Chapter 160: Fortune’s Favoured

“What’s that tent?” Rosalyn asked, pointing at a brightly coloured, but smaller tent set between two stalls. It was taller, with a single point at the top of its otherwise cylindrical form with flaps that naturally hung closed. A fancy sign with a sphere sat to the side of the entrance, proclaiming the name of the proprietor.

“I don’t even need to read that sign,” Ann said excitedly. “That’s a fortune teller!”

“Wait, like the Seer that Krisnaal was talking about?”

“No no, this is probably just silly stuff like reading your palm and tea leaves. That’s still a thing, right?”

“Dinnae, ye hag. Might have tae find out,” Kat laughed. “C’mon.”

Fortunately, the tent was unoccupied at that moment, and as the throuple pulled open the entrance, the smell of incense overwhelmed them. Rosalyn fell into a fit of sneezes as the smoke filled her face, and Ann’s eyes watered slightly. The room was dim and hazy, with a small table at the centre of the floor. Atop it sat the most stereotypical crystal ball Ann had ever seen, complete with a golden stand. Covering the walls, an overlapping pattern of scrolls were hung, all inscribed with a text Ann wasn’t familiar with. Since she was able to read the current language of the land, she figured this either had to be foreign or complete gibberish. Several shelves stood around the perimeter stocked with herbs, masks, and other curiosities.

“Welcome one, welcome all, to Magister Felix’s Fortune Focum,” a booming voice announced. “I am Magister Felix, here to divine the future and reveal your fates. Master of the arcanum, visionary, I welcome all. Do you have your payment for such great and terrible secrets?”

Kat chuckled and flicked three iron pieces onto the table.

“Felix thanks you kindly,” Felix said.

Ann still hadn’t been able to place the man. In the dim and smoky room, she should be able to at least hear where his voice was coming from. She let out a yelp as a mask that had appeared to be set on a shelf moved, floating over to the table. A hand with a black glove appeared as if from nowhere to take their payment before disappearing again.

“Would you sit? What can I offer such beauties this fine day?”

“Oh! I know!” Rosalyn chirped. “I wanna know our future. Like, are we still gonna be together when we’re older? How’s that all gonna work? Cause I think it’s gonna last but you never know, and it could go badly at some point, but it’d be cool to see what someone else thinks.”

Felix chuckled ominously behind his mask. “A fine request. May Felix ask your name?”

“Rosalyn.”

“Dear Rosalyn, simply proffer your hand. Hold it before the ball of finest crystal and Felix will peer into your essence.”

“Do I need to channel magic into it?”

“No need, fine lady. Just your presence is enough,” Felix said, a slight nervousness creeping into his voice.

As Rosalyn engaged the man, Ann tried to figure out the trick to his seemingly invisible form. Every way she twisted and turned, she couldn’t see anything behind the mask, and when his hands reappeared, it was like they were coming from thin air. It had to be some kind of enchantment.

“It’s his cloak,” Kat whispered, just loud enough only the two women with sensitive hearing could pick up. “It ain’t perfect, but the fog hides the edges. Look fer a ripple.”

At her prompting, Ann stopped looking at where the man should be, but where he should end. Sure enough, after a bit of searching, she could make out the person’s outline moving as he twirled his hands over the crystal ball.

“Now, Miss Rosalyn, are you prepared to learn? To see through time itself?”

“Yeah!” Rosalyn nodded excitedly.

“I call upon thee, spirit of time. Look upon this humble servant and provide us with sight. The destiny of Rosalyn, laid bare. I see… I see…” Felix trailed off, mask drawing near the orb, pondering it closely. “What? Oh my. I see a long future, stretching far, far into the distance. A life of adventure and wonders, yet terrible frights. Laughter and love follow you always. Glory, hard won, and fame unwanted. A fine future for such a beautiful woman.”

“Ooh, sounds exciting,” Rosalyn giggled. “What about Ann and Kat? Are they there?”

“Felix sees companions with you. A great wolf, and a warrior fair. Felix would interpret this to mean your lovers remain with you, yes. There may be more, but they are hidden from Felix’s sight.”

“Wonder why that’d be,” Rosalyn murmured. “Oh well, at least you two are there. Wanna give this a try?”

“I’m game,” Ann said, approaching the table. “Lay it on me, oh Felix the Great. What’s my future?”

“Mmm,” Felix hummed. “I fear the crystal is not the proper implement for you, miss…”

“Annita.”

“Annita, yes. I believe the cards are calling your name.” With a flourish, Felix disappeared the crystal ball into his cloak, and placed it upon a shelf. Black gloves slid a deck of large cards before Felix returned to the table. “The cards of the Gods. Are you familiar with such occult objects, Annita?”

“I know about tarot cards, so I’m guessing they’re similar?”

“Cards imbued with a divine essence, attracted to one’s very destiny. When shuffled, they will order themselves to tell your story. Please, place your hand upon the deck.”

Ann did as he instructed, unable to hide her grin. This was exactly what she’d done to some friends when she’d been into this kind of thing in high school. That Halloween was a lot of fun.

Felix nodded, then shuffled the deck. Drawing out the moment with a deep breath, he drew the first card. “Ah, as expected, Orenous, facing up. Fitting for a beauty such as yourself. To have this card is to have much love in your life, and I see this is already true. Next, ah, the Warped, also right side up. A general identification that comes for those of the Vulhardrin people. Felix understands the debate about their origins, but the cards care not for mortal squabbles. Next! Hmm, interesting. Illdall inverted. You will face great danger in your future, young lady, and will lack protection in a time of dire need. Beware.”

“Spooky,” Ann giggled.

“Indeed,” Felix said with dead seriousness. “Next, Death. Ah. Are you, perhaps, mercenaries?”

“Guilty,” Ann confessed.

“This makes sense. Ones who walk with danger see this card often. Death will be your constant companion. Learn to walk with it and pray that it not turn its baleful gaze your way. Next we have Swords. A fierce battle is nigh. Prepare your arms and armour, fair warrior, and meet it bravely.”

“Heh, sounds like somethin’ fun’s comin,” Kat said.

“Just because you like to brawl doesn’t mean every fight’s fun,” Ann sighed. “Keep going, Felix.”

“The final card is the Twisted Lady, harbinger of great events. Felix reads this as Annita being involved in events that will change the Kingdom. A powerful, but daunting portent.”

“Damn, I like these. Thanks Felix. Hopefully Death isn’t looking at you today,” Ann laughed.

“Felix prays for this as well.” Behind his mask, Ann could hear him smiling. “Now, we come to our last participant. Felix knows you well, Princess Katlyn Farragher. The crystal ball calls one more. But a moment.”

Felix stood and retrieved his orb, setting it up before returning to his seat. “Now, as your friend did before you, raise your hand above the orb of all knowing sight and focus yourself.”

Ann grinned watching Kat playing along with the act. She could be curmudgeonly when she wanted, but the goofiness was what endeared Ann to the woman.

Felix lifted his own gloved hands, making random gestures as he peered into the orb. “Let us see what the crystal reveals for us. Hmm, yes. I see something, a shape moving in the shadows. Strong, fierce! A proud thing. Many a battle won. Many a foe slain. I see… oh…” Felix leaned closer. “What is that?” he asked, his voice falling out of the exaggerated mysticism. “Do you see, Princess?”

“See what?” Kat asked, looking into the ball.

Ann and Rosalyn took a step forward, trying to get a better look.

“There, behind the… how is this? What is going on? I see you? On a battlefield, surrounded by smoke and flame. Something moves under the rubble. Long, sinuous. I… GODS ABOVE!” Felix cried out, flinging himself back from the table.

“Shite, ye ok?” Kat asked, rushing to the mostly invisible man’s aid. “Come on, get this silly thing off.” Kat removed Felix’s mask to show a pale face with a small beard underneath. A singular eye set in the middle of his forehead blinked up at her in terror as the man’s lips quivered.

“It… it spoke! What?”

“What did it say?”

“That… that I peer into things I have no right to. It said to leave lest I be caught in the flames of its wrath.”

“Yeah, but what was it?” Ann pressed.

“Dragon,” Felix whispered. “A great and terrible blue dragon. I’ve only seen drawings of the great lizards. What in the Hells was that? I don’t have any spells or magics to look into the future. This is all for the fun of it! Party tricks that my mother taught me. I’ve never had something like that happen.”

Kat paused, looking at Ann and Rosalyn, then back to Felix. “Me good man, I think ye’ve been in ‘ere too long. Incense is gettin’ tae yer head. C’mon, let’s get ye fresh air. Up ye go,” Kat huffed as she lifted Felix bodily and helped him out of the tent. Gently, she sat him down by his sign and took a seat next to him. “Deep breaths. Ye’ll feel better in a minute.”

“You… you’re right,” Felix sighed, following Kat’s instruction. “Been in there for a few hours, must have been my imagination getting the better of me. It felt so real, though.”

“If it helps, I didn’t see anythin’.”

“You didn’t?” Felix still looked shaken as he squinted at Kat.

“Nae.”

Felix sat there for a little longer, then nodded. “Yeah. That does help a little. The dragon was a disturbing thing. It was almost skeletal, no meat on its bones, and its wings looked over-taught. It felt like it was looking into my soul.”

“Hey, good material fer yer act,” Kat laughed, nudging him with a friendly elbow. “Imagine the ladies gettin’ a proper fright outta somethin’ like that.”

He chuckled, then laughed, the tension falling from his shoulders. “By the Gods, you’re right. Maybe it was just inspiration striking me in the moment. Thank you, highness. I feel much better.”

“Your whole schtick is really fun,” Ann said, crouching down beside him. “Keep it up. Gotta say, though. It’s a bit weird talking to a disembodied head.”

“Oh, the cloak? Neat, isn’t it? Managed to buy it off an enchanter going out of business a few years back. It’s imperfect and shows a shimmering when you move, but if you have enough smoke in a dimly lit place, it doesn’t matter.”

Ann smiled as Felix beamed up at her, then started showing her how the cloak worked. It was a handy item, and she was tempted to get Wendyl to work on something similar. Now that she was thinking about it, a tent made of the stuff would be amazing for camping out in the wilds.

“Alright, time for us to get going, then,” Kat said, standing and helping Felix to his feet. “Have a blessed Everfrost.”

“You too, highness. A pleasure to meet you, Rosalyn and Annita. Tell your friends to visit the Fantastic Felix whenever they have a chance!”

“We will!” Ann called as they walked away.

After a few moments, Kat led them into a quiet corner. “The feck was that?”

“I dunno? Maybe he actually had a vision?” Rosalyn suggested. “It sounded like your dragon, down to the whole emaciated description. Why could he see that, though? He said himself that all of his fortune telling was fake. Could the Dragon have co-opted that?”

“If it did, then why didn’t Waheela do the same?” Kat asked, looking over at Ann.

“Dunno, let’s see if she’s in the mood to talk.”

You in the mood to talk?

The prideful lizard forgets its place. I will devour it in time.

“She’s grumpy and annoyed that the Dragon is acting up. Also wants to eat it, but she wants to eat everyone, so that’s kinda normal,” Ann shrugged. “So I guess it’s because she wants to stay hidden, and the Dragon is less ok with doing the same.”

“Knowin’ me stories o’ Dragons, that makes sense. Even the benevolent ones were prideful beasties. They wanted tae be known in their territory, an’ have everyone lookin’ up tae them. Guessin’ me inner beastie wanted to show its fangs.”

“So I guess we avoid anything that looks into your soul or mind,” Ann decided. “Even if it’s fake, it sounds like you’ll have issues with it.”

“Sounds annoying,” said Rosalyn. “Oh well, it’s the price we bear for all of this fun Warped stuff we get to see. Really hope the Dragon chills out, eventually.”

“Me too,” Kat nodded. “Alright, let’s get some food. Need a snack after that.”

The vendor they found was selling fried… something that smelled tasty. Ann wasn’t going to question it too much, and chowed down. The doughy ball was tender with a slight sweetness that offset the salty centre. She couldn’t place the taste, but she guessed it was some kind of bean paste at the middle. Regardless, the thing was delicious and tongue searingly hot. The closest thing she could compare it to was takoyaki, but even that was wrong, since the breading was properly cooked.

Thanking the vendor, they walked with their snacks, simply enjoying the atmosphere. It was getting closer to the middle of the day and the crowds were swelling. Apparently, all of Korvas had the next two days off aside from vital positions. Shops closed, merchants scheduled meetings around it, the whole nine yards. If you could, you were making time for the Everfrost Festival.

Ann loved this, since it meant she got to see more families out and about. Normally there were packs of roving kids, a mother or father with their children, or couples out together. Seeing a mother Alfhindur and her Bultrong husband walking around with their little halfling daughter was adorable. It also gave her more references on how various couples affected their children. Vulhardrin seemed to pass on some variation of their traits to their children, though to a lesser degree if their spouse was anything other than human. Bultrong parents seemed to have shorter children, with stockier builds, but didn’t overwrite their partner’s genetics entirely either. She saw a few greener Alfhindur wandering around, though they missed the tusks of their obviously Thrundol parentage. The only race Ann couldn’t figure out were the Grrn. Maybe they just didn’t reproduce sexually, so children were something else to them.

“Kat, Rosalyn, question. How are more Grrn made?”

“Didn’t think we’d be havin’ this talk right now,” Kat laughed. “So, when a mommy Grrn an’ a daddy Grrn love each other very much…”

“Stop teasing her,” Rosalyn giggled, slapping Kat’s thigh. “Grrn have a special way they’re made. It’s a bit mysterious, and they like to keep most of it a secret, but there’s a place deep in the mountain that they use to make more. None of them are actually born from their parents, more formed by them. How they actually breathe life into the stone itself is a complete mystery that none of them talk about. There’s speculation that Voltid is involved, or some other God that they keep to themselves. You won’t be getting the answer anytime soon, though.”

“So, do the parents sculpt the, um, baby Grrn and then the Grrn parent takes them wherever and comes back with a living child?”

“Aye,” Kat nodded. “Usually how it works. They’re full grown as far as their bodies go, bein’ made o’ stone, but they’ve still gotta learn like everyone else.”

“That’s so cool. Ugh, now I want to go see what that’s like. It has to be some crazy mystical shit if they keep everyone and everything out. Maybe they’re powered by magma and they have to put that inside the newly created Grrn? Or some kinda rune that only they can know is put inside? Wonder if Wendyl’s ever looked into it.”

“Like I said, no one knows. Wendyl wouldn’t either,” Rosalyn said matter of factly. “I’d love to talk to one, maybe take them apart if it didn’t hurt them, but that’d be rude and probably too invasive for anyone so I guess that’ll be a mystery that I’ll never know. Ugh, it’s so interesting. How do rocks live? It makes no sense!”

“Easy, lamb,” Kat chuckled. “Maybe we’ll find some heretical Grrn out there that’ll spill the grain.”

“Maybe. Doubt it,” Rosalyn pouted, then took another bite of her snack. “I wanna play something. Ooh! Wait, that’s Bren and Lucia! Is that a shooting game? Lucia’s gonna kill it at that. Let’s go over! I wanna try!”