A Soldier's Life - 328 - Seer

Chapter 328:

Namao poured me a cup of tea and passed it to me. “Expecting you? Not you, in particular. But I can tell you have traveled very far to see me.”

“I did sail halfway around Desia to bring back the goliaths,” I said, hoping to get some favor with the woman.

The goliath’s eye arched, “Oh, you were part of that? But you know what I meant, boy. You came a long way to get here.”

I shifted uncomfortably in my chair. I was torn between saying it out loud or seeing if she was implying I was an other worlder. “I came here to get some artifacts examined,” I said, sipping the tea casually. It was actually extremely sweet and bitter, with a kick of spicy heat. It was not really my cup of tea, but I pretended to enjoy it.

The goliath matron nodded slowly, but she looked disappointed. “My ability is to see the past, present, and future. I may be able to help you with your artifacts.”

I quipped back with a grin, “Everyone can see the present.”

Her finger slowly pointed at me as if she were going to scold me, and then she offered a cackling chuckle, “Ha, I like you, boy. Not everyone sees with the eyes given to them. But I can see the present here,” she gestured around the room. “—or there,” she made a broad gesture.

“Like scrying?” I asked, interested.

Namao seemed to consider her reply, “Yes and no, my sight is not constrained by spellcraft. I am a seer, not a mage.”

My mind was churning over everything she had said as she waited patiently. I stalled for time. “Why did you think I came to see you?”

A wide smile erupted on her face. “Ah, we are going back to that then. You are not the first to come to me to ask how you got here—and how to return home.”

“To Earth?” I blurted. Was there someone else from Earth? My heart raced, excited at the possibility.

“Not recently, but others from Aphora and Luatera have found me within the last ten years.” She said, reveling in my shock.

“Aphora? Luatera?” I questioned.

“Aphora, the origin planet of the elves. Luatera is where orcs who come to Desia came from. There are other planets, but most do not have organised societies.” She sipped her tea and waited for me to digest.

“And you were able to tell those who visited you how to get home?” Her lips pursed into a thin line.

“No. I can only see what was, what is, and what is to come. For you, I can see the day you arrived on Desia, naked and—disturbed. How you were brought here was by the aether gate engines. Or more commonly called the dungeons.”

“So that is what I felt. You were reading me when I walked in? The gates that the Titans built? I was told they were destroyed.” I replied.

I felt the tingly feeling in my arms again. Whatever she was doing was reacting to my bone inscriptions again. I resisted scratching and waited for her. Her eyes went wide, “You have met Khrusos? And yet, you still live.” She nodded respectfully at me. “You are an unusual one. Yes, the gates that the Titans built are destroyed, but the dungeons’ engines still function. Only once all the dungeons are destroyed will the bridges be severed. For your net question—I do not know how the engines function. For that, you would need to consult with Hephaestus. I do not know where he is, only that he still does.”

“How do you know so much?” I asked.

“You’re wondering why an old woman on an island possesses such knowledge? Boy, I already told you, I am a seer.” She smiled brightly, “When I do my chores, my mind tends to wander to the past. I have picked up some things then—and other things from people coming seeking answers.”

“How much for your services?” I didn’t think this old goliath was a charlatan. She knew too much, and she obviously had some type of ability to read me.

She poured herself some more tea. “I do not ask for payment in coins but in a task that may help my people. For the price, I will need to see your future. But first, what is your question?”

I considered my artifacts and then thought to ask about the world gates. She had already freely given me a lot of information. “Where are others from Earth?”

She tsked at me, “I do not know, I am not omniscient. The last one who visited me is dead, as are the others before him. Ask me questions about yourself. Do you wish to know more about your future? Or perhaps the artifacts you hoped me to give you insight into?”

Did I really want to know more about my possible future? “If you tell me about my death, can I avoid it?” I asked.

“Brilliant question!” She laughed uproariously. “Perhaps—but in avoiding it, you may lead yourself to a different death. Are you going to return to see me every time you avoid your fate so you can avoid the next?” Her eyes twinkled, and glee was plastered on her face.

She enjoyed our conversation, while I did not. “Can you see if I will meet anyone from Earth in the future? Will I return to Earth in the future?”

“Fascinating question! That, I can do. For my price, find and destroy the dungeon on Stone Mountain Island.” She had said it like it was no big deal.

I was in momentary shock before regaining my composure. A little exasperated, I countered. “I only get one question? Isn’t that an unbalanced exchange?”

The matron smirked slightly, “Bartering. I will look at any artifacts you want—after you destroy the dungeon. And I will also answer your question.”

“The question and one artifact now, and the rest of the artifacts after the dungeon is dealt with.” I was actually hiding my glee. If the dungeon had manticores, I wouldn’t have to risk hunting them across the island.

“One item now. No answers until payment is completed,” she retorted mirthfully, enjoying herself.

I exhaled loudly in some fabricated consternation. “Where is the dungeon, and how do I destroy it?” Just knowledge of the dungeon’s location would make this meeting worthwhile.

“I do not know,” she held up her hand to stop me. “But, it is likely on the slopes of the second-highest mountain. You have talked with Navek—he is getting closer.”

I narrowed my eyes, “Have you set others on this task?”

“You are the third, fourth if you include Navek. Although he only sought the location of the manticore who killed his family. He has not sought my council in a long time,” she said softly, and I could tell there was some history there.

“If you know there is a dungeon, why haven’t you told others?”

“I only tell the ones I see who have a possible future after finding the dungeon,” she said heavily. She seemed to sag in her chair, aging before my eyes. I didn’t get the impression she was acting. “I do not send men and women to their deaths needlessly. There has to be a chance at success. Your chance is greater than most before you. Is it agreed then?”

“You haven’t told me how to destroy the dungeon once I find it,” I replied.

“I don’t know. I only knew they could be destroyed.” She waved her hand. “I’m not omniscient, remember? If you succeed and return to me, I can glean that knowledge from you.”

“Seems like the agreement tilts back in your favor then,” I bantered back.

“Fine! Two items today.” She clapped her hands, a signal the negotiation was over. “Two items today is my limit after sifting through your threads. No more questions as I grow weary and require rest.”

I considered offering to come back tomorrow but decided against it. I produced a heavy silver chain with a large sapphire on it. It was a very ornate piece of jewelry, with etchings of birds and fairies along the chain. Two fairies held the gem. The azure gem made it appear like flowing water when light was behind it. The object mesmerized the old goliath’s eyes as her hand trembled as she took it. Her eyes closed briefly before she rasped irritably, “It has no past. It was created by a dungeon. You claimed it from a band of gnolls. Its future…” Namao closed her eyes.

They quickly shot open, surprised, and she studied me. “You could live for a very long time. Longer than you find the desire to.” She handed me back the ornate artifact. “I see you using the artifact while you work. In your alchemy and at the forge—perhaps in the distant future at a loom. It helps you focus and gives you insight into your craft.”

“Thank you. That is very helpful.” The amulet disappeared.

Namao held up her hand, “Something that has a history. Looking forward takes too much of my energy, and I am tired.”

I hesitated and then decided on Rhuuk’s silver ring. It was not a dungeon ring as its runic script did not glow in heat. But it did take a trickle of aether from me. She took the ring, closing her eyes. Her eyes fluttered as she delved into the ring’s past. She went through faint facial expressions: small smiles, grimaces, dread, and astonishment.

She opened her eyes, “You killed the orc that wore this ring. While he wore it, it gave him surefootedness in all conditions. He fought with it on snow, sand, mud, and floors covered in blood. He never slipped or faltered.” She handed me back the ring. “A powerful warrior’s boon it is.” Namao stood, “And now I must rest. Return with word of your success.”

As I walked back to Eternis, I felt a slight annoyance. You could only wear one ring on each hand, and both rings I had beneath my spider silk gloves were too precious to take off. The channeling ring increased my aether recovery, while the ring of sustenance let me survive on less food and sleep. With reduced sleep, I could accomplish more. I assumed the necklace would interfere with my aether shield amulet as well. Fortuna had been too kind to me.

When I arrived back in our room at the inn, I found Raelia had left me a note. She would visit Maveith as his father was working on her saddle. They would be back in six days. I grumbled as I had said we would take a week off. But I had imagined baths and nights in Raelia’s company.

I could keep myself occupied—without Konstantin’s help. I had two heavy tables brought up to my room and set up the alchemy equipment I had purchased. I was out of mouthwash after all, and finding out how the sapphire necklace worked would be a productive endeavor. I had a few healing salve recipes from local ingredients that I could try as well.

I spent the rest of the day exhausting myself, shopping at different apothecaries and herbalists across the city. I didn’t feel like setting up the alchemical processes at the moment so I lay down on the bed, the griffin down pillow under my head, and opened the Elvish book of charm affinity spell forms…

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