Chapter 3: A Whole New World

People come out of their homes in the city, filling the streets as dawn approaches and the storm passes them by. Some lead strange looking horses with humps on their backs. A man wearing grey fabric on his head and dark skin looks curiously at the group as they traipse into town. They pass more people with strange garb, and head coverings. These people have far more color in the clothing than the people of Florence. And neither walls or guards surround the city. Many stalls and vendors line the street with different goods, cloths, food, jewelry, etc. They feel the eyes of people on them as they walk the now bustling avenue, their skin prickling with heat. On one of the walls of a building there's a map of the city and writing in a language they can't read. When suddenly the letters bend and shift into recognizable words: The City of Mecca. The group deliberates a moment and decides to head to a marker on the map that reads "Prophet's birthplace."

The four get in a cue that extends to the historic site. They hear the chatter of people around them and when they, themselves speak it's in some strange language.

A man is talking to another man, telling him he traveled far from a "hoj." Viridis speaks to him. He asks if they are recent converts to Islam. To which she replies yes. He says, "May Muhammad bless you."

A man begins a call to Islamic prayer and everyone in the street bows, facing the same direction. They each attempt to do the same, falling to their knees giving each other looks of confusion.

They decide to leave the line for now since it was moving so slowly and buy clothes to fit in more as well as find a healer for Imilia who is still unconscious on Viridis' horse.

They see some men dressed like guards setting up food stalls. Saying may the prophet bless you and handing out bread to citizens.

A man runs up asking Viridis asking her to wait. "You're not from around here."

"No, we're, uh, traveling merchants looking for a healer"

"I have a proposition for you. If you agree to do a job for me, I can find a healer right away."

Viridis follows him without consulting the group, hell bent on helping her kin. Ivetta and Castor share a moment like wtfffff isn't this how we got in the last mess??

He leads them to a nice apartment building, tossing a coin to a serving boy he tells him to watch their horses. Castor gives Asur a pet thinking he might never see him again. Viridis grabs her sister from atop her own steed. The man asks a servant to take her sister, care for her, and to call a healer.

Beautiful atrium inside, lattice structures in the walls, arching ceilings rise high, and fine rugs sprawl on the floor. He takes his dagger and puts it on a small table and asks them to do the same.

Viridis lays down a dagger, Marco, his spear. Ivetta keeps her dagger hidden and Castor has no weapons to lay down.

He shows them into a sitting room with a balcony overlooking the city. Introducing himself as Anwar el- Yassin he says "I'm looking for outsiders to become servants in the palace, hear the chatter and report back to me." He explains outsiders need not be paid as much and therefore are sought after in the palace. Virids looks to the group and says "we'll think about it" but he replies, "You have already agreed."

Ivetta protests but El Yassin says Viridis' sister is already receiving the best of care.

Begrudgingly, they ask what it is they should be listening for.

He tells them "listen for information on the prince, his entourage, constantinople. It would be said under hushed conditions. You'll know when you hear it. Report back to me tomorrow morning."

Man with a beard knocks asking if Viridis is the sister of the woman downstairs. She says yes and the man asks for the room.  Ivetta, Marco and Castor leave Viridis to speak to the doctor.

He asks her if she can tell him what happened to her. "She was in an explosion, of sorts."

"I assure you no one will hear of what happened to her. Please I must know.everything to help her."

"Alright well I believe she was possessed and a god or demon I haven't decided yet, which exercised it from her. My name is Rosemarie and my sister’s name is Laurel."

"Any family history of medical conditions?"

"Nah, we hardy merchants."

He recommends visiting the mosque. "Supernatural is beyond my experience. I'll be outside tonight to meet you after I examine your sister to see what I can do."

When she comes out Virids looks angry. Castor looks guilty af and doesn't make eye contact with Viridis. The guard from before leads them downstairs.

Now, around midday, they head to the palace. Two guards stop them and ask their business. Castor says "we wish to be servants."

A young kid called to take them to the woman who deals with the servants.  In the palace, embedded into the floor of a beautiful foyer, they recognize the symbol from their vision. Lead through a square door to a room that smells like horses but none can be seen. Everyone here is also cacasian as well as very nervous.

Castor is taken in for an interview first.

Woman with a hijab sits behind a desk with a serving boy fanning her. She asks for his name, religion, and whether I want to serve. "Uh Castor, Christian, yes ma'am." She nods and says he'll be paid on sundays then to gtfo

He returns looking a bit put off but triumphant.

Marco didn't get a job because he told the woman he was Muslim. \*facepalm\*

Ivetta got a job and was told she would be staying in the servants quarters with the other girls.

Viridis did not get a job. In fact, raised voices could be heard through the door.

Afterward they all leave, two being told to report at dawn.

A young attractive guy catches up to them and starts speaking to Ivetta and Viridis. "I haven't seen you before, did you come through the ward?" The what? "The ward is a place where the traveling Christians gather to be with their own." Castor perks up at this asking where it is.

He asks if they're Christian. Ivetta responds with "we are if you are." He looks weirded out at that and then points the direction of the ward and yeets on out of there.

The group looks around in the direction the boy pointed them and find only desert. Castor and Ivetta climb a big ol sand dune but see nothing in the vicinity.

Marco and Viridis go off to look around the city. Castor and Ivetta go to the prophet’s birthplace. After waiting 2.5 hours in line the two reach an underwhelming stone house. A guard stops them and asks if we’re followers of Islam. Of course they say they're recent converts and he lets them in. Bookshelves line the walls and hundreds of people praying. They look around a bit looking for hints of gold.

Castor takes a book off the shelf and hands it to Ivetta asking what it's about. She reads a few lines flipping through and says about something called kalieifs of the united califace. He unshelves another, handing it to her again, this one is about a math professor from the house of Baghdad. They decide there is nothing about the necklace here to see and leave.

Meet up with Marco and Viridis. They found the ward but the kid they met told everyone there that they were blasphemers and they ran away.

Go back to El Yassin's house. The doctor says Viridis’ sister is in a coma and it’ll take a few days for her to recover. He leads them to the mosque answering a few questions about Islam on the way.

There should be a man who upkeeps the mosque and they should speak to him for supernatural guidance.

Marco sniffs real weird and the doctor pauses asking to see his palms. He has no tools but checks for fever and says Marco has one! "I-im sorry but we have no money, we can’t pay you." He says he will diagnose for free but treatment will cost money. Marco goes back to his office with him.

Castor, Ivetta, and Viridis enter the mosque. An overall plain building with 6 mats on the floor with people praying on them. A man dressed in white at the front. Viridis goes up and tries to talk to him. He only puts his finger to his lips. She steps back and curiously looks around, opening a door to a long room with a desk with sleeping mats.

Another man walks over and asks what it is she thinks she is doing. Viridis explains she needs to talk to the head guy and he tells us to wait outside.

The man in white comes out after 10 minutes or so.

“Sorry about my attendant, he can be very bracing.”

Viridis explains her sister needs his help, that “I believe her illness is beyond that which Catholicism can help.” he wishes to see the patient so we head back to the house.

He explains more in depth about Islam to them.

There are 5 pillars of islam. Profession of faith. One god muhhamud is prophet. Prey 5 times a day toward Mecca. Give alms to charity. Fasting especially during Ramadan. A Haj is a pilgrimage to mecca. Peaceful religion that shares many of the same stories as Christianity. Such as Michael the archangel. Demons in Islam as well.

Marco comes out of the house, looking quite sickly and tells us the doctor told him to get a hijab. The priest offers to get him one but first goes to see Imilia. When he comes back out he says he needs to return with supplies. They all return to the mosque and he gets a Hijab and other implements. Castor tentatively asks him if they can stay in the mosque tonight. He says of course and leaves them there. Castor follows him out and asks if Imilia will be alright and what he is going to do. He says he’s going to perform an exorcism.

They are given mats on which to sleep as well as soup. The soup is spicy. The soup clears Marco’s nose up which is nice. Viridis and Ivetta are smoking at the ears. But Castor doesn't react to the spice and Viridis is like ??? Castor explains that he lost his sense of smell working with metals most his life and therefore can’t taste much.

Before sleep, Castor prays for Marco’s quick recovery and that it may be nothing serious as well as hoping that Ivetta and Viridis keep their good health and that they may find the object they seek soon, it is very hot here. He adds that she’d like Imilia to be alright, that the nice man expel whatever demon possessed her.

Castor and Ivetta leave in the morning before dawn and head to the palace

They are led to the stable with the other new workers and are told to stand apart and stand up straight, looking forward. Other servants bring clothes and put them neatly in front of each person. The woman from yesterday comes in. She says they’ll be paid a piece of copper for every hour they work. They are to wear the uniform everyday, wash it, and report there at dawn. You will receive your assignments after you change.

Castor is the last one out of the changing room after waiting for everyone to leave before changing. Castor and Ivetta will work together cleaning the floors of the central room of the palace. Told to clean from top to bottom, it should sparkle.

While they work they hear two women talk about the princes’ festival. Military man goes up the stairs carrying scrolls.

Midday assaulted by a woman’s voice. “Put your buckets down, you won't need them. Follow me. Boy, take this,” she trusts a feather fan in Castor’s arms and a tray of food into Ivetta’s. “You’re going to go into that room, say nothing, only fan and serve. You two are the right size, you are the only candidates left.” they are then shoved into a room filled with cushions and people lounging. In the center of the room, a table shin-height pillows splayed in front. A well dressed man stretched out on them. A woman sits on a couch with a veil. Two other men sit at the table conversing, a curl of smoke lites from a stick incense. Fine gold and silk adorn both people and furniture. A balcony overlooks a courtyard. Two other servants stand in the back, one holding water and another a book. The oldest man wears brown garb with purple trim. Greying short hair, Tall, chiming into the conversation every so often. Around his neck, the ornate symbol for which they search but this one is silver. This man is the prince and the two others are his advisors, men in blue, younger and matter of fact. Castor starts to fan the Prince and Ivetta offers him food.

They talk about the problem in the Catholic ward: A blasphemer passed through, and the Catholics demand blood. The prince says “I will have talks with the leaders. Solve this without bloodshed.”

Jewish money lenders are raising interest on our loans. “We need to refinance or figure something else out.”

Been told by rabbis that passover is upon us they request to paint lambs blood on their doors. “Let them.”

Discuss plans for coming month of Ramadan.

“My prince, we’ve heard from various sources your son is trying to aggressively refinance with the Jewish bankers.” “Please, I can talk with him about this myself.”

He stands to leave but first speaks to Castor asking his name and faith, he tells him. “You did your duties well, I assume Ms. Elsa hired you, she has an eye for finding talent.” then he approaches Ivetta, “Ah, a desert flower, I like these two we shall keep them on” Speaking to Ivetta he says she will join his Harem.

They are released for the day and the prince leaves.

Ms. Esla corners the two and with a fake ass smile tells them that they had better not jeopardize her position. She’s super angry the prince noticed them at all and tells us to come back early tomorrow. Ivetta needs new clothes and to be taught some things about being in the harem

They head back to the mosque looking for Marco. They do not find him there and learn that Viridis also left. They go to el Yassin's house to look for them, asking the guards to go get him. He comes out and they tell him what happened at the palace, what they heard with the prince. He is angry and yells at them for bringing back information he could have asked anyone! Castor begins to cry, apologizing. Ivetta gets angry and tries to explain the prince didn't say anything else and that we’ll go back tomorrow. He slams the door in their faces after throwing some coins on the ground. Castor manages, through tears, to convince the guard to see if the doctor is inside. Reluctantly, the guard goes and gets him. The doctor tells them that Viridis hasn’t been here and that her sister is recovering.

Castor is freakin’ the fuck out: Half of her friends are missing, the have no way of finding them in the dark and they have to work early tomorrow so they can’t search. Marco is still sick and Viridis always gets herself into trouble. He panics. Ivetta tries to calm him but Castor falls to his knees, hands clasped together, praying.

His eyes light up. A beam of light shoots up and a gale force wind pushes both Ivetta and the guards away into walls.

Castor begins floating, only slightly off the ground, wind still whipping about. Ivetta struggles against the wind, making her way toward Castor. Shouting at him “Castor stop, it's okay!” She reaches him and grabs his hand. His head snaps to look at her, eyes burning with aggression, no recognition seen in his face. She calls to him, “come back.”

This time he seems to hear her as he crumples like a sack of potatoes into her arms. The light fades as does the wind. Ivetta looks around seeing if anyone saw and quickly drags Castor’s unconscious body to a nearby stable. She sets him in the hay and watches through a small window as people gather at the site talking and asking what happened.

While asleep, Castor has a vision. He sees a bearded man smoking a pipe in the desert. He belches and grabs another bottle, upending it. The next day, blackout drunk, he picks himself up and walks to the city. People wave to him. He walks up to a merchant’s table. “Hey, I need a job.” the man is cross, “listen you've lost three shipments already, get out of here.”

Many months later, he’s even more unkempt and dirty. Sitting on the edge of a cliff, muttering to himself. A flash lights his face. He falls on the ground, distraught but in bliss. He sees a beautiful angelic figure floating before him. It starts speaking and vision ends.

Castor wakes, in a pile of hay, confused. Ivetta says “it happened again.” When Castor asks Ivetta if he killed anyone this time, she says no. She says they should lie low for a time. Castor gets up on wobbly legs and pets a horse which brings him happiness. More people crowd around in front of el Yassin’s house. A man comes asking if anyone saw if it was a person, where they went. People dismiss him as cray and he leaves.

After a few minutes, a stroke of luck, Marco walks by the stables. Castor whisper-shouts his name and he comes into the stable. OP ANOTHER stroke of luck Viridis runs by, who is also whisper-shouted to and they are all reunited. Castor immediately checks Marco’s forehead and finds it cool. Viridis insists they should go. Castor suggests the mosque but she is adamant on staying in the desert for tonight. They sneak through back allies and exchange information on the way.

Viridis tells the group that el Yassin was furious at her for not getting a job at the palace and made her make another deal with him that she’d get a job in the Jewish quarter but then she became a slave or indentured servant and in order to escape she lit something on fire. Now she’s sure people are after her. Castor asks about her sister, “are we just going to leave her?” Viridis insists they’ll come back for her.

As they head through the alleys, Marco gets a strange feeling like something is watching him. He mentions it to Ivetta, she looks but doesn’t see anything. They continue into the desert. To the top of the mountain on which they spawned. There is a cave there, dry and roomy. Marco lights a fire inside making sure the light is hidden. Marco starts off saying “I think we should go around and share what all happened to each of us today, since it seems like we each had quite the adventure.” He goes on to say that he woke up and Viridis came in and stole his jar of medicine, stabbing him in the process. He then hallucinated that someone said that if he didn’t get the medicine back, he’d die. But then he got sent to another plague zone then got kidnapped. But escaped after he saw Castor’s light.

Viridis and Marco fight about the medicine. Viridis insisting that they should trust her, the “medicine just feels off” Marco retorting “you can't just have these ‘weird feelings and not explain.’” Ivetta butts in telling Viridis to give her the medicine and she can tell them if it's poisoned. Examining one of the date things she determines it’s not poisoned. Marco snatches the date and stuffs it vindictively into his mouth, staring down Viridis. Marco tells Virdis to give him the jar. She pulls her knife and Marco does the same. Castor who has been asking they stop fighting, now shouts at them to stop, tears pouring down his face, he begs them to put their knives away, please don’t hurt each other. It comes to a head as they grapple for the jar, knives still out. Viridis holds onto the jar. Then everyone freezes as they hear footsteps approaching the cave. Everyone turns to face the entrance, Ivetta pulling her short sword.

A figure enters the cave with raised, slightly glowing hands, the earth moving, closing the entrance to the cave behind him.

“Which one of you is it?!” He shouts, “Which one of you made that glow in the town?! Tell me!!” He raises his hands again, threatening. Marco steps forward and says, “it was me.” The man yells “prove it.” Marco says “I can't, I can't control it.”

“I don't believe you.” He shakes his head then he says, “I didn't want to come to this.”

He pushes magic at them. All weapons are dropped, Viridis, Ivetta, and Castor are pushed and held to the wall and Marco is getting force choked. “If you are who you say you are then prove it!” Marco can’t speak for being choked. Castor hasn’t stopped crying but the pressure is getting to be too much, he can’t let Marco die! Marco gasps for breath.

Castor’s eyes burn with light as he shouts “NO!” throwing out his hand. The man is pushed back, through the closed cave entrance, his concentration broken, Marco falls to the ground.

Castor once again rises into the air and advances on the man. Marco and Ivetta try to stop Castor, but are both held in place with a wave of his hand. It feels as though their feet are encased in stone. Castor makes a slashing motion with his hand and fire bursts forth at the man who threatened his friends. On the ground he throws up a shield blocking the flames. Then drops to his knees, bowing and yelling “it was a trick, he wasn’t in any danger! I- I had to know! I can help you, teach you!”

Ivetta shouts “Castor don't kill him!” Castor ignores her and throws another fire blast down at the man bowing on the ground. At the last second the flames dissipate and Castor drops to the ground.

Another vision: The same man as before but hundreds of thousands of people walk behind him. Guards stand at the set of city gates but let him through. No one is looting or pillaging. The mass makes their way to the temple. He stands in a large, black square box in the middle of the crowd and bows. He points toward the idols. People start smashing the pagan icons and walking into the black box to pray.

This time Castor doesn’t K.O. but is instead dazed for a moment. As soon as he’s down, Marco moves to help him up. Castor groans and asks if he killed anyone. Marco says “no of course not.” The man on the ground sounds happy, still bowing, he speaks to Castor. “You are Castor is this correct?”

“Um, yes?”

“It is you, you are the Chati! I am your humble servant! Please tell me of your travels, how you came to be here!”

“I'm...what? A chai tea? What is that?”

“Ah, you are very young in your journey, I am one of The Order of the Kaldin. You are a Chati, a whealder of great power. You have a mission. Although we kaldin know no specifics, we may help you on your journey.  It is my honor to serve you.” He bows again.

“You… you tried to kill my friend.”

“I am sorry but I had to know, he was in no real danger, I assure you.” Castor gets up, still a bit wary and a bit wobbly. The man still bows on the ground. “Uh, please, we should be inside, away from others.”

The man asks if he may rise. “Of course, you don't need my permission.” He stands and waits for Castor to go into the cave. Castor gestures that he should go first.

“Of course, it is my honor.” He enters the cave and snaps his fingers, lighting the fire. Castor enters as well and sits. The man waits until he is comfortable before sitting himself. Ivetta and Marco follow. Viridis is standing near the entrance and Castor asks her to sit with them. The man also insists she does as Castor asks and she reluctantly edges closer but doesn't sit.

TBC

Episode Four: Knowledge is Power