"Why do they call you the Widow Black?" The inquisitive voice of her five-and-a-half-year-old niece, hand clasped tightly in hers, drew a smile from the robed woman. As they navigated the bustling streets of Adylle, many curious eyes lingered on them. The little girl's face was perpetually shrouded beneath her hood, mirroring her aunt's own concealment. Lena, the fortuneteller, had arrived in town to lease a tent for her trade during the upcoming spring festivities.
By the standards of the villagers and town dwellers they encountered on their travels, Lena was an extraordinary beauty. In every new locale they visited, the men would surreptitiously steal glances at her, captivated by her allure. Though she endeavored to obscure her face with the dark blue cowl of her robe, her beauty inevitably became the focus of local gossip and rumors among the women. In the distant eastern towns of Illuthar Continent, where beautiful women were regarded as more treacherous than malevolent monsters at luring away men, Lena's appearance was both a blessing and a curse.
"People tend to fear what they don't understand and resort to labeling it," Allendra offered in response to her own question.
"I am Lena of Harova, and I have no use for such fools and their petty superstitions," Lena retorted with a jest.
"Aunt Lena, you are the strongest woman I've ever known. They could never make you weak," the little girl declared profoundly.
A smile graced Lena's lips, but her mind teemed with a plethora of unspoken thoughts.
" I always yearn for your affection and support, my niece. What about the help I pledged to provide you? What have I ever done for you, Allendra? I am just waiting for your powers to manifest on their own. I had no understanding of psychic magic; hence, I had nothing else to do. Until now, you exhibited no signs of being a psionic, Allendra. Or perhaps I was too blind to perceive. Yes, you are admirably smart, but you look just like any other ordinary little girl, my beautiful niece. What can I do to unlock your powers? Should I entrust you to the old wizard? Or should I teach you the ancient and forbidden language of dark magic? Yes, sometimes when I gaze into your eyes, I sense a dark presence lurking, watching me, and sending shivers down my spine. I yearn to find a way to communicate with the true you and ask these questions directly, to glean some answers from you. But alas, it is not that simple," Lena ruminated to herself, unable to voice her innermost thoughts to Allendra.
With thoughts such as these swirling in her mind, Lena savored a few more sips of her drink before her fortune-telling shift commenced. After much preparation, she had finally secured a tent fit for the occasion, and with the decoration of the work area in the middle of the tent in place, she allowed her first patron to enter.
It was as if the tale of Allendra was about to unfold on that very day, for what had transpired thus far was but a mere prelude. Indeed, the events of that day would prove to be the catalyst for a chain of happenings that would irrevocably alter the life of the witch woman, and more significantly, that of her reticent niece.
In the afternoon, Lena bade her first customer welcome, and her fortune-telling establishment began to fill up, the fairgrounds abuzz with activity and a throng of eager attendees.
"As time can be the balm for many a wound, it is also the greatest trial for those who seek to flee," mused Lena, gazing intently at her golden orb.
"Don't speak such words, child. Why were you fleeing?" inquired the elderly woman seated before her.
Lena blushed, her thoughts straying from the matter at hand, and she seemed to forget the woman's presence entirely. Her recent proclivity for indulging in drink had begun to take its toll, and as she took another sip, a violent bout of coughing overtook her, rendering her unable to stop.
"My aunt speaks of your tale, madam. She claims your spouse has absconded," interjected Allendra, pouring water for her kin.
"What the hell you are babbling, you meddling brat! My husband is naught but an ordinary lumberjack. He returns home every evening and sits idle, a slothful oaf," the old woman scolded, casting a withering gaze in the child's direction.
"That is precisely what I'm endeavoring to convey, ma'am. Your husband has been ensorcelled," retorted Allendra, undeterred by the elder's sharp tongue.
"When you put it thus... I dare say our neighbor's wife might be responsible. She is a practitioner of the dark arts, after all," the woman surmised.
"Allendra, depart from us at once. Go frolic with your peers, be as a shadow, and remember our invisible circle." Lena interjected, her voice tinged with ire. "Forgive me, my lady, but the child can be rather impulsive and foolish at times,"
Silently acquiescing to her aunt's command, Allendra stepped out of the makeshift tent. Lena's demeanor had changed over the past year, and the young girl sensed the heavy burden of her aunt's melancholy. Allendra resolved to spare Lena her incessant inquiries, mindful of the toll they might take.
"Mayhap I should cease my constant questioning of Aunt Lena and steer clear of her while she performs her craft. She frets enough over my future and cannot bear to share her apprehensions with me," she ruminated. "But for now, I beseech Orion, may the Widow Black of Harova find solace and triumph in her divinations."
With her hands tucked within the folds of her robes, Allendra began to pace a small circle, surveying her surroundings. They had arrived at the Adylle Fairgrounds, one of many hamlets nestled amid the vast plains of South Galantry. A modest settlement perched atop a rolling hill, it was surrounded by fields of corn, sunflowers, and beet, stretching out as far as the eye could see. As winter ceded to spring, the Shining Spring Festivals had begun, painting the land with a riot of colors.
Allendra reveled in this season, as it afforded her the chance to mingle with the townsfolk. Her favorite pastime was to observe strangers from a distance, to overhear their conversations and conjecture on their lives and dreams. She had created this game herself, for she found other children to be dim-witted and tiresome. Preferring solitude, Allendra had devised various games to amuse herself, and had grown accustomed to talking to herself.
Allendra shut her eyes and twirled around, selecting one of the numerous stalls that lined up among the wagons and tents at the fairgrounds. It was an effortless decision. She turned to the bickering voices and opened her eyes. A diminutive, scrawny man with a bundle on his shoulder and an aged dwarf, whose metal-studded leather apron reached his ankles, stood before her. The two's heated exchange and their unique appearances revealed to Allendra that she was in the presence of a blacksmith dwarf and a humble halfling.
"Give back that ring now, halfling! I saw you, swearing on my bushy beard!" the dwarf's voice boomed, attracting a crowd around them.
"What ring? They're all there in their booth. You're mistaken," the halfling retorted, winking amusingly, his eyebrows dancing.
Seeing the funny facial expressions of the halfling, Allendra stifled a giggle, but then her cheeks flushed as though she had committed a shameful act.
The dwarf's bushy eyebrows furrowed in suspicion. "It may be a bracelet, then. You've pilfered something from me, of that I'm certain. I swore on my beard!"
As the commotion grew, a curious throng began to gather around them. The halfling tried to calm the dwarf's growing ire. "Ah, but if it's a bracelet you're missing, friend, there was one I saw fall earlier. I swear on my mother's pipe that I didn't lay a finger on it."
He pointed towards Allendra standing nearby, "Ask her, if you don't believe me. She was the one who picked it up. Although, not in the manner you might think," he said with a sly wink, his expressive eyebrows dancing apart.
The girl in question blushed, her eyes wide with surprise. "Me?" she whispered, almost too quietly to hear.
"Yes, you. You have no reason to fear, my dear. Obviously, you're holding the bracelet that rolled off the counter, just to give it to the rightful owner, the dwarf," the halfling said, striding towards her. He was scarcely taller than Allendra, who stood only three and a half feet tall.
Allendra's fists involuntarily balled up behind her back, as if she were trying to conceal something.
For some inexplicable reason, she felt drawn to the halfling at first sight. Although she had previously encountered his race, this halfling was slender but subtle, much like her, and certainly more nimble than his counterparts, who were usually corpulent and lumbering. Ignoring the dwarf, the halfling stretched out his hand from behind and brushed the bracelet against her back. Without a second thought, Allendra joined the game, feigning a step back, throwing her hands up, and snatching the bracelet.
"Aye, master dwarf, your bracelet had rolled over yonder. I had retrieved it," spoke the girl, her voice innocent and sweet as she offered forth the bracelet.
The dwarven blacksmith regarded them both with suspicion, his hand stroking his beard. Yet he could not resist the guileless gaze of the little one with raven locks and a face shrouded by her hood. At last, he forced a smile.
"This time, halfling, thou art free to pass," he grumbled. "But I shall keep mine eye on thee." With a pat on the girl's head and a copper coin pressed into her palm, the dwarf walked away.
"Paliborn Quickhand, at thy service, sir. I am ever ready to aid," the halfling trilled, her voice mirthful and bright.
Those who had gathered round, hoping for a confrontation, slunk back to their tasks, disappointed.
"Thank thee kindly, sweetling. I am in debt to you," Paliborn said, his smile warm and genuine as he looked upon Allendra.
"Mine aunt forbid me to converse with strangers," Allendra replied demurely.
"I am no stranger, lass. I have given you my name. You can call me Pal, if it please thee."
The girl merely nodded.
"You were watching us, were thou not?" Paliborn said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Aye. The dwarf proved quicker and more cautious than expected," Allendra admitted.
"No one can outpace me, lass. Rusty though I may be, not any dwarf could best me in this life or the next."
With a flourish, Paliborn drew a ring from his pocket and held it out to Allendra.
"I would gift this to you, if you wouldt but tell me thy name."
"Nay, I accept no bribes. Gifts are forbidden, as my aunt had decreed."
"Your aunt seems a strict taskmaster," Paliborn chuckled. "And how old are you, if that be not also forbidden knowledge?"
"I am five and a half," Allendra replied, holding up her fingers to demonstrate.
"Aye, 'tis a hard world for those of us who are small. We are judged not by our stature, but by what lies within," Paliborn said, his eyes softening as he regarded the girl. "I sensed that spirit within you, kiddo."
"I am no child, Mr. Pal. You may call me Eli," she replied firmly, turning to gaze upon the tent.
"'Eli' it is then. Shall we venture forth?" Paliborn asked, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of a circle drawn upon the ground.
"I cannot leave the circle," Allendra replied.
"The circle? What circle?" Paliborn inquired.
"I am tasked with safeguarding my aunt. I cannot stray further than a hundred feet from her, and perhaps a bit more."
"Ah, I see. You are protecting your aunt. But from what?" Paliborn probed, curiosity piqued.
"You ask too many questions. I do not like it," Allendra protested, taking a step toward the tent.
"My apologies, I was merely testing you. I wished to observe how you respond to strangers," Paliborn explained, his hands raised in a gesture of surrender.
Allendra stopped in her tracks, looking up at Pal with questioning eyes. Her hazel irises gleamed in the sunlight.
As if conceding a point, Paliborn slowly raised his arms in the air, revealing a yellow leaf, wilted and withered, plucked from the boughs of a great sycamore tree.
"You are one of them," Allendra exclaimed, her pupils dilating with excitement.
Pal nodded, a proud grin spreading across his face.
"Why did you not say so earlier? I knew it all along. I felt that you were trustworthy. But these rules...there are far too many," Allendra lamented.
"My dear old friend tasked me with checking up on you. Honestly, I expected to find a bumbling simpleton. I planned to offer some funds and advice, then be on my way... but you surprised me, Eli."
The halfling, with his olive eyes and ragged black curly and fluffy hair falling over his shoulder, was greeted with a smile by the girl in dark blue robes.
"You don't look like a halfling at all," she said in surprise.
"Nothing escapes from your careful eyes. I consider that a compliment. May I share a secret with you?" Paliborn asked, stepping closer.
"Of course," Allendra replied.
"I am a quarter-half, a quarter gnome, a quarter elf, and a quarter human," Paliborn declared proudly, smiling vainly.
"How could that be real? No such thing. It's either half or full. That would be a mutation," Allendra exclaimed, her eyes widening in amazement.
"Look at those grown-up words. Let's just say I'm the only one of my kind and move on. I don't care anymore because everyone calls me a halfling. Who takes them too seriously?" Paliborn replied dismissively.
"Very well," Allendra said, falling back into her thoughts.
Paliborn noticed Allendra's interest waning and sensed dark thoughts creeping in. He stretched the strings of his bundle with his hands, trying to break the tension.
"So where is your aunt? I have a few things to say to her. Then I have to go on my way."
"She's in the tent. Pal, could you stay a little longer?" Allendra asked hopefully.
"Perhaps for dinner, as I am quite hungry," Paliborn replied.
"But it's just past noon," Allendra observed.
"Then, shall we take a stroll around the fair until the end of the afternoon? By then, your aunt's work will be done," Paliborn suggested.
"That sounds lovely, but I can't leave the circle," Allendra said regretfully.
"I inquired of our anold man," began Paliborn, "and he declared that the circle can reach beyond four hundred, perchance even five hundred feet in span. Its size augments with age. And how old art thou, Eli? Five and a half summers? Let us multiply and add…"
"Three hundred and thirty, three hundred and sixty," Allendra interrupted, her eyes alight with excitement.
"Add or subtract sixty-five, mayhap," Paliborn corrected himself, his mind racing with calculations.
"All right," Allendra said, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"Anyway, no circle needed when I'm around to protect you."
"Ok." she replied.
"Well, then, where shall we venture, Eli?" Paliborn asked, changing the subject. "This is thy homeland, is it not? Lead us thither."
"I am not native," Allendra replied. "We have tarried here but three weeks. We linger not long in any place."
"Complain not, Eli," Paliborn chided, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "What a splendid environment. Didn't you enjoy thy stay here? Would you remain if bid to do so?"
Allendra pondered the question for a moment, as they walked together towards the bustling crowd, the clamor of the marketplace growing louder with each step. The idea of settling down somewhere seemed foreign to her, and she struggled to put her thoughts into words.
"I know not," she finally replied.
"You shall know when the time comes, and not a moment before," Paliborn replied, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Embrace thy nomadic life, Eli. For instance, I consider the rock on which I lay my head to be my abode." He gestured towards a nearby vendor's cart. "Look at the size of those broccolis! They're colossal!"
"They're not broccolis, they are cauliflowers, you dolt," Allendra giggled. "What wouldy you like to witness?"
"A juggler, an acrobat, or perchance a magician," Paliborn replied eagerly. "I adore conjurers and their ilk."
Allendra's expression soured slightly. "There are few magicians to be found here. And even if there were, my aunt forbids me from mingling with such folk. But there is a duo, Acrobat June and Juggler Jolie, who perform here. Come, let us seek them out."
"Ah, there is naught greater than true magic," Paliborn mused, his eyes glimmering with memories. "Once, I traveled with a wizard. It did not end well for the deceased, but he was a most fascinating fellow. Was it Pharrun or Pharruk or something of the sort? I cannot recall. I suppose my time draws near."
Allendra inquired, "How many years do you count in your existence, Pal?"
Paliborn answered with a question, "What age does my appearance betray?"
"If you were a human, I'd say twenty-five, thirty years, at most," replied Allendra.
Palibron mused, "Am I that decrepit, little fair lady?"
Allendra chuckled, "Come now, reveal your true age."
Paliborn evaded, "Many and more than you could fathom."
Allendra persisted, "How old are you, truly?"
Paliborn still avoided, "More than you could ever count, Eli."
Allendra grinned. "I wager I can count higher than you think."
Paliborn chuckled. "I bet you can, a little in the middle fair lady. But let us not dwell on my age, but rather on the marvels before us."
With that, he took Allendra's hand and led her through the throngs of people towards the stage, where a couple of skilled acrobats had gathered to perform their feats of agility and daring.