Harper's Pathos

Chapter Sixteen: Lost in Translation

Morgan finally took the last step off of the temple's staircase and into the street. The morning had been a whirlwind as Harper prepared for their new job and the priestesses prepared for some event in the coming week. The young sorceress thought she would never get out of there. However, as she began to leave the place- 

"Mistress Lefay!" a young woman's voice called from behind her.

Oh for the love of Cira, she cursed to herself. Interrupted again, she turned to look over her shoulder. She had considered ignoring the voice and walking away, but she liked the sound of that honorary title too much. Mistress. Heh. I could get used to that...

"My name is Natah," said the petite priestess that approached her, "I am sorry for the delay of this, but a message came for you early this morning. I was so busy I forgot about it until you had a foot out of the door already." The girl handed her a scroll and dashed back towards the temple entrance before Morgan even had a chance to unroll it. 

"Uh- thanks..." she said this to no one, as the girl was already back inside.

Natah, she thought, Isn't that who saved us?

The sorceress supposed she would like to meet her properly at some point, but right now she had more pressing matters on her mind. As she began her commute to the House of Readers, she unfurled and read the message. She barely avoided bumping into several people and objects as she read, even smacking her head on one hanging shop sign. Being quite tall and rather attention deficit, this was far from uncommon for her. 

Regardless, she was indeed able to absorb the information while making some forward progress. On the paper were directions from the temple to a specific, presumably secluded location, as well as a time "Just after sundown," and a signature, "-N."

Wow, she pondered the message, slipping the scroll into a pocket in her kalasiris, Starting early with the secretive shit "N." You gonna have me memorize a password next? In truth, she had hoped that the meeting with her fellow heist-goers would be earlier. Though, she supposed this gave her more time to research if she needed it, so it wasn't all bad.

So, with an event for the early night added to her schedule, she continued on her way to her first task of the day, now no longer impeded by the act of reading.

* * *

The large door creaked as Morgan closed it behind her, locking the desert heat outside and leaving the stone, glass, and marble of the House of Readers nice and cool. As she slowly slinked into the room, she noticed that the front desk was manned by someone she hadn't seen before.

As she moved towards this man, a version of her usual mantra bounced about in her mind to prepare her for the interaction. Clear, dignified speech. You're meant to be here, look and sound like it. Her shoulders rolled back and she transitioned from soft, gliding steps into an elegant and confident stride.

Before the man could even ask her anything, she unfurled the scroll of passage she'd been given, "Fahdim. Morgan Lefay, here to confer with Reader Yusuf."

"Of course," he said, "Before you go to see him, he had several books pulled from the library for you earlier."

"Oh?"

From behind his desk, the man pulled out a small stack of tomes and placed them on the counter. "This is all of them. The Reader will be awaiting your arrival in his office. I trust you know the way?"

"Yes. Thank you." Morgan scooped up the books and carried them against her chest as she began down the hall to Yusuf's office. Each time her sandal hit the floor, the sound echoed through the stone building. It was unusual to her how silent the place was aside from footfalls, but it had grown to comfort her in the few times she'd been here. She liked the peace and quiet.