BETA READ
Date: 14th October 3852 A.C.E.
Myst saw Nessa waiting out front of an inn in the north-western part of the city. She was leaning against a barrel tapping her foot to a tune only she could hear. The sun had just started to creep over the rooftops and caught her cherry blossom eyes in a way that made them stand out even from afar.
“What song are you thinking of?” asked Myst, walking up to her.
Nessa glanced over to him and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear with a shy smile. “It’s a new song. It came to me the other day.”
“Will you play it at the alehouse once it’s finished?”
“I’m not sure. It might be one I keep to myself. Time will tell.” Nessa gestured towards to inn door. “Shall we head in and get this over with? The sooner we can get out of this part of town the better. I’d rather not have a run-in with the City Guard that’s hovering around these parts.”
“Let’s!”
Nessa pointed to the far back corner. To a woman in her forties sitting alone in a booth. As they got closer, Myst saw the ragged eye patch she was wearing that covered her left eye. It matched the cream-coloured clothes she was wearing, which looked even worse for wear than Myst’s clothes.
Nessa asked the woman, “Excuse me, ma’am. Could we talk to you?”
The woman looked up, having just taken a mouthful of porridge, she gestured to the seats opposite her.
“How can I help you?” she asked with an expressionless voice.
“Sorry to bother you during your breakfast,” said Myst. “We were sent by the Teleporter’s Guild. They would like you to leave Dartrin right away.”
“I see,” said the woman, “and what would happen if I don’t?”
“We would have to persuade you,” said Nessa. Her eyes glowed as she leaned over the table. “By any means.”
“Which we don’t want to do,” said Myst.
Nessa leaned back.
The woman hadn’t flinched in the slightest at Nessa’s threat.
“Rest assured I didn’t stop by Dartrin to take any business away from the Guild. There is no need for little threats. If I overstayed my welcome, I’ll leave once I finish my meal. I was simply visiting an old friend who had some news for me and a couple of other small tasks.”
“Thank you for understanding,” said Myst. “I’m sorry that we had to cut your visit short.”
“I just finished off the last thing I wanted to do this morning. Now that we’re through with the business side of things. Would you mind entertaining me with a conversation while I finish my meal?”
Still tense, Nessa said, “We’d best get going. Make sure you—”
“It would be the least you could do for me after such a request.”
“Of course,” said Myst, looking at Nessa and trying to get her to calm down. “Who were you visiting while in the city?”
“A long-time friend of mine. A Seer that I’ve known since he was a little boy. He told me a rumour of a young man with emerald eyes that had been seen in the city. I see that the rumours are true now that I see it for myself…”
Myst stole a worried glance at Nessa.
The woman’s gaze was distant. “Why do you walk around so freely? Especially in a place like Dartrin where the majority are out to seek power for themselves?”
“I had no choice. I’m trying to find Shadow.”
“I’ve also heard rumours of this person.”
“Do you know anything about him?”
“I’m as puzzled as everyone else. From what I’ve heard, he is an impossibility. Then again, many people believe you are too.”
“What are you implying?” snapped Nessa, breaking her silent glare at the woman.
“Nothing. Nothing at all,” replied the woman with no change in her tone. She took another spoonful of her porridge. “It’s strange the way the world works sometimes. There has been nothing that far out of the ordinary since the time of the creation event—”
“You mean the birth of the Flaresai and the new gods?” asked Nessa.
“Yes. Since the war for power ended and these new gods disappeared, there hasn’t been too big of a shift in how the world works. One can only imagine what would happen if the Trinity, or the Enlightened, got their hands on the power of creation. What terrors they could unleash on the world.”
Myst sat in silence. The prophecy that Irden had given him rang through his mind.
“You mentioned the Trinity,” said Nessa. “Is that also why you came to Dartrin? Did you have intentions to harm the Trinity?”
“I have no intention whatsoever to so much as see the Trinity. As I said, I will be on my way after this meal.” She took another spoonful.
“What do you think would happen if they took control of the power of creation?” asked Myst.
“It is hard to say. But if the first time around is anything to go by, then there will be a lot more magical items floating around the world at the very least.”
“Magical items?” said Myst.
“Like the amulets that the Trinity wear around their necks. That have pieces of acorn in them?” asked Nessa.
“Yes,” said the woman. “Those pieces of acorn are from the original grove that gave the Shifter power. Only to be effective, they had to be blessed by the touch of the Shifter with the power of creation. Only then would it help to enhance a Shifter’s power.”
“How do you know all this?” asked Myst.
“I would like to know too,” said Nessa. “That isn’t exactly common knowledge since there are no records from that age of time.”
“I have lived a long life,” said the woman. “I have seen a lot in my travels over that time. Met plenty of people along the way.”
“That doesn’t explain how you would know,” said Nessa.
“I think we’ve run out of time. If you take a look, a member of the Teleporter’s Guild has just walked in to check how you’re doing.”
Myst and Nessa looked over at the entrance. One of the guards from the Guild was standing near the entrance of the inn.
“Myst,” the woman said, “if I may offer some advice. Be careful with whom you spend time around. Not everyone can be trusted. Nor should you be wandering around without knowing who is watching you.”
“Thank you for your advice,” said Myst.
“Okay,” said Nessa standing up. “Time to go. I’m going to let him know that we’re escorting you out of the city now.”
Nessa marched over to the Teleporter.
“Have you finished your meal?” asked Myst.
“I am,” she replied. “One last thing before we go.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“I’m sorry about what happened to your parents. They were good people.”
Myst’s eyes widened. “H-How did you know about my parents? Who are you?”
The woman flashed him a gentle smile. The first time she had broken her stern expression the entire conversation. “I’m sure we’ll meet again soon.” Her eye flashed and the bright light took the place of her body.
Myst closed his eyes to shield them from the light. When he opened them, the woman was gone. He headed over to Nessa and the Teleporter she was talking to. “There’s no need for us to escort her out of the city. She’s already gone.”
“Dammit!” said Nessa. She locked eyes with the Teleporter. “This is why I hate dealing with Teleporters. They always pop in and out as they please. Tell Zamir that it’s done, and our payment is settled.”
