Chapter Text
"We need that amulet. Do you understand?" The mask did nothing to hinder her master's voice. It was as grating and annoying as Rosa remembered during her first encounter with it. Masking her irritation, she raised her head.
"Yes."
"Hmph." The man nodded and she rose from her kneeling position. In a blink of the eye, her human form was gone. Standing where it was was a golden eagle. With a few powerful flaps, she rose in the air and disappeared into the night.
~~~
The market was crowded and it wasn't even midday yet. Rosa had a bit of time before she was scheduled to present herself before the court as an entertainer. It would be for the best if she could be granted legal access to the palace grounds. Sneaking around in animal form could only bring her so far. Not only that, but as a human she could interact and ask questions. Even if she didn't meet the requirements to perform for royalty or nobility, entry was what mattered most. Confident at least in that much of her skill, Rosa hunted for something to eat to settle her nerves. She never ate while in a different form. It felt too... animalistic for her taste.
As the clock struck the 15th hour of the day, Rosa expertly wove her way through the crowd to the palace entrance where other entertainers were preparing to enter in hopes of serving the victory banquet that night. Their king, Pharaoh Khayu, had returned after a successful campaign against their neighbors in the east. Supposedly, he'd taken their enemies' prized possession: an amulet that could grant immortality if one managed to answer its riddle. While its magic was questionable, its value to the kings and queens of the eastern empire as a symbolic power was undoubted. Considering their long, eight year war to be over, the kingdom was in celebration. If she was going to steal the amulet, it would have to be now. Before it was hidden away in one of the many vaults around the kingdom to await burial with the pharaoh. The barrier spells that tombs were often protected by required skills Rosa didn't have to break, nor did her master have access to any slaves that did. Thus, if she lost it now, she would be punished severely.
As the gates opened, the guards examined each entertainer before waving them through. Rosa was stopped and given a look of indifference. With a sigh, she fished through her cloak and held up her invitation card. It was stolen, of course, but it was genuine. When that didn't impress, she brought out her flute from her pocket.
"I'm a musician." Her explanation was lame. And also ineffective. Huffing, she lifted the edge of her coat. "I am dressed for the occasion." Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, she waited as the guard's gaze greedily looked over her. Anger reddened her face and neck. The white outfit was commonly worn by dancers, the original owner of the invitation. She didn't have anything else to wear and Rosa hadn't wanted to steal from too many people. She left some of her own money behind, but knew it wasn't much compensation. Not nearly as much as what could be made performing at the palace. But it would ensure the woman wouldn't starve. And perhaps she could get another one at another time. Rosa would do her best to make it happen. As revealing as it was, she hadn't wanted to remove her outer cloak before she had to as the other entertainers had done. Disgusting pig. Finally waved by, she made a mental note to shit on the guard's shoes in dog form later that night. Horse form, if she could manage it.
After her initial performance in front of the banquet organizers, she was deemed an acceptable opening act. To perform as guests entered and settled. It was good enough. It meant she could stay until the start, although after her set she would have to serve guests as a waitress. While entertainers were paid for their acts, they would have to work to receive food and a room even if it was a room in the servant's quarters. Rosa let out a sigh as she walked the grounds, careful to stay out of the way of servants and slaves who ran about. She knew who would get in trouble if she bumped into them, and despite her lowly status it wouldn't be her.
The celebration was expected to last for several weeks, but her contract as indicated by her invitation meant she would only be performing for three nights. Taking into account her servitude expectations, Rosa had less than two days to track down the amulet. With no time to lose, as soon as she had a moment of privacy, she shifted into bird form. With her unique powers, her clothes would go with her, but it would influence colorations on her animal form. With that in mind, she took on the form of a black bird. The white streaks across her chest and down her feathers weren't too out of place. Luckily for her, messenger birds of all types were flying in and out of the palace. If need be, she could blend in with them. Taking to the skies, she started her exploration process.
From what she knew, most of the spoils of war were kept in a public space. It was the pharaoh's way of showing his subjects that he wouldn't be tucking riches away for himself. It made it easier to guard as well. But anything of real, magical value would be hidden immediately upon entering the capital city. If it were Rosa, she'd keep it somewhere close to the public hoard. All of those little magical amulets and enchanted items would do well to disguise everything else. At a glance, a mage seer would only see the blinked of magic in them, but it would cluster and blind the seer to anything brighter underneath it. Like spots in their sight.
But, Rosa also knew that many believed the amulet's magical powers to be a mere myth. The only reason her master didn't was because someone unknown to her had told him that there was a secret to unlocking the first part of the riddle. A sacrifice or something dramatic like that. Really, she just suspected it was a neat bit of spellwork that was beyond her. Well, unlocking it wasn't her job. Her orders were to simply bring it back to her master. With such an item, where would they hide it?
On her third loop around the palace grounds, a familiar figure caught Rosa's eye. It couldn't be... Slowing down, she drifted lower and studied him curiously. It was. Leaning against a pillar, dressed in black and gold and an odd look on his face, sat her old childhood friend.
Luke! Instantly, his gaze snapped to hers. Coral eyes widened and his voice spoke in her mind.
Rosa?!
Startled, Rosa fell.