“There’s nothing left to lose anyways,” I say quietly to no one in particular.
Her raven hair sways with each step and I notice little braids crossed in the back with three silver hoops intertwined within them. It forms a clover shape in the back of her head, securing her hair halfway up. It only adds to her unusual allure as I’ve never seen these styles before.
She pushes a curtain aside and behind it lies a large alcove that exposes a balcony. I rush towards it when I see the opening, eager to see if there’s an escape.
I meet up with her and stand by her side as she leans over the stone barrier. She’s the image of serenity except there’s a certain sadness that shadows her face as she looks down. My eyes follow hers and I nearly choke as I gasp, taking in the view that’s below me. I can’t help when I stagger back until I’m flush against the cobbled wall, thankful for its sturdiness.
“How in the gods can you be that damned close to the edge?” I practically screech out.
We’re high in a tower,too high. Unnaturally high. So much so that when I brave getting close to the edge again, I’m suddenly overcome with dizziness. I grasp the ledge for reassurance and peer down.
Mirth laces her words as she says to me, “they look like ants don’t they?”
My only reply is surprised laughter, disbelief riddling within me.
“How is this possible? I’ve never seen this tower in all my days when visiting Ezmelir.”
The same shadowed sadness washes over her face before she replies, “The Tower of Creulein is charmed. No one can see it from the outside.”
A soft breeze blows again, chilling my skin and causing gooseflesh to form.
The woman must notice because she promptly stands straight and returns through the curtains at my back.
I take one more glance over the railing, this time awe replacing the disturbing feeling I had before. Laid out before me is the whole capital, faint dancing lights twinkle below before stopping abruptly at the walls surrounding the city.
From here, I can see the beginnings of the sea and the Meadows of Scyleyre all the way to the range of the Lieth Mountains. It’s as if I were flying. The thought makes my heart ache as suddenly the image of Oak flying off is forced into my mind.
I turn to go back inside now that my curiosity is piqued.
Slipping through the heavy curtains I’m greeted by the mysterious woman, she sits at a small table while shuffling playing cards.
“My name is Lisiantha, you can call me Lis.” She doesn’t look at me when she says this, her focus is solely on the cards in front of her.
She continues, “come have a seat so we can talk.”
The oddness of this all has me complying.
I pull the empty chair out and settle in the seat, waiting for her to speak again.
She lifts her eyes to mine and once again I’m struck by the unique beauty of her. Her face lights up as her smile overtakes nearly her whole lower face.
“Alora, I can tell you’ve never met anyone descended from oracles.”
I blink dumbfoundedly. Opening my mouth to speak, I promptly shut it when I realize, that yes, I have not ever met a single person descended from beings that I thought were childhood stories.
I’m sure it’s amusing to watch me gape like a baby bird.
She simply waits, letting me process what she’s telling me.
“Oracles?” The word is practically croaked out as I try to speak again, “You mean?—”
“Yes, they’re real.” She doesn’t stop there, “Anyways, we have more important things to talk about.”
She shuffles the cards again in front of me, with such ease I’m sure she’s done this thousands of times.
“Go on… Lis, is it?” I’m sure Leeson would be laughing at how abrupt I’m being.
She offers a placating smile, warmth touching the corners of her lips.
