Tale of Four

After half an hour of getting to know one another, Tryak rose and clapped his hands, ”Come, I’ll take you to meet your new companion.” Isis nodded as servants walked in to clean up the table of food and tea. Following him, she looked around, taking in the craftsmanship of the manor. Despite the long halls, which felt bigger than necessary, the walk was quick, and soon enough, Tryak opened a door into a guest room where an old man with grey hair, combed to the side, sat, rubbing a thick beard that wrapped around his chin and cheeks, wearing a perfectly pressed butler uniform with white gloves. He was a handsome man, despite his years, with a sharp jaw and eyes.

In his other hand, he held a book, laughing to himself as he read. Isis wondered what he was reading. ”Seth.” The old man looked up and met Tyrak’s gaze before looking over to Isis. Finally getting a clear look at his eyes, Isis couldn’t help but stare at their beauty and strangeness. His right eye’s iris was brown and normal, but the pupil was different, the top and bottom of it broken and stretching up and down, splitting his iris like a snake.

His left eye was cloudy, going blind with age, but on his face, it added the mystic of his other eye, the fogginess like a cloud of seas over a brown plain. When the candlelight reflected off it, it was as if the sun rose behind the clouds. Staring deeper, Shae saw past all of it and finally saw a deep wisdom hidden behind a playfulness that couldn’t be taken from him with his age.

”Tyrak.” Seth rose and placed a hand on his chest, giving an exaggerated deep bow, crossing his legs as he did. Rising, he walked over to Isis and grabbed her hand, bowing once again and bringing it to his lips, ”Such a beautiful lady. If you are taking a mistress, My Jude, then I must tell your darling wife. It would only be fair that she can share a companion as well.

Tyrak stared at Seth for a moment before choking on his own laughter and pointing a finger at him. Tyrak looked to Isis, ”This is what I mean.” Saying, he shook his head, ”He has no fear, no respect, openly saying these things.” Seth smiled, flashing his perfectly white teeth.

”You flatter me.” Placing a hand on his chest again, he performed the bow once more.

”Enough.” Tyrak strolled forward and stood where Seth did, picking up the book he was reading, ”The Tales of the Warrior. Hardly a comedy.”

”You don’t look deep enough.” Seth said and sat on the edge of the table, wrapping his hands around the edge, ”There is comedy even in tragedy.” Looking at Isis, he smiled again and turned back to Tyrak, ”So, why have you brought me this lady. Have you decided to find me a wife? You shouldn’t have gone all the way to Veston to do that for me.”

”You know I’m from Veston?” Isis asked, getting a nod from Seth, who looked down at her clothes.

”You dress like them.” Seth turned back to Tryak. Tyrak smiled.

”She wishes to travel Oros. You will join her. Be her translator and guide.” Seth stared for a moment before lifting both hands to his heart, looking as if he could cry.

”You honour me.” Turning to Isis, he sighed, ”To be able to travel alone with such a lady, sharing her company and building our love.” Getting to a knee, Seth took her hand, bringing it to his lips again, ”What have I done to deserve such grace from you, My Jude?” Tyrak rolled his eyes and looked at Seth with slight disgust.

”You’re an old man, can you at least act your age?”

”Old body, young heart.” Seth snapped back and rose. Staring deep into Isis’s blue eyes, he smiled, ”Let us leave quickly and leave this weird man alone.” Looking at Tyrak, he smiled, ”I’ll be sure to say goodbye to your lovely wife before I do.” Tyrak sighed and stood up.

”You may stay for the night and rest. In the meantime, talk and plan your journey. I have matters I must attend to.” Tyrak looked at Seth before meeting Isis’s eyes, ”He is a strange person, but I can vouch for his capability. Do not be too alarmed.”

”It is fine,” Isis gracefully said, looking at Seth, ”He is rather interesting.” Shaking his Tyrak, he left, leaving the two alone. Seth quickly moved, dragging another chair over to the one he had previously sat at, before falling into it, crossing his legs and interlocking his fingers in one movement.

”I am glad I aroused your interest.” Isis took a seat and stared at the man. ”Now I am sure you have many questions, and I would be more than happy to tell you.” Isis watched him, Seth’s perfect smile never cracking as he stared at her, with unfiltered desire. Such a look would have usually made her uncomfortable, but from the old man, she couldn’t help but find it amusing. ”You’re rather bold. I do not understand well what a Jude is, but if they are anything like a lord of Veston, your actions would have seen you lose your head.”

”Every court has a jester. Sometimes a man of power needs someone who will be a fool to tell them what they are.” Seth tapped his thumbs together, ”But even then, if I died because of who I am, then I guess the Gods wish to have me sooner.” Isis laughed, covering her mouth, ”Such a beautiful laugh.”

”Please stop trying to court me.” Isis waved her hand, ”I wonder, even if you are what you are, the Jude seems to hold you in some favour. There must be a reason.” Seth nodded and closed his eyes for a moment, trying to think of a way to describe himself in the most grandiose way possible.

”I am the student of the man who glimpsed Godhood. I am a wanderer who has seen many things. The Magi, or sorcerers as we call them over here, have dreams about the things I know.” Seth said with complete honesty, completely believing everything he said, ”I am a sorcerer, a philosopher, a creator, a guide, a holy man and unholy one.” Seth leaned forward and finally pulled his hands apart and grabbed Isis’s long white hair, playing with it between his gloved fingers, ”But I am interested in what a lady such as yourself is. Such a colour reminds me of the past.”

Isis pulled her hair back after a second and fixed it. ”Why’s that?” Seth smiled and siad nothing. Sighing, Isis carried on, ”I am a chronicler.” She reached into the bag and pulled out her journal, making Seth’s eyes go wide. ”Would you like to read?” Handing the book over, the man lovingly stroked the cover, making sure to take care of the artefact as if it were his own.

”Such craftsmanship. To be smart enough to sustain the creation of new pages when one is filled.” Analysing the runes a little longer, he respectfully nodded, ”They use the power of the world for it. Amazing. May I?” Asking if he could read, Isis allowed him. Opening the first page, Seth carefully read the story of her mother, not making a sound, his playful attitude dropping as he read, replaced by a mournful look. Slowly, he flipped through pages, opening random ones. He would laugh, turn serious, nod and widen his eyes with excitement for each new page, finally reaching the end where an empty page waited to be filled.

Closing the book, he carefully handed the journal back, ”I need ask no more. That tells me everything about who you are.” Seth leaned back, ”You are a storyteller, but I wonder if you realise that these stories are all your own now.”

”How so?”

”They are your life, your experiences. The tale of many is your tale.” Seth smiled, ”And now I am part of that life.” His flirtatious attitude returned, ”There is no need to tell my past; instead, let us write our future.” Isis shook her head and put the journal away.

”I look forward to our future together.” Holding her hand out Seth grabbed the tips of her fingers and lowered his head, peeking up with a grin.