared her.

From her assessments, every Harbinger had secrets, which was obvious, but Evangeline didn't want to stick around to discover them in her own time. Her worry grew as she felt the gravel roads change to a smooth path. They were getting closer to the Palace. She'd spent almost the whole ride thinking and worrying, when she could've been asking the man in front of her for answers. However, that was a hurtle in and of itself. Casually speak to the director of the Fatui? That seemed like a death wish.

Sucking in a breath, Evangeline swallowed her nerves, "What did you mean about me becoming a Harbinger?" Her voice was quiet, but her gaze was directly on Pierro. She was nervous, but she wasn't about to act it.

Hearing her voice dragged Pierro out of his own head, the ride having been basically silent till that point. "The tenth seat has been empty for years after a... tragic event. You've been scouted by some of our members personally." Pierro seemed as calm as ever, the question not shocking him. The answer, however, shocked Evangeline. It confirmed her suspicions that people were watching her. They'd seen her sneaking around, seen her doing some not so favorable tasks, they knew she was capable.

Deciding to simply nod instead of replying, Evangeline looks out the window, watching the snowy mountain peaks almost disappear below, She knew the Palace was at the peak of a mountain, but just how high were they? The sky was as clear as ever, not clouded by pollution like her hometown. It was beautiful, and that added to her nerves. She could get used to this. Seeing the beautiful sky, being treated with respect... she didn't want to get used to this. She'd spent almost her whole life hating the powers at be, and now she was going to become one?

'This isn't going to be good...'

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