“Yes, exactly. I made the mistake of telling Raylynn and now she won’t stop asking about it. I think that’s part of how she convinced my mother to drag her here.” Zira looked to Vi with pleading eyes. “I know I shouldn’t ask this. But I don’t want to trouble Fiera, not now, not with all that’s going on. And I know that five is a little young to scry into a child’s future, but—”
“I’ll do it,” Vi interrupted, touching the woman’s elbow. “I’ll pretend to be Fiera and try to peer into the future.”
“Are you sure?”
“It’s the least I can do after all you’ve done to help me.” She smiled, hoping the expression hid her uncertainty. Unlike the future-seers at curiosity shops, Vi had much less control over what she did and did not see. But she also had Lightspinning at her disposal, and could make a convincing show of it.
“Thank you.” Zira squeezed her hand once as she led them through two side rooms and into a mirrored reception area with a few low chairs.
There, an older woman sat on her feet and held up her palms, as a young child punched and kicked them.
“Faster, Raylynn,” the elderly woman demanded sternly. “You’re spending too much time on both feet. Bounce!”
The girl tried to do as her grandmother bid, focus knotting her brow. Her golden hair, a striking contrast against the deep tan of her Western skin, swished as she moved.
“I don’t think she’s meant to be a brawler. I think she’ll hear the song of the sword like her mother,” Zira said.
“Mommy!” the girl squealed, sprinting over to Zira. Zira crouched down, taking her daughter into her arms. “Can I come live with you in the castle now? I want to defend the princess, too.”
“You will defend whatever and whoever you wish.” Zira tapped Raylynn’s nose. “When you are old enough to hear the calling.”
“But I can fight.” Raylynn wriggled from her mother’s grasp, bouncing from foot to foot. She threw jabs into the air identical to the ones she’d been practicing with her grandmother.
“You can fight better than half the men I train, my little dagger.” Zira laughed, ruffling her hair. The woman’s tone was entirely different around her daughter. She still had the sharp edge about her that Vi would always associate with Zira, but it was tempered with a tenderness unique to a mother’s love.
“Thank you for gracing us this day, your highness.” Zira’s mother dipped into a low bow, her forehead touching the floor. “You honor us.”
“Princess, I will be your new guard!” Raylynn proclaimed, thrusting a hand into the air. “I am here to report.”
Vi let out a laugh and crouched down as well. “You will be a mighty guard indeed, someday. Though you should listen to your mother and give yourself time to see what cause calls you.”
Raylynn lowered her arm, thinking about this. “If you say so, your highness.”
“Now you’ve met my daughter, Raylynn.” Zira scooped up the girl, pulling her into her lap. “And this is my mother, Sophie.”
“It’s an honor to meet you both.” Vi gracefully eased herself onto one of the legless and armless chairs across from the family. Raylynn’s golden hair was a stark contrast to the rest of them. Her father’s identity was a mystery Vi would not be asking about, given that the girl was conceived after the South invaded. “Zira has told me so much about you.”
“She told me you would look into my future!”
“Raylynn, please,” Sophie half scolded, half sighed.
“Yes, I will. Would you like me to do that now?” Vi glanced over at Zira. The woman bobbed her head yes.
“Yes please.” Raylynn bounced from her mother’s lap. “Gran and I brought things to burn. She said this wouldn’t be like a normal curiosity shop, so we’d better be prepared.”
“Your grandmother is very wise. Be sure you continue to listen to her.”
“You hear that? Even the princess says you should listen to Grandma Sophie,” Zira said.
“Yeah, yeah.” Raylynn rolled her eyes at her mother. “I know that.” She hastily returned to Vi with a collection of items retrieved from the satchel at the older woman’s side. “Here, I brought these.”
Vi scanned what a five-year-old girl had determined was precious enough to burn for a sacred purpose. She held a clump of cotton, two dried leaves, and a bottle containing a shot of amber colored liquid.
“Are they good enough?”
“They’re wonderful,” Vi assured. “I’m going to hold out my hands and make a fire; you drop them in one by one, all right?” Raylynn nodded, an adorable intensity overtaking her. “Here we go.”
Vi rested her elbows on her knees, sitting cross legged. She leaned forward, made a bowl out of her hands, and allowed her spark to fill the empty space. Fire ignited, eagerly filling her cupped palms. It burned brightly, shining off Raylynn’s delighted expression.
