Alexandra leaned back in her chair, relaxing after a long card reading with the patron who just left the dimly lit tent. Reaching into a cabinet next to her chair and pulled out a small embroidered cotton pillow that wafted the gentle scents of vanilla, cinnamon and cloves. She placed the teapot of hot water on top of the pillow to fill the room with the warm, comforting scents to help her relax.
The heavy upholstery curtain of the tent was pushed aside as a man of average height but broad shoulders that almost strained the sleeve seams of his overcoat. A broad brimmed top hat shadowed his face, making it almost impossible to distinguish any of his features. “Good evening, Madame,” he said as he bowed slightly but without removing his hat.
Alexandra nodded at him from her winged arm chair, eyebrows raised as she looked over the unexpected guest. “What can I help you with, Sir?"
“I hear that this is the best place to learn your future, but also to have a wonderful cup of tea.” The gentleman removed his overcoat, hung it on a brightly painted coat rack and sat in the seat across the small table from the fortune teller
Alexandra looked only slightly surprised, but didn’t move from her seat. “I’m afraid the rest of the appointments for tonight have already been booked, but you are welcome to come to back tomorrow night.”
“No,” The man insisted, “it cannot wait. You must read my fortune.”
The fortune teller thought about it for a minute, her left hand just touching the dagger concealed in one of her black leather boots. “Very well,” Alexandra said as she brought out a clean teacup and saucer from a small cabinet next to her chair. “What is your favorite kind of tea?”
“Earl Gray, although I’ll settle for Irish Breakfast.”
“Don’t worry. I always have Earl Gray. It’s one of my more popular teas.” Alexandra put two small spoonfuls into the cup and poured the hot water over top before handing it to the stranger seated across from her. “Swirl it three times counter clockwise with your left hand, think of your question and then drink.”
The gentleman did as she told him and took a deep breath of the steam before sipping the liquid. After only a few minutes, just the dregs remained.
Alexandra reached across the table, took the teacup in her left hand and deftly tipped it, draining the remaining liquid into the saucer. She turned the handle of the cup towards her; half closed her eyes and began to look at the patterns of the leaves.
“I see a powerful force influencing your life: bringing great wealth and fame but it does not always have the best intentions. I can see you are concerned about this force and you worry about his intentions. Especially his intentions towards your friends and family.” Alexandra looked up at the gentleman sitting silently across from her. “I can understand your haste to have your future read. This fortune is not looking happy.”
Shifting in his seat, the stranger seemed to be trying to decide what to say. “That’s why I came here.” He removed his hat, revealing gray hair with only a tint of the dark blond that it had been in his youth. He had a well groomed moustache and a few pale, faded scars trailed across his face and neck. “My name is Christophe; I’m an old friend of Colette’s.”
Alexandra’s eyebrows rose at the mention of her friend and ringmaster. “Are you worried about this powerful force going after Colette? Is that why you’re here?”
“Yes, its Jacque; the ringmaster of the Hirondelle. He’s planning something. I just don’t know what.”
“And you want me to warn Colette?”
“Yes,” He said, not breaking eye contact with Alexandra. “You must warn her. I know you don’t know who I am, but Colette does. She trusts me and she needs to be warned before something terrible happens.”
The fortune teller held his gaze for another few moments until she nodded in agreement, “I’ll tell her.”
Christophe rose from the chair and held out his hand to Alexandra. She also stood and clasped his hand in a firm handshake, feeling the heavy calluses and scars that decorated his fingers. The gentleman turned and put his hat and overcoat on before walking out of the tent and into the crowds waiting for the main show to start.
After he left, Alexandra walked to the coat rack, took a dark blue knitted shawl off of it and wrapped it around her shoulders before walking out of her tent to find Colette and pass on Christophe’s message.
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