The court did not go on for longer after that. No one had anything else to contribute so they left as soon as the signal was given.
Iris started to leave with the Vizier as well but a sharp gaze froze her on her spot. As watched as everyone else left with a confused look aimed her way.
But something inside Iris told her that she should stay here for now.
"Finally! Peace at last. Those people suck all my energy out" the sultan lost her regal composure and allowed her body to relax.
When Iris turned around to look at the other she had to rethink the view. Still, she did not avert her eyes from the other's figure.
The other had decided to lie down on the sofa and it had caused her robs to slip down her shoulder and leave her cleavage bare to prying eyes.
It was pleasing to look and stare at but Iris had experience with such situations. Most of the patients in her memories were naked as well and the novelty wore off after a few looks.
And it was just looking. Iris could appreciate the view without turning it into something more.
"You wanted me to stay behind. Is there anything you need my assistance with?" Iris asked the other who did not even look at her in return.
"Why don't you have a look at me? I was told that you are an excellent healer and I would like to test it out myself" the female asked, waving her hand at the other to come close.
Iris covered the distance without any hesitation and her hands inched toward the other's chest.
But they did not connect with it. The other caught her hand midway through, her expression serious.
"You know that I have a guest from 'The court of Isis' under my protection who is not a healer, right? Can you guess what else they could be to not make me question you and your intentions? To even agree to help you out?" the playful attitude from before was gone.
The sultan looked at Iris, stared her right into her eyes and red clashed with green.
Iris had a solid idea about what the other was implying.
"A seer? How unusual" seers were uncommon but it did explain many inconsistencies in this world after all.
"That is what I believe but the other never came out and said that they were a seer, nor did they give any solid evidence about them being one." the other seemed to pause, her expression changing.
"But the knowledge and events they predicted were to be anything other than a vision. And that is why I knew you were coming. They are excited to meet you as well" really? A seer?
It did explain some things about the original timeline though.
This was why the original Iris had an easy acceptance with the sultan. The seer made it all too convenient.
"I can meet them?" Iris asked. She had a few questions for the seer but she was not sure if the other would allow it to happen or not.
"As I said, they are excited to meet you as well. We should not leave them hanging since they don't have a lot of time left. You are really lucky you arrived today of all days" the other agreed as she straightened her clothes.
And she looked fresh within minutes as well.
Iris followed behind the other, not knowing what she should think about this situation. The other said that she was lucky to arrive here today but what did that mean?
Won't the next meeting yield a similar result for them? It was not like the vision would change even if Iris arrived a week later.
"I will stay here. You go in alone" the sultan have her a small shove into the room and the door closed behind her.
The figure on the bed was ancient as well but she was different from Vizier's silhouette. Where the Vizier looked to be suffering from the illness, this person was genuinely old enough to not be able to move.
"W-Who?" their voice shivered from old age and it made Iris want to help them out.
"My name is Iris and I'm a healer" the other jerked their neck in a way no person this old should be able to.
"O-Oh. P-Please makes your way to my side. I wish to see you once" the elder asked, their eyes going cross and Iris followed their instructions.
"M-My god! You are beautiful and cold. The gods did say you would come but they never said when. H-Hurry, the transfer of mark" the elder started to push herself up but her strength failed her at the last moment.
"Please tell me what you want and I will fetch it for you. You should stay lying down or rather, take a potion to get your strength back" although death was unavoidable, one could prevent aging itself with the help of medicine and magic.
In that way, one could remain young and beautiful even in death. Most of the people in Rivendell chose to do that.
But there were still people out there who never did. They treasured the god's gift of aging too much to let it slip from their fingers.
"N-No. Let me pass like this and go to the maker. I do not want any of that cursed potion and lose my chance at salvation. B-buy you! Hurry. Give me your hand" Iris passed her hand to the old lady and felt magic ran through her.
It was a separate entity to her medical magic, something burning and running in a separate line.
"What a difficult gift you have! I can see why the gods chose you as the guide. Now, please rest and send the other child in. I wish to discuss some things with her before I pass away" Iris wanted to deny the other.
She had too many questions to ask. Especially about that last comment.
Difficult gift? But Iris was a healer. Or did the other mean Micahel? This was all too confusing.
But Iris could not deny the dying soul their last wish. Not to mention, the sudden weight she seemed to feel inside her soul.
"No need. I felt your call so I came in. I will be back once I escort our guest to her room. Please hang on for a few minutes" the sultan took Iris to her room but she was too tired to keep note of where they were going.
Her eyes were getting heavier and sleep was pulling at her now. It was difficult to make off anything that happened today since it had been too fast-paced.
With the sound of rain, Iris finally fell asleep. Her body was too tired to question anything and the new magic inside her was worming its way inside and making a connection between her and the magic of the old.
Had she been in a normal court, every member would have felt this new connection snap-in existence and would have rejoiced. But there was no one to celebrate such a thing now.
And as one connection snapped into place, an older one broke down as well. The court had gained a new member while losing an old one.
It was quiet in the room but the commotion of this change was felt somewhere else as well.
"Holy Maiden Lunade, what happened? Are you alright?" The female raised her hand to her cheek, her face expressionless. She could not explain her feelings but she felt loss and hope at the same time. How odd.
Something seemed to be exerting pressure over her but it felt like a safety net to her. It felt like she was no longer the leader in her court…
…not that it should be possible. There was no one else left beside her in the court after all.
"Yes, I am alright. Please gather the other leaders. It's time for a meeting" she called out, deciding to forget this odd feeling for now. It must be her nerves acting up again.