by Jarod Meyer
The woman stopped smiling, a worried look settling on her face.
“Y-yes of course,” she replied and exited, rushing past Angelica.
To Angelica’s surprise, the mousy, squeaky woman grabbed her by the arm, and pulled her toward the center of the room.
“If you would please stand upon the pedestal and try to hold completely still. I need to take your measurements for the mistress. Then she will begin her work. You will be asked to remain still, and quiet, until she is completed.”
Angelica nodded, her insides winding into a surprising ball of nerves. What a ridiculous façade. She recognized the whole thoroughly practiced charade, meant to belittle and discomfort her. She took a steadying breath, resolving herself to see it through. She’d already come this far, after all.
The mousy girl was rough with her, using a measuring tape to expertly take a series of measurements - some of which left Angelica feeling violated.
“Thank you for your patience. The mistress will be with you shortly,” the girl said when she was done. She walked over to the figure standing in the shadows, handed them the measurements, and then swiftly disappeared.
It was obvious that the figure in the shadows was Nephthys. Angelica wasn’t coy. She looked over at her expectantly, waiting while the woman sucked on a hookah. Such vices were generally looked down upon in Archonia, but even that didn’t dissuade her, or, evidently diminish her reputation.
Finally, after Angelica’s feet started to tingle, Nephthys approached. It looked like she floated, rather than walked, and when the light struck her face, Angelica cringed. She’d seen some truly outlandish things since arriving in Archonia, but this woman was in a league of her own. Heavy makeup was spackled onto her face, highlighting her features in almost clown-like contrast. Her eyebrows were so long they almost looked alien. Nephthys appeared young, like most in Archonia, but Angelica struggled to consider her beautiful. More than odd, but strange. She scolded herself for the uncharacteristic judgment.
Angelica remained didn’t speak as the woman approached. Her voice was very sharp and her tone businesslike.
“Your name?”
“Angelica.”
“How old are you?”
“Thirty one.”
The woman stopped and looked at her, as if something she’d said offended her. Angelica involuntarily furrow her brow in response. Then the questions continued.
“Favorite color?”
“Purple.”
“Oh, I hate purple. Pick another color,” Nephthys replied.
Before Angelica could respond the woman continued, “Look at these measurements,” she shook her head. “It is because you’re still so young. You must be imaging yourself the way you looked before. You should come back in twenty years, or so. Hmmm, too bad I don’t make second appointments.” She promptly started circling, and looking at Angelica from all angles.
The shock and dismay hit Angelica hard. She was no longer nervous, but annoyed. She suddenly remembered stories William told her, about the way people were mistreating him because of the life he lived on Earth.
People here claim to be different, but Angelica realized that these so called pure-souled individuals struggled with just as much selfishness and bigotry as those people they looked down upon.
“Remain still. No, I am not seeing it. I just don’t know,” Nephthys said, talking to herself. Angelica was fed up
“Thank you for your time. I’m leaving now,” she said, stepping off the pedestal.
“Leaving! You won’t leave while I am working.”
“I will leave, ma’am, we are finished here,” Angelica responded assertively.
“What is, ma’am!? No I am finished with you! Get out of my studio, and never return,” Nephthys said harshly.
She didn’t have to ask her twice.
Angelica stormed back through the waiting room, where she saw her grandmother’s empanadas laid out on the refreshment table. A page was eating one. Of course she would reuse a gift for appearances sake. She thought it tacky that they didn’t have the decency to at least wait until she left to repurpose her gift.
At least Abuela’s food will be enjoyed by others, she thought to herself.
Angelica huffed out onto the street, deciding that she would look for a small clothier. Perhaps one that was not nearly as renowned and commission a simpler garment. More than likely that is all she could get on such short notice now anyway. She was passing through the Greek district that she came across a small shop. The only indication that it was a clothing store was from a small, wooden sign hanging above the door, picturing a thread and needle.
She didn’t think twice. Angelica pushed through the door, a bell chiming above her heard. A woman stood behind a counter, a wide smile splaying across her face.
“Welcome to my home. My name is Adonia,” she said.
“Hello, I’m Angelica. This is your home?” Angelica asked in surprise.
“Of course. Can I offer you something to eat or drink?”
“No. But thank you for offering.”
She nodded politely. “Is there some special occasion I can help you prepare for?”
“Well…actually yes. I am going to the Guardian’s induction ceremony tonight.”
“Say no more, say no more,” she said, coming around and taking Angelica by the hand.
Adonia led her over to a set of three mirrors. Two were at a forty five degree angle to the center, so you could see every angle of yourself at once. There was no platform or special lighting.
Adonia waved her hand, casting a bright light that floated above their heads. Angelica watched the pulsing light in wonder, but startled when an unexpected weight fell over her body. With another flash the clothier projected a rippling length of white cotton. It fell against her skin, the knit tightly woven but undeniably soft.
“So tell me, will you be going to the ceremony alone? Or, are you going to see someone?” Adonia asked.
“I am going with my grandmother. And I am going to see the young Guardian, William.”
“The tainted one? Oh my goodness! Wait, are you the one he helped save? Yes, I see it now!”
Adonia’s reaction made Angelica a little uncomfortable. It was a peculiar notion that her name would be known to strangers, especially with over one hundred billion souls living in Archonia. Was her and William’s story that unique? Had word spread that quickly?
“Please don’t call him that,” Angelica said, quietly but assertively.
“My apologies, my dear. One can get caught up in the gossip a bit too easily. I have only the utmost respect for those safeguarding our world. Please forgive me.”
“Of course,” Angelica said, relieved by Adonia’s honest remorse
“My dear, do you like gold, silver, or platinum?”
“Actually, I really like obsidian,” Angelica replied.
“Ah…the lava rock. Polished down, correct? Yes, we will make it look very nice.”
After working for just a short time, Adonia stepped back and had Angelica turn before the mirrors. She couldn’t believe her eyes. The white cotton draped on two shoulders, hanging down past her feet, where it bunched up slightly on the ground. Obsidian adorned the fabric, but also hung around her neck as a necklace, cut into the shape of tiny suns, linked together with black gold. A matching bracelet and earrings materialized in place with a wave of Adonia’s hand. Next, she jerked and wove her hands in the air, Angelica’s hair twisting into a bun, held in place with a long curved piece of obsidian.
Adonia took a step back.
“Do you like?” she asked.
“Yes…more than anything!” Angelica shouted and started giggling, grabbing the woman in a hug. Adonia hugged her back, and then took her by the cheeks.
“You come back anytime you need to look beautiful for this William,” she said, smiling wide.
Angelica blushed. “I definitely won’t be going back to Nephthys,” Angelica replied sarcastically.
“Oh, th
at woman,” Adonia said, with a barely stifled laugh. “Do you know why she is so popular?”
Angelica shook her head.
“She can look into the mind, and use a person’s hopes, dreams, and desires to craft the perfect garment.”
Angelica snorted, warmth blossoming on her neck and cheeks. She disliked how the woman acted, and her presumptions about almost everything else. But she disliked the idea of someone digging around in her head even more…even if it was to tailor the perfect dress. She suddenly felt vindicated by her decision to walk out on Nephythys.
“Thank you for your honesty, Adonia. I needed it more than you know. I’m only sorry that I didn’t bring a gift for you. I took…” Angelica said, but the Greek woman clasped a hand over her arm, and cut in warmly.
“Not to worry, my dear. You smile is thanks enough!”
Angelica jumped, grabbing her in another furious hug.
“Thank you so much. I really must go, but please come have dinner with me and my family sometime.”
“Ok, young one, that sounds very nice. Please come see Adonia anytime. Just don’t tell too many people or I will become snobby like Egyptian woman,” she said with a chuckle.
With that Angelica rushed out. Though her trip to Adonia’s shop was fast, she had wasted almost six hours at Nephthys’ boutique. And she still had to get home, before making her way across the city to the ceremony. Angelica was terrified that she was going to be late.
Thankfully, her new, beautiful garb was loose and fluid, making it possible to move quickly. She ran nearly the whole way home. When she arrived back in her family’s courtyard her grandmother was waiting on the same bench that she had before.
“Oh, Abuela, I am so sorry. I had a very difficult time.”
“Not to worry, my dear. I could sense your feelings. Tell me, did Nephthys make your dreams come true?”
“No, grandmother, she was an awful, old woman. I’m so sorry they took your empanadas,” she said, scowling.
They were interrupted by the soft jingle of little bells and the clattering of hooves. A carriage made from gold and crystal suddenly rolled into the courtyard. It was drawn by creatures that looked much like pure white, hairless horses. Massive, curving golden horns sprouted from their head, gleaming in the sunlight. She could see no driver, and the seat only looked large enough for two people.
“I figured we could treat ourselves, and travel a little more luxuriously this evening,” Angelina said, rising from her seat.
She approached the front of the cart as it turned and leaned in towards one of the creatures, gently stroking its head. She whispered into the creature’s ear, and it whinnied in response. Angelica could have sworn she saw it nod as well.
“Come, child, we really must be going.”
Without a second thought they boarded the magnificent carriage and it lurched forward. Soon they were making their way through the throngs of people in the streets, moving at a surprisingly fast pace. People got out of the way quickly, too.
Angelica found the seat of the cart quite comfortable, the cushioned seat molding to her backside. The car didn’t rock or jostle, which she found surprising, considering the wooden wheels rolling across stone roads.
After a half hour they reached the outskirts of the Latin district, and started seeing other carriages and carts merging onto the main road. Some were small rickshaw carts pulled by men, just like the ones she saw while on a mission trip to China. Others were larger and held large groups of people. They puffed along, powered by some sort of engine. Angelica even spotted a group of people floating by on a large carpet. Angelica giggled in excitement as it went by, pointing it out to her grandmother.
“Is there anything that isn’t possible in this world, grandma?” she asked.
“There are only a few things, child,” she replied, but Angelica was looking around in wonderment, and didn’t hear her.
It took another hour before they came to the Norse quarter, wherein lay the stronghold of Valhalla. Angelica had seen it before from afar, but it was breathtaking to behold up close. Most of the buildings in this world were large, but this one made her feel very small.
The carriage circled around a large turnaround in front of the main gates. They patiently waited until it was their turn, before getting down from the cart. Angelina produced two apples from a bag around her shoulder, and held them up to their drivers, who quickly snatched them up. She hugged both of them, whispering something into each of their ears. They were still chewing on their treats as they plodded off.
Angelica looked down, realizing she was standing on a long, plush purple carpet Men at arms stood at attention on either side of the carpet, clad head to toe in matching silver armor. They wore the blue capes of the Sentinel.
“Grandma, have you ever been here before?”
“No, child. They don’t have a Guardian induction ceremony very often. Most of the applicants don’t pass the training. According to Julia, this is the biggest class they have had in many years.”
“Where is Julia?”
“She came ahead of time. Her husband Edmund returned from his crusade for the ceremony and she wanted to see him right away.”
Angelica trudged up the stairs after passing through the main gate, her breathing becoming labored. She struggled, even with her newfound endurance from climbing the hill to the university. She counted perhaps two hundred steps already, and on each stood a Sentinel, standing as quietly as stone statues.
The massive front doors stood open, ushering them into the entrance hall. Thousands of people were already gathered, talking and milling about. Their voices combined into a roar that echoed throughout the chamber.
“There is Julia,” her grandmother said, pointing. She and Edmund were talking to some people near a column larger around than a redwood tree. “Right where she said she would be.”
Edmund saw them first, and gestured them over “Lady Angelica, Lady Angelina. Welcome to Valhalla. I am so glad that you could attend the ceremony this evening,” the large Guardian said.
“I am glad I could come,” Angelica replied.
Julia stared at Angelica, despite an elbow from her husband.
“Angie, Nephthys did amazing!” she exclaimed finally, her eyes wide.
“Actually a Greek clothier named Adonia made it for me. Nephthys and I had…differing opinions,” Angelica said, delicately, after all, Julia had referred her to the woman.
“Cousin! Did you miss your appointment?” Julia asked.
“No, I didn’t miss anything. Nephthys was a self-centered, egotistical old witch,” Angelica snapped.
She even surprised herself, and slapped a hand to her mouth. Everyone else just watched her cautiously.
“I’m sorry. I meant she wasn’t very nice,” she finished.
“Well, I think this dress suits you much better than anything that old hag has ever made,” someone said from behind them.
They turned to find a short but regal figure. His curly, black hair fell over his purple cape.
“Grand Justicar,” Edmund exclaimed, bowing his head and crossing a closed fist over his chest.
“Edmund, it’s always a pleasure to see you. How faired your crusade?” the Adjudicator asked.
Angelica realized who he was. She saw him at the trial. He was the one who spoke out against William. She’d formed an immediate dislike for him after that. He stood now, pompous, with his chest puffed out, his armor considerable lighter than the other men. An entourage of purple-caped Adjudicators stood behind him.
“It was not without success. I managed to save two souls from annihilation, and another from infestation. Nothing for the history books, but a necessary deed nonetheless,” Edmund replied.
“Good on you, my young friend. I wish they would let me return from time to time, and root out some of the evil plaguing the mortal plane. Unfortunately, this office requires much of my time,” Meredox said.
Then he turned to Angelica and her grandmother.
“My ladies, I am afraid that I haven’t had the pleasure. My name is Meredox, son of Vaxus, Adjudicator of Archonia, and Grand Justicar of Helios,” he said taking Angelica’s grandmother’s hand in his own and lightly pecking it with his lips. Angelica saw her grandma blush slightly, which only made her angrier.
“We have met before. At a trial held before the great Synod, many months ago. You spoke against my friend William,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest as he reached out to her.
Meredox’s right eye twitched and he stood up a little straighter.
“The tainted one? Ah…yes. I do recognize you now. You look a right, proper Archonian now,” he offered with a formal kindness.
“Don’t you think you should stop calling him the tainted one now that he is to become a protector of the realm?” Angelica asked.
The whole group shrunk away from her, except Julia, who tried to grab her arm. The Grand Justicar looked her up and down appraisingly, a wry grin pulling up one side of his mouth.
“You’re bold, my dear. I fear that you still have much to learn of our ways. Your William will have his chance at redemption, but until he proves his worth to me he will remain a tainted soul. As the Grand Justicar it is my job to see that justice is done. As he has done no wrong within these borders I am obliged to let him don his armor and gallivant around, calling himself a Guardian. For this you should be happy. Were it my way, I would see him exiled from this land…or worse.”
Angelica’s anger turned to fury, but there was little it could do for her. She bit her lip and remained quiet. She didn’t want to be the cause of further confrontation, or worse, problems for William. She already regretted saying anything to him to begin with.
“Edmund, it was a pleasure as always,” Meredox said, nodding and sweeping his cape out of the way as he took his leave.
Angelica’s eyes lingered on the Grand Justicar for a few moments, before turning back to her grandmother and cousin. She could see her own embarrassment and rage in their expressions. She wasn’t about to let this ruin her evening, so without a word she walked away from everyone. She didn’t know where she was going, only that she didn’t want to be near them anymore. She pushed through the crowd, not paying attention to where she was going.