Blind stepped out from the doors of the meeting hall and instantly the town became very aware of her presence. After the initial clamor an uneasy hush fell over the city. The merchants and traders whispered in hushed tones as to the nature and meaning of Blind’s presence. Despite themselves even the craftsmen stopped their work to watch the events surrounding the seer unfold. Blind stepped out in front of the others her dark curls bouncing with each step. With all eyes on her Blind self consciously felt the need to itch the bandage that covered the wound on the left side of her face. With her one good eye she looked at the face of each of the townsperson in turn, slowly making her way through them. The crowd parted to let her pass as if a bubble of awe separated them from her, the ambassadors found it difficult to follow as the crowd was eager to close regardless of their presence.

Blind stopped in the city square near the entrance to the merchant’s corridor. She stepped forward slightly gesturing at a knight standing amongst the smiths. His armor was in pieces and being fitted by the apprentices, blotches of blue steel over black chain mail gave the appearance that sections of his skin had been melted off his body. The deverenian ambassador stepped forward looking for confirmation from Blind, a simple nod was all he received.

“Captain Jaldais Rellion!” The ambassadors bellow rang over the crowd, the knight snapped to attention at the sound of his name, a motion from the senior deverenian brought him out of the shop and into the clearing of people.

“What can I do for thee Ambassador?” Jaldais’ short dark hair was pulled back and sleek, beads of sweat glistened on his forehead from the heat of the heavy armor. An ornamental scabbard clasped a blade at the knight’s side; is swayed as if eager for use.

“You will accompany this maiden as one of the Destined of Nine. You will aid and protect in her in any manner seen fit to accomplish the mission that has been set forth.” The man’s tone was clear and unwavering, any doubt he had hid behind his teeth. The Knight opened his mouth to protest but a stern look from the senior man kept his tongue from moving.

Blind turned from the deverenian to look at the crowd once more. She moved slowly again still looking into the eyes of each person she passed. She stopped in front of the stockades that held the nothrog. The females calculating eyes sized up each other as Blind motioned to the captive. Gasps came from the assembled audience at the thought that a murderous and treacherous race as the nothrog could be involved in the Destiny. Several dwarfs stepped forward with keys and began to unlock the mechanism that kept the stockade securely around the nothrog’s neck and wrists.

“My lady this creature is a murdering savage and a crafty one at that. Even with others to guard you I would be concerned for your safety.” Though considerate the ambassador’s words did little hide his malice to nothrog. Long had he been asking for the execution of the captives though the dwarves protested it.

“She is little different then you or I. Her destiny lies with us.” Blind’s words did little to soothe the assembled masses.

“If only her presence is needed then may I suggest that she be remanded to the custody of Sir Jaldais, he will look after the captive without releasing her fully. Her safety would be assured and she would still travel with thee.” Out maneuvered Blind bit at her lip and nodded once. The nothrog was chained at her wrists and leashed to a pole while the deverenian knight returned to have his armor finished.

Blind smiled slyly to the nothrog as she moved back towards the crowd. She had barely moved before she stopped again her eye caught on a foreigner that was slowly moving towards the city gates. She pointed at him and the crowd parted, the man stopped short peering over his shoulder at the source of the commotion. He turned slightly slipping his bow over his shoulder and resting a hand on a knife in his quiver’s baldric. Several dwarves stepped forward with hands on weapons. A large fox slipped between the legs of the spectators and brushed up against the hunter. He gave the creature a quick look before lowering his hand from his weapon, Blind matched eyes with the fox passing a knowing glance.

“What is it you want with me?” Then hunter spoke in deverenian, a thick accent passing across his lips. Blind stepped towards him signaling her would be protectors off with a wave of her hand.

“Your destiny lays with us my foreign friend.” She paused sizing him up once more; the fox tilting its head in anticipation. “All I ask is that you travel with me for the time of three moons. After which you are free to travel where ever you see fit.” The fox yipped at the hunter once before returning to the sanctity of the crowd. The hunter nodded slowly in approval, his hand moving to rub a beard that wasn’t there.

“I require compensation.” “Done.” Blind’s answer nearly left her lips before the man had been able to speak. He withdrew slightly, taken back by her swift reply.

“My name is Inari ibn Hazdath.” He stepped forward, offering his hand to her.

“You may call me Blind.” She clasped at the man’s wrist as she had seen both deverenian and human alike do in the past though the custom was so unfamiliar to her. “We leave at dusk, please ready yourself.” He nodded once and returned to the crowd.

As Inari moved into the crowd Blind moved her sight back the crowd. Her eyes were met with those of youth and naiveté. She stepped towards the boy who stood amongst the tradesmen. His clothes were covered in blood and gristle, his breathing was heavy and fear played in his eyes at the thought of what the seer might say. Before Blind could twitch her hand a man stepped between them. His hear balding and large black chops framed his mouth. Their clothes so similar in wear and grotesque that she could do little but assume that his man be the boy’s father. Where the boy was fearful and slight of frame this man as defined with eyes as dark and determined as the mountains.

“The boy must come with us, it his purpose on this world to do so.” Blinds tone was even and measured, she new well not to provoke a beast in the defense of its young.

“I don’t what you have seen milady, nor do I care. My boy’s place is here, not on some fairytale goose chase.” As the haggard man spoke the crowd parted allowing Jaldais to come to the seer’s side. The knight’s armor was finished and polished against the cooling mountain air, his hand immediately pulling the long blade from its sheath.

“Cut your tone peasant. At the order of the Ambassadors of Phyrgai those of the destiny of nine are to be gathered for this journey. Lest you believe it or not this Seer has proclaimed your son as one of their number.” The knight held his blade at arms length poised at the butchers throat. The father made no change to his demeanor and yet let a measured amount of humility play across his features.

“As thee wish mine lord.” His archaic deverenian was enough to let the knight feel his contempt. Jaldais withdrew his blade relaxing it at his side. “Though I request to accompany my son on this journey, lest he be a burden to you.” Blind’s sightless eye saw a trail of smoke and shadow pass over the man revealing aging bones as they crumbled to dust. A chillness crept up her spine and soft words whispered into her ears.

“This destiny is your son’s. Not yours. Take this path and understand the consequences for defying the strands of fate.” She held a reserved amount of contempt for the man in her words though he seemed not to care.

“My family makes its own destiny, keep your threats to yourself.” He spat at the dwarfs feet before turning to his son motioning for him to go inside. Jaldais stepped forward bringing his sword to ready over his left shoulder, ready to cleave the peasant’s insolent head from his shoulders. The father quickly pulled a butchers cleaver from the fold of his apron and stepped into the knights reach poising to remove the knight from his manhood. A deathly silence fell over the town as the two men stood in a stale embrace.

“That pathetic excuse of a weapon stands no threat to deverenian steel.”

“It cuts a basilisk from shoulder to thigh, scales and all, in a single stroke just fine.” Doubt flashed across the knight’s eyes as the butcher’s cold and calculated words bite in. “And if you’re so confident then why did you stop your swing?” Tense moments passed between the two men as the sun crossed its apex in the sky. Blind finally stepped forward placing comforting hands on the shoulders of both men.

“Enough. You intentions are known and understood, you and the boy will accompany us.” Her eyes moved from the butcher to the knight, a gentle solidity stretched through her voice. “Now let us lay down are arms, we have much still to do before the day grows tired and others to find before it ends. As both men stowed their weapons the bitter cold of the air between them became caught up in small whirlwind that danced in their tension.

The butcher turned away from the knight walking towards the small building that served as his business and home. The boy stood in the doorway his body half concealed by the old wooden door. His eyes were wide and shaken; while cold sweat flowed from his brow in a river of fear. His father approached, cold and measured, assuring his son that everything was fine and hurrying him inside to pack his things. Jaldais turned back to Blind, his countenance reflected his displeasure of the peasants that he would be forced to share company with. Blind brushed off his displeasure with a calming glance turning once more to the assembled masses. Over half of her companions had been made known; the others still huddled amongst the eager and befuddled citizens of New Goldenaxe.

-Geoffrey Lykken
If you would like to discuss or comment this story you may do so here.