Sarina knew that the whole city, and therefore probably this trader's market was filled with magic, but something felt especially different about this caravan with the stardust speckled tent. For one, not a soul seemed to be visiting the place. There wasn't even anyone sitting outside the tent like the other stores, trying to draw people in.
Sarina now stood in front of the the caravan and she got an ominous feeling. The tent in front covered an empty patch of flattened sand, but strangely there were no items for sale. The entrance to the caravan was too dark to see what was inside the round room at the back of the tent. The place let out a dark feeling, and it seemed colder in the spot she was standing. She shivered and questioned if she was still interested in entering.
After a while, she decided not to go in, afraid of the intense aura around the store and she turned to find a more inviting caravan. Sarina began to turn away when she saw a face peering at her through the door way. She stopped and stared at the man that was looking at her intensely without saying word. After gazing in her eyes longer than what felt comfortable, he slowly raised his hand and motioned for Sarina to enter the caravan.
Sarina looked around, wondering if the man could be motioning to someone else even though his wave was obviously for her. She took a step towards the doorway, looking at the dark space trying to see why he was inviting her inside. The man had also disappeared deeper to the room.
Sarina decided she would ignore sanity and step inside. She walked through the dark doorway and was surprised by what she saw.
Glowing lanterns filled with neon colors lit up a top shelf that was place around the entire room, giving the interior an etherial yet subtle glow. She looked for the person who had waved her inside and saw him sitting at a round table in the back of the small room. Dark colored rugs were placed on top of the sandy floor and the walls were filled with different shaped and colorful glasses that were filled with dark looking liquids.
"Hello" she called to the man, noticing they were the only two in the shop and questioned once again if she should run out and flee. He looked at her and nodded for her to come and join him at the table.
Sarina hesitantly made her way towards the man. He was of medium height and build, with short black hair buzzed almost to his scalp. His face had deep lines, making him look older and wiser. Sarina froze when she saw his eyes. They were glowing slightly and when you looked closely you could see every color you could image from yellow to purple to crimson; rainbow-hued eyes. Sarina concluded it was by far the strangest thing she had ever seen, even outranking the sand shark.
"Um ...hello" she said again when she was closer.
"Your name is Sarina, yes" the man asked with certainty.
"How do you know that" Sarina replied, drawing back a step.
"I was informed by the source."
"The source" Sarina said questioningly.
"Yes, please sit" the man said, motioning at the chair on the opposite side of the table from him.
Sarina finally took the steps and sat, perching herself on the edge of the old chair so she could stand quickly if she decided she'd had enough. The man reached under the table and grabbed something with both hands. He brought a large round black crystal from under the table and set it carefully on a stand that was already present on the table.
"Why did you invite me here" Sarina finally asked.
"I have a message for you" replied the man. "My name is Manfri. I am what is called a keeper, or you may understand it as a knowledge holder. I was sent to give you a prophecy."
Sarina looked at him skeptically. She had never heard of a keeper, not even in the books she had read. She had read about fortune telling and most of the time the people who received a fortune in her books were miserable afterwards.
"I have no desire to know my future" Sarina said, her voice filled with seriousness.
"The choice is up to you, but I must warn you that if you do not receive the prophecy, there is only doom in your future for you and for your kingdom. The source has determined that you need guidance" Manfri replied in a gravelly voice.
"What is this 'source'" Sarina asked, not sure if she should believe this man, she had just met him after all.
"It is where all the magic that flows through your veins and through this community comes from."
"What do you mean through my veins?"
"Will you receive the prophecy" Manfri asked, looking her in the eyes.
Sarina did not want to know what would happen to her. She did not want to live with the torment of knowing what her doom could be, she would rather face it when it came. But he said there was only doom, and not just for her, but for her whole kingdom. Did that mean that if she listened to her possible future she could change the doomed fate? Could she be selfish and live in ignorance?
"Alright, I will receive it" Sarina said, deciding.
"I need your hand" Manfri said.
"What for" Sarina asked, immediately wary.
"The prophecy requires blood."
Sarina felt the warmth leave her face. She was not a fan of gore and she did not know this man. Once again she thought of the greater good and closed her eyes, pushing out her right hand towards the man.
She felt a warm slice and then burning pain. She winced and opened her eyes quickly. He had cut her palm with a small knife and then placed it on table next to the crystal. Sarina's head grew slightly dizzy and she took a deep breath as she watched her blood pool in the center of her hand and begin to run off the sides.
Manfri grabbed her wrist, placing it on the top of the black orb, letting the blood rain down the circle.
He then nodded and reached out and touched the dark crystal, and it began to glow an eerie green. His eyes changed to match the color of the glowing orb and Sarina's blood that was mingling, both light green and blood red while Sarina watched him warily.
He then began the prophecy,
"A young maiden arrives, one who is fair,
She comes in with a certain air.
Soon all is ravished with fear,
The time of death's love would soon draw near.
Will the maiden rise up and and free all from the chains,
Or will doom reign, and eat the remains.
Find the source, find the light, find the love, find the fight."
The light in the globe died down and he stared at her after delivering her the prophecy.
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Hey lovely readers š
Sorry for the late post, will definitely try to post tomorrow morning as usual. Hope you're like the story, please add to collection to help keep up to date as I post every day. Don't be afraid to leave a comment or review!