> An Iteri can see who you are. They can understand the very ground we walk on, understanding the reason for things. That’s why they’re all gone. Knowledge brought us here, and it can take it all away.
Elena stood and stared at the tree as if a fairytale had come to life before her. Of all the stories she read, the myths and stories that parents told little kids, her favorites were the ones that had this element of fantastical. The ones that stood out in her mind were the ones that involved castles, knights, festivals, and magic. Standing opposite of her, mere feet from her, was the symbol of the fantastical.
Maybe a witch lived here? Maybe she’d have a quest, or offer special insight into Elena’s grand destiny. It didn’t matter, this tree, with the streamers, lanterns, and talismans, it gave her a sense of need, of hope, and of magic.
“It’s like a fairy tale,” Elena finally said, looking back to William who just stood there, eying the decorations as if they’d fall from the tree and attack them.
“It’s okay,” he said. He walked beside her and motioned to the cottage connected to the tree. “You think they’re home?”
Elena quickened her pace. She walked to the door and saw that it was made of the same type of old, hardened wood one might expect a cottage to have. The top of the door was a small window in a half circle of semi-translucent glass. She pressed her hands to the sides of her head, brushed her long hair out of the way, and peered inside.
“The lights are on, and I think someone’s inside.”
Elena smiled at William again, ready to go inside, but he didn’t look too pleased.
“We don’t know who’s in there,” he said, “it could be anyone, the Necromancer, or someone else.”
Elena turned to him, hands raised, and motioned to the door. “All the more reason to go inside. If he’s here, then that means the search is over. If we found him, I don’t have to search anymore. It’s a short search, but still. It’s something.”
She eyed William who seemed uncertain, cautious, somewhat afraid. It was like he didn’t like the idea of trees in the woods or something. Finally, she turned and tried for the door. Surprisingly, it was open. “Come on.”
William looked around one last time, looking at the talismans, some with writing that said, “welcome”, others that said “fortune teller”. Then, he followed her.
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Inside, a kindly elderly woman set her tea on the circular table in the back of the cramped room. She didn’t react to them, nor seemed to mind that they’d made themselves welcome. Wrapped in blanket upon a blanket, and blues upon yellows, upon reds and greens, she looked like a wanderer. Her dark skin had paled with age, and she wore long hooped earrings, a necklace, and a scarf wrapped around her head.
Elena finally spoke, and asked, “what’s your name, ma’am?” She didn’t immediately get a reply, as the woman on the other side of the table sipped her steaming hot tea that smelled of lavender and raspberries.
When she did reply, she said, “I’m the Royal Tree. I’ve been waiting for you.”
“The Royal Tree isn’t the tree?” Asked Elena, unsure if her question was dumb.
The woman laughed a gentle laugh. “Oh my yes, it is. I am the Royal Tree, as is the location.”
William, from behind Elena, thinks this is absurd, that the woman is crazy. He looks at the talismans strewn across the room.
Moving forward, Elena, unable to hide her eagerness, sat in the chair in front of the Royal Tree. She asked, “can you tell me my fortune?” She puts her hand forward, hoping that it was the type that did palm readings, like the ones she read about.
The elderly woman smiled, “I’ll need something in return.”
Elena withered, and replied, “Oh, I don’t have any money.”
William then chimes in from the back, “I don’t have any either. We just want to know if you saw someone in a dark robe, pale, sickly, might’ve had a bone necklace?”
The woman isn’t fazed and laughs lightly. “I don’t want money, I just want to know if the All Souls Festival is happening this year. With the moon as it is, I was afraid the church would’ve canceled it. I just want to know if it’s still happening.”
Elena became more excited and looked to William for answers. As if reading her mind, he replies, “that’s an odd question, but, yes, the festival is still happening.”
“I’ve always wanted to go,” Elena replied. “But my family is very traditional, and they believe the holiday is sinful.”
“Well, it looks like I’ll be going this year,” the Royal Tree replies. “Maybe I’ll see you, too. Enough of that, I’ll tell you your fortune.”
Elena then thrusts her hand forward again, but the older woman shakes her head. “No, no. I don’t need anything like that. I just need to get a look at you.” She then focuses her eyes on Elena. While this woman appeared old and frail, her eyes shone with the strength and vigor of someone half her age.
“Ah, yes. You have a grand destiny shrouded in darkness as deep as the darkest night, but it will soon be revealed with the coming dawn.”
William scoffs again, clearly thinking this is pandering nonsense.
But, the old woman continues. “I see your path leading you to a hungry ghost. You will know a man with a shadow as large as the night there.”
William, unable to take it any longer, then asks her directly. “Do you actually know anything? About the Necromancer? Have you seen anyone matching the description?”
“I see what I see.” She smiled again as if looking at a child.
William, as if done with the situation, begins to leave. Elena pulls away and asks William if he wants his fortune read, but he keeps walking.