“Keep your eyes on the ground where they belong. Don’t think for a moment that you’re granted the right to interact with our people as a commoner might be. You are not! You’re the shit on our feet and nothing more. Understood?”
Mayra nodded and moved around the guard, hurrying her steps until she reached the edge of the garden. Only then did she lift her head and reach up to wipe the blood from her cheek. The Vanfians had sharp, albeit small, claws that weren’t used in battle for anything much, but they could do damage in a domestic fight.
Terap’s voice flooded the space before Mayra, offering comfort like nothing else might.
“One more deep breath. Hold it. Hold it. And release. Good. That’s all for today. Find yourself something sweet to eat and rest for an hour. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” Terap moved back and turned lightly as Mayra stopped beside the large group. The older woman motioned her to come closer, and Mayra hesitated.
“Come, child. No one will hurt you here.” Terap extended her paw and tilted her head a little. “Did someone strike you again?”
“Yes. It is no matter, though.” Mayra forced back the hard emotions beating inside her chest. There was no time to feel sorry for herself. She was soon to become a breeding ground for young Vanfian males to work out their aggression and practice their mating rituals on. Being a part of the planet’s harem was a fate worse than death. Getting put in her place by a castle guard was nothing compared to the horror of where she was soon headed.
“Of course, it is.” Terap sighed and put her short arm around Mayra’s waist as they walked toward a stone bench that sat a few feet from the crowd. “Come. I have a small health kit with me. You tell me why you’re in search of me, and I’ll fix you right up.”
A smile lifted Mayra’s lips. “As if you don’t know why I’m here. I’ve run out of time, and I would rather die than—”
“Hush.” Terap released Mayra and moved to sit down as she let out a long sigh. Her light grey fur had begun to darken over the last year, and her usual upbeat attitude was dimming as well. She was fading from her duties as Oracle of Vanfia. How much longer did she have? And who would take her place when she was done?
The entire kingdom was concerned about a future where Terap wasn’t their seer. The vision the older woman had entertained the day Mayra arrived on Vanfia was that she would be the next oracle, but no one had ever heard of a human from Territh being part of the royal court. It was unheard of and made life far more difficult for Mayra than it should have.
“I’ve been warned again this morning that if I don’t unleash my powers that I’ll be thrown to the harem as the whore they expect me to be.” Mayra jerked back as the older woman wiped softly at the cut on her face. “I’m not sure why they would want me in the harem. No one can stand to look at me.”
“Because you’re beautiful.” Terap smiled and patted her shoulder. “They tear you down because they fear you. To attack your beauty is the best weapon they have. You do not know where you truly came from or where you are going, but this?” Terap patted Mayra’s cheek. “This beautiful face is all you have in the world. To destroy your image of who you see when you look in the mirror is their greatest weapon.”
“Right.” Mayra glanced down and brushed her fingers over her dress, smoothing out the wrinkles in the rough fabric. “Well, it’s worked. I hate the way I look. It sickens me to see a mirror.”
“Then they have won, child.” Terap pushed her small paw under Mayra’s chin and forced her to look up. “You are the next Great Oracle, but you’ll not be here to serve.”
“Pardon?” Fear raced through Mayra’s chest. Were they going to kill her? When?
“I believe a savior is coming for you, child. Be ready.”
“What?” Mayra moved back and stood. “I’m not leaving. They’ll kill me if I leave and am captured.”
The older woman laughed and crossed her hands in her lap. “They will, you’re right, but I’ve had a vision, a bright one.” Mayra knew that was Terap’s name for particularly powerful visions. “The savior should be the one to open your gift. Be ready to receive him.”
“Is he a god?” Mayra crossed her arms over her chest and tried to stop herself from shaking before it began. No luck.
“No. He’s a king. Take heart and give him the key to unleashing your power. The journey ahead of you is worthy of your attention. It will replace all the horror of your past and give you hope for a future that even I would sell my soul for.”
Mayra nodded and turned as several guards headed their way. “When will he come?”
“Soon.” Terap moved around her and patted her arm softly. “Soon, child. Be prepared to run.”
