Page 25 of Charmed

“Remember, I make my own destiny now, Talia.” Darium told his wife. “Besides, I was given a healing kiss by the Elemental of the Air, Portia-Maer. She said, even if I did sin eat from now on it would be my choice. She told me I won’t take on the darkness of others anymore, either way.”

“There is no one here that knows this couple to mourn them or to ask you to sin eat for them,” Talia pointed out. “I don’t see the purpose in it.”

“That’s true,” agreed Lira. “You usually do it to help the living of the deceased find solace. This couple have no one that we know of. It’s not necessary.”

We have a son,said the man.

His name is Gregor, added the woman. Gregor Lithum. He needs to know. Please find him and tell him what happened.

Persimmon quickly pulled the orb back out and held it in two hands before she spoke. “They have a son and they want us to find him,” she told the others, seeing the sadness on the couple’s faces.

“Really. What else do you see in the gazing crystal?” asked Stone, sounding suspicious of her. “And why aren’t you even looking at it?”

Persimmon closed her eyes and released a deep breath. “It is important to the elderly couple that their son comes to them now.”

“Ask the gazing orb where we can find their son,” said Darium.

The woman answered, having heard the question. Our son resides at Macada Castle.

Gregor works for King Sethor, although we don’t agree with it. We haven’t spoken with him for years, added the man.

“I know his name and where to find him.” Persimmon quickly put away her gazing ball once more before Stone could point out again to everyone that she wasn’t even looking into it.

“Great,” said Darium. “So tell me, and I will go and fetch him. Where can I find their son?”

“His name is Gregor Lithum and he resides at Macada Castle,” she told the others.

“Oh, crap,” Darium said under his breath. “Anywhere but there.”

“What’s the matter?” asked Stone.

“That is where the evil King Sethor resides. He is the enemy of all the magical beings of Mura,” Darium explained.

“You can’t go there, Darium. Please,” begged his wife, trying to stop him.

“It seems important to this dying couple. We must do it. For their sakes. It will be fine,” Darium told his wife, giving her a hug.

“It sounds like the exact place where a thief would hide.” Stone nodded and rubbed his chin in thought. “Yes, it is. I will go with you to Macada Castle, Darium, because I am tracking two men from Taelgonoth that I believe could be hiding there. And I am sure Aithrod will want to join us, too.”

You need to go as well, the old woman told Persimmon, but Persimmon pretended not to hear her.

They might not be able to find Gregor. We can guide you to him, said the man.

Please. He is all we have left in this world. The woman clung to her husband, looking as if she were about to cry.

“I guess I’ll go, too,” Persimmon blurted out before she could change her mind.

“Sister, nay. It is too dangerous,” warned Lira. “Stay here at Kasculbough where you’ll be safe.”

Persimmon struggled with her decision, but realized both Darium and Stone were doing what they believed was for the best. She had done nothing to help save this couple’s lives, but mayhap she could help bring about justice for their senseless deaths if they perished.

“It is my decision, and I want to go, too,” said Persimmon with conviction.

“Then what are we waiting for?” Darium led the way out the door. “I will take Murk with us and send him back with word on what is transpiring. He’ll let the rest of you know if we should happen to encounter trouble.”

“Persimmon? Are you ready?” Stone’s hand was on her arm again. She flashed him a smile and headed out the door, hoping that after this she would never have to see a ghost or a spirit or be asked to scry using her crystal ball ever again.