#ur first insight on azzura

[azzura-knight]

A Magicians Judge

My first writing for Azzura. I’m going to start posting stuff about her soon but hoo its late and I have class tomorrow,,,

Anyways!! This is supposed to take place a few days after the soul riders all met up at the camp site. I’m treating it like they have a few days before things start working and smoothing out

Slight spoilers warning for those not caught up on the new story quests!!

A magicians judge

Azzura stood in her clydesdale’s stall brushing away at his fur absent mindedly, not truly paying attention as she thought. The soul rider thought of Wednesday, of the campfire that she sat around with the others waiting to hear back from every grey and delve into Pandoria to save Anne. It wouldn’t be much longer now, would it? Things would work out… right?

The young girl huffed before leaning her head against the speckled bay’s side, earning a snort from the sleepy gelding at the sudden stop in attention. Azzura lifted her forehead and looked back at the large head and big eyes, suddenly getting an idea. 

Rushing around the young girl grabbed a saddle and bridle to throw on Copper Eye, forgetting her own riding helmet in her haste to hop on him and venture outside. The wind picked up as soon as she exited the barn though, bringing the smell of a cooler breeze, as well as circus food and magic. A definite sign and call from the man she was going to see.

Taking a deep breathe to steel herself, Azzura nudged Copper forward with her heal all the while staring down the purple tent that was just visible over the hills past Steve’s Farm and silver glade village, just past the fenced area where there always seemed to be a lightness to the air. A circular area that always made her hair stand on ends and her pointed ears tingle. 

A chill swept through the rider, making her fingers suddenly cold as she picked up the pace trotting down the road. Taking her time and never drifting her gaze from the purple tent that belonged to Ydris, Azzura opted to veer in the back way at the last second and avoid being seen by the pandoric man that wanders near the front of the hill. The same Hill Justin Moorland had fell on not a few weeks ago after slamming into a blockage.

Copper seemed to grow antsy as well as he Felt Azzura’s legs tighten more the closer they got, picking up speed slightly and lifting his head as if he were pulling a cart in a fair. Azzura let the Clyde go faster, happy for any excuse to get this over with. 

There seemed to be a line that kept Ydris contained in the area, for as soon as she passed between the old stone fences that were beginning to fall and crumble, lightening seemed to dance along her skin. Her hair lifted as it did in Pandoria to float around her shoulders and her ears buzzed as if a storm were coming. She felt him as well, the deep pool of questions and mild insanity that was Ydris. Everything about him a dark purple almost like the void. 

Azzura stared at the location she knew he was at as soon as she picked up on it, even with the tent in the way she was dead on. Slowing Copper to a walk as they passed out from behind and moved straight for the fortune tent. Though the tall man had his back turned she could almost hear his smirk. A hand lifted causing the wind to pick up once again and lift the flap in the fortune tent, though he did not turn. Azzura took a deep breath before sliding from the tall horses back. Her feet hitting the ground hard as she seemed to forget the height and her legs suddenly aching at the hit, helping her to steal herself once again. The bay turned his head a little, nudging his rider as she walked past him. Azzura touched his nose softly and smiled weakly before passing through the door. 

As soon as she did the wind followed her in, Ydris in his chair with his arms crossed and eyes glinting like he had thought of a cruel joke just moments before. The light blue eye of his seeming to glow in the dimly lit area as Azzura stared him down. Suddenly, panic began to settle into Azzuras bones as she realized what a mistake she was making. Admitting her weakness to a man that had tried to bring forth Garnok not weeks before, a man that showed no mercy towards the young woman that shared half a world with him. As soon as Ydris spoke however, the cowardice fled, and only determination filled her mind.

“Ah, little flea. I see fate has tempted you back today, has it not?” The magician’s smile curled ever more, his eyes never drifting and never loosing light of his malice as he spoke. “Now I know you are here for insight on your oh so quickly approaching future, my crystal ball practically hummed when you entered my circus! I will give you the option though, shall a horse fortune ease your mind today, or are we to look towards something a little… closer to home for us.” 

At the last words, Azzura suddenly steeled herself. Her eyes narrowing at the cocky man before her who’s fingers curled around the crystals holding his ball, a man that had been tormenting her as soon as she had begun to show any sign of Pandoric lineage. Who poked at her ears and treated her as a child. Young as she may be he wasn’t much older… right? Sure time was different for him but not aging.

“Tell me of my future Ydris, let’s not dance around this anymore then we need to” Azzura straightened her back a little bit, crossing her arms as she met the heterochromatic stare before her with equal fire. The malice faded to satisfaction on Ydris’ face as he gave a slight nod, leaning away from the soul rider and waving a hand as if thinking.

“Of course of course! I would have asked for no other way.” With that the man began to work, running a hand along the surface of the crystal ball as if to wake It up, the room brightening with its pink glow as the clouds inside swirled and lifted to show something to the man looking within. A hum and another over the top flourish later, Ydris looked back up to Azzura, a hand resting on the ball before him.

“Now wouldd be a good time to explore your ancient side. You try to hide this aspect of yourself from others, especially a certain relation. You know whom I mean.” Ydris voice came forth, seemingly underlaid by another, higher pitched voice beneath it that read along with his. His gaze never wavered from Azzura as she stared back at him, eyes continuing to narrow as he spoke. 

“There is no point in fighting, everyone has an a client side - at least the most interesting people do! Your denial makes you look like a many-coloured bull, which is to say, a fool. Embrace that which makes you ancient! It will bring you bring you the time to give to yourself, and it is that very quality that makes you so dangerous in the relations eyes.” 

When Ydris was done he lifted his hand and shook his head slightly as if ridding of a cloud around him. A half smile still played on his face, though everything seemed softer about him after the speech, despite the sour look on the one across from him, all wrinkled nose and furious eyes. Before Azzura could even attempt to open her mouth however, the magician pushed back in his chair and closed his eyes as if in woah.

“Alas- my crystal ball has fallen silent and cold once more! You drain her so my flea, and I must let her rest until tomorrows light.” The magician leaned on the table after speaking, resting a his head in a hand as he did and giving a clear indication that Azzura was to leave quite soon. The young girl just stared in anger for a moment longer before huffing.

“What do I owe you-“ Azzura began to pull out her wallet in reflex, grabbing a few coins in her fingers before stopping as a soft laugh slipped from Ydris.

“Nothing yet. For now your confusion and struggles with current mortality is all I need. Go visit the Moon, tell her to check her tea as you pass by for me.” The twisted curl set itself back on Ydris’ face, the kind of smirk that send another shiver down Azzura’s spine and quickly turning to leave as she stuffed her wallet back in a pocket. 

As soon as she turned her back she felt a small gust of wind coming into the tent and the flap lifting outside, a cold feeling of fingers on her shoulder as she walked out. Once out, Azzura shielded her eyes from the sudden brightness of the sun, Copper coming over quickly to her side with a mouthful of grass and a carrot that he had stolen from the odd little Zony near the rest of Ydris’ animals. 

Azzura gave the gelding a pat on the shoulder before heaving herself up into the saddle. As she turned towards the path to the tent, she saw that Ydris was back In his spot as if he had never left. Staring dumbfound for a moment, Azzura huffed before nudging Copper into a brisk trot past the magician, being sure to go fast enough he could not see the effects his magic had on her hair. 

As she past Ydris she felt his eyes on her back the whole time, Not daring to turn around or slow down until she passed that invisible line yet again and nodding a goodbye to Zee. Once she had past it, Azzura stopped Copper and spun him so she could look at the ridiculously tall man on the hill, a frown set on her face.

Ydris had not looked away or wiped the knowing look from his face the entire time she had past him. The two stared for a moment longer before the magician tipped his hat and turned away. Azzura immediately nodded in response before turning back and walking back towards camp to meet Linda, Lisa, and Alex. 

“I don’t know if it’s the sign we wanted boy, but I guess its the only sign he can give…” Copper only snorted in response, tossing his head and yanking on the reins as Azzura kicked the gelding up and let him stretch his legs as they took off towards Guardians Dale, feeling a little more grounded.