Theun POV                                    

"Come in and sit, young one. Let this old granny have a look." -???

"Before I enter, I think it introductions are in order. I am Theun” -Theun

"Oh, why of course. Pardon my impoliteness. My name is Melissa Gressel, you can call me Granny Mel" -Melissa

"You're the famous fortune teller that helped dad during the war. From what I remember, you retired shortly after." -Sandra

"Indeed I did, Princess Alexandra. I only began fortune telling again today." -Melissa

"How do you know it's me? Did you foresee my arrival here? Is that why you're in such an obscure location?" -Sandra

"Sadly, no. I don't use my gift much after retirement but when I did use it last week, I found that my ability was weakened. I see jumbled images in place of clear sights and in a much more obscured way. I thought it might have been because I was related to my granddaughter, that I couldn't see future. I wanted to make sure by setting up a shop and see if my gift would work on others, maybe earn a few coins as well." -Melissa

"I see, you still haven't told me how you knew I was the princess." -Sandra

"Well, as old and senile as I am, I will always be able to find you in a crowd. Your cloak once hid your identity. But once people found out, it became a symbol of your identity instead. Also, using the name Sandra isn't as cunning as you believe." -Melissa

Sandra is in a state of shock and disbelief at the revelation that she was found out. Her ruse had long been uncovered unbeknownst to her.

"People...?" -Sandra

"Yes, almost, if not, everyone in the financial districts knows of your little escapades." -Melissa

The final nail on the coffin leaves Sandra slumped on the ground, mouth agape. Being found out was a large blow to her pride but what was worse was the fact that she didn't know and continued to "sneak" out of the palace. The entire time she visited the financial district, she thought she was incognito when fact was everyone knew exactly who she was and, in a way, played her for a fool.

The old lady urges me into the little tent she erected in her lot. I help Sandra up and get her into the tent. Beside from being a deep purple colour, the tent is just like any other tent I've seen. The interior is dimly lit by a small magic candle that emits a light by does not burn. A low table is placed in the centre of the tent with small cushions to sit on either side. Placing Sandra on one of the cushions to the side, I sit in front of the table facing Granny Mel.

"Rest your hand on this small cushion and look at my eyes." -Melissa

Granny Mel gives me simple instructions to follow and begins to trace her fingers along the crevices of my hand as she stares into my eyes. I can feel her eyes attempting to pierce my body and peer at my soul, a futile attempt however. I never really cared much for the seers of worlds and how Faeha had given them their power, but from what I'm experiencing, she seems to have given them a way to inspect souls and tap into her powers of Fate. Granny Mel’s attempt to see the future has been tampered with ever since my arrival to this world. Her ability to tap into the powers controlled by Faeha cannot help her if Faeha herself has trouble seeing the future. After a few minutes of prodding and staring, she finally gives a reluctant sigh and retracts her hand.

"It would seem my gift has really been taken away. Not only did I not see your future, all i saw was an empty space. I guess there really is no other way." -Melissa

"How much do I pay for your services?" -Theun

"Hmmmm? No, no, no, young one. I could not help you in anyway, so please keep your coins." -Melissa

Seeing her dejected form and sorrowful look in her eyes, I can tell that her loss of foresight isn't the only problem she is facing. She had retired long ago and ceased her activities as a seer for the people. Why suddenly try to read fortunes again? What brought a retired old woman out of her home and compelled her to sell her services again?

"Did something happen to your granddaughter?" -Theun

"Excuse me?" -Melissa

"You appear rather distraught for the loss of a gift you abandoned. You said you didn't use your abilities often, so losing it shouldn't be of great impact. You also said you used it on your granddaughter, so I'm wondering if she is in some trouble." -Theun

"M-My youngest granddaughter, she's been kidnapped. We received a letter last week with her earrings, saying if we don't bring 150 gold pieces to them in 2 weeks’ time, they'll harm her. They also said that if they see the authorities around us, they'll kill Emma." -Melissa

Hearing this, Sandra snaps out of her state of depression and jolts upright, fiery rage burning in her eyes.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"Where are they?" -Sandra

"We don't know. All we do know is that if we tie a red ribbon to our doorknob in the farm, they will find us." -Melissa

"We should set an ambush and arrest these scumbags" -Sandra

"NO! I can't do it. Emma would be in danger. I'd rather sell my farm then to let them touch a single hair of hers." -Melisssa

I can see Sandra fuming at the thought, but Granny Mel is right. If we set up an ambush and they show up without the girl, we won't have the money to show them. It's better to give them the money and arrest them once they return Emma. Tracking them once we see them should be easy enough with a bit of magic and arresting them can be done with just Sandra and I.

"I think we pay them. Before you get angry at me Sandra, listen to my reasons. If we pay them and they give back Emma, we can attack them without them having a hostage. If they don't give Emma back, we can still follow them and attack them while they are complacent. If they didn't bring Emma, they would just lead us to her if we trail them. Not giving them the money may lead to altercations, they might fight with a hostage, they may retaliate since we didn't show proof of the money, or they might not have Emma with them and we won't know her location. It's in everyone's best interest if we simply pay first." -Theun

"As much as I hate giving the scoundrels what they want, what you say is true. Miss Melissa, we will return to the palace and get the money. You still have my father’s gratitude for the war, I'm sure he'd be glad to help." -Sandra

"Thank you." -Melissa

"It's alright. We'll be back in a while. Please hold on until then." -Sandra

??? POV                                    

"I'm sure they were somewhere here." -???

Searching through the crowd of people in the marketplace, I try to spot the couple I was following. If I had kept a closer eye on them I wouldn't have lost them so easily. So much for being a great hunter. THERE! My tracking skills never disappoint. Wait that tent.

"Why were they- no it doesn't matter. All that matters is the coin. Okay, act casual. Casual." -???

Bump

"Sorry sir, I was in a rush" -???

"That's alright..." -Money Bags

"Are you okay?” –Hoodie 2

"I'm fine, thank you. Success" -???

"Excuse me?" -Money Bags

"Nothing sir, have a nice day" -???

“…” -Money Bags

Quickly leave, quickly... Turning a few corners and entering an alley, I turn to see no one is following me. Okay looks clear. Let's see just how much coins I got this time...

"BY THE NINES! Who in their right mind carries this much coins! With this much coins, he must be filthy rich. Maybe I should follow him to his house and steal those clothes. Damn..." -???

This along with all the other coins should be enough to save Emma. Alright let's head to Granny's tent. Maybe Granny personally knows the two... Welp, she doesn't need to know where the money comes from does she.

Walking back through the way I came, I quickly reach the trademark purple tent that belongs to Granny. She sure has a secluded lot this time around, so much for the world renowned seer. Opening the purple tent, I walk in to see Granny packing her things. Did she finally give up on the whole future seeing thing? 

"Hi, Granny" -???

"Desi! You wouldn't believe who just came in!" -Melissa

Oh boy… This doesn’t look like it’s going in the right direction.

"The First Princess, Alexandra! She said she’ll personally help us rescue Emma. She just left and will be back by the evening to help us." -Melissa

"Shit!" -Desilla 

"That's not very nice" -???

I turn to around to see Money Bags and Hoo- Princess Alexandra at the opening of the tent.

"I'm so busted aren't I? How did you even find me?” -Desilla

“Well, I wouldn’t have noticed if you didn’t congratulate yourself right after stealing my pouch. Also, screaming “By the nines” so loudly helps.” -Money Bags

“You did what!?” -Melissa

“Desperate times call for desperate measures?” -Desilla

“I don’t blame you, but you’re going to have to make amends for what you did. I assume the spike in theft is your doing?” -Princess Alexandra

“Yes….” -Desilla