The world was jam packed with people, smells, and animals. Her sister buzzed with excitement beside her, eager to taste, touch, smell everything the market offered. They wandered past stalls and shrines, pausing to study the flags and decorations coating every surface.

The music drew Kalani to festive street corners. Flute players, handheld drums, a variety of string instruments played in perfect harmony. The melody floated over the pockets of people dancing along. Osana swayed her hands and stomped her feet, even grabbing her hand to swing her body in time. But her feet were heavy, sluggish and awkward. Despite the encouragement of the onlookers her face grew warm. Once the song ended, she pulled her sister along, trying to distance herself from her pathetic display. It was then that Osana paused, drawing her attention to a black panther weaving through the crowd. A red ruby decorated his forehead.

“Is that who I think it is?” she whispered. “He’s so pretty, do you think he’ll let me pat him? What do you think the red patch feels like?”

“Do not dare.” She hissed back. “Papa was quite clear. We do not engage with the panther the mortals named Eclipse.”

“But his coat is so smooth…”

“No, his Mage is off limits to us, thus so is he. It’s Papa’s command.”

“It sucks to come all this way, and we can’t even play with a living Guardian.”

“Look, there’s other Guardians for you to play with.” While Eclipse was off on his own, there were other exotic creatures relaxing near a small shrine with statues of maidens and flowers. A long moss colour boa curled around the base, nodding as a vibrant pink bird flapped their wings over the sand.

“What if they don’t like me?” she whispered back.

She watched them from a far, all of them have a mark from the gods. Each with a purpose of great importance. They sat for millennium on their shelf waiting for the day the great Oracle awakened them. She knew they have better things to do than be poked and prodded by her sister.

She wrung her hands, looking sideways at the crowds. Despite reading everything she could, it felt different from where they stood. She imagined the hundreds of ways she could solve their problems. How they would greet her, accept her and be in awe of her knowledge. But now, in the thick of it, her brain was at a loss. Her sister glanced to her, and Kelani licked her lips, in the determined way she did when she found an ancient riddle to solve.

“We should take a walk around and see if there is anyone who needs our help.”

The only way to return home was to finish their mission. The only way to finish was to start.

“Split up? Going alone?”

“Only for a little while, how about we meet there at the statue at sunset?”

Beside them was a carved monument dedicated to Alma. A tall chalice carved in stone with silver and ivory accents. Beautiful women adorned the base, their contorted bodies holding the chalice high about them. She liked how it paid tribute to Alma’s feminine side. The ever-flowing chalice of life and birth. It was a fitting place for them to start their adventure.

An adventure like the myths she read. A brave hero facing unknown odds to save the day. Perils, challenges, strange encounters awaited her. All she had to do was fine someone. Anyone. She consulted Jhee again, finding a map to the Temple and headed there. The festival was well underway, everyone who wanted anything would be in line to visit the Oracle. All she had to do was listen to their prayers and select the best one. This is easier than I thought.

She spied the monolithic statutes jutting from the canyon wall. The marble angels beckoned her closer. The windows with their worn ledges had sheer silky fabric blowing in the breeze. Somewhere inside large fires burned, producing the grey smoke twisting from the roof into the sky. She clutched the book under her arm, reaching the end of a snake like line leading to the entrance steps. On either side, tall and slender fountains gushed bubbling water into flower petal basins. People from all walks of life stood patiently in single file.

She brushed by some, the less attentive ones, and grazed their arms. In a heartbeat her magic made contact, snaking through them, and connecting her mind to theirs. Their thoughts boomed in her head, some in dialects her brain had to translate. They practiced their prayers for the Oracle, and she listened. A hairy merchant wanted confirmation his ship's cargo would arrive safely. A mother wished good health for her family. A widower with his toddler strapped to his back, thought of his late wife, and wished she was in Paradise with her sisters.

None of these will do. She pursed her lips, tapping her book with her fingers.

She scurried further up the line, hoping to find a more reasonable target. She grew nearer to the Temple entrance, and saw the stone throne adorned with flowers. Sitting upon it was a short woman sitting hunched over with her hands resting on her lap. It had to be her, the Oracle. Only the gods on the pantheon we’re granted to speak through her. What would she give to have a conversation with such a mortal. But she couldn’t, not yet. Once she proved herself, then she could have all the things she desperately wanted. She focused on a group of young Mages, dressed in their academic robes when a familiar voice yelled at her.

“Out of the way!”

Frenzied bleating erupted as a dust plume raced towards her, knocking people out of the way. People shouted, the animals thundered, and in the chaos, she noticed her sister riding the lead sheep. She screamed to her, waving one hand in the air while the other hand gripped the curved horns.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“I told you not to—”

Osana’s grin washed away as she lost complete control. The onlookers abandoned their post, leaving her alone in the road to face the herd. She shielded herself, hiding behind her beloved book. Her mind went blank, her body froze, and the hooves raced closer.

"Move!" another voice shouted.

A force knocked her sideways and sends her tumbling over the fountain’s rim. The cool water swirled around her; she trembled as the whooshing sound rolled in her ears. Then wet slippery fingers wrapped around her wrist and yanked her upwards.

She gulped as fresh air flooded her lungs. She hugged the fountain’s edge and came face to face with her hero. She was younger than she thought. With a tawny complexion and curly auburn hair tied behind her neck. She held Kelani’s hand running her finger over her knuckles. Warm magic fluttered over the young woman’s skin.

“Are you alright?”

The Mage’s magic was soothing, and it anchored her back to the present. She wore red school robes, with a crest sewn into it. She turned to Jhee for information, but it was gone.

“My book!”

Staring at her from the bottom of the clear pool was Jhee. Her life’s work, thousands of hours of painstakingly dictating every fact and figure. The cramped hands from drawing the intricate illustrations in the dim candlelight. Every ounce of her magic dripped into every page. No. No, no.

Pushing past the nausea, she reached through the bubbles and pulled it free. The silver shimmered as the droplets rolled over the surface. The text was darker, more subdued than before. Water dripped from the stitched binding.

“Is your book ruined?”

It was a soppy mess, the pages stuck together in one large clump. The letters and glyphs ran together. It was impossible to read anything. At least the illustration of a plant was still intact, albeit more waterlogged.

“I had one of my schoolbooks fall into a watering hole in second year. I’m sure if you leave it out to dry, it’ll be okay. It's what I did, it turned out fine. A bit wrinkly but fine.”

She didn’t want a wrinkly book. She wanted her pretty, pristine book of All Knowledge and Advice. Her bestiary, her recipes, her guides to plants, to holy days, and her maps. She wanted the list of important historical events and people at her fingertips. And most importantly she wanted it to look like how it used to be; readable. But it wasn’t the Mage’s fault, she had prevented her from being trampled. Osana, on the other hand, would need a talking too.

“This is a minor setback. But nonetheless, I will persist. Thank you for saving me.”

The girl smiled and her shoulders relaxed. It was pleasant to see the Oath living in real time. A Mage was to assist those in need; and she was never so grateful for someone obeying Papa’s command.

“Saule!” A male teen in a green uniform called. “Where were you, we have to go. Our challenge is soon.”

“Now? I thought I had more time?”

Saule plucked a bundle of food and a collar from the ground at her feet. She glanced at the line then the items she carried. She was so close, only about twenty people left and it would be her turn.

“Someone didn’t show up so one team got disqualified. So, our match got pushed up. You know Bryden will lose his mind if you’re a no show too.”

“But…”

She couldn’t bear the frown on the girl’s face. She must’ve been in line for hours. Whatever she wanted must have been of great importance.

“How about I give your offering to the Oracle?”

“Really?”

“Sure, you were so nice to help me from those awful creatures, it’s the least I can do. Go with your friend I’ll make sure Grandmother gets your gift.”

“Oh, thank you! Thank you so much!”

She handed her the offerings with gratitude before dashing off with her friend. Once she was gone, Kelani dipped behind a busy tent and snapped Jhee away with a pang of regret. I’ll fix you; I promise. When she was sure no one was looking she planted her feet in the warm sand and slowed her heartrate. Channeling her magic flowing through her she began to transform. It started in her toes, the coldness took over, making them numb to the hot ground. It climbed her body, and as it did, she felt herself separating from the surroundings. Her skin colour became muted, until it was beyond mortal sight.

She climbed the steps adorned with flower petals. But at the top she stopped in her tracks. A temple Maiden beside the Oracle stared at her. Kalani met her honey eyes, and it made her mouth go dry. It had to be her imagination. How else would she explain a mortal seeing past her enchantment. But this Maiden stared directly at her. There was no accusations or puzzlement in her gaze. It was as plain and any ordinary event. But it wasn’t ordinary, this woman saw into the celestial realm.

She took a step further, testing the limits of her freedom. But she said nothing. She couldn’t read the thoughts crossing over her face. When the old lady motioned for her, she snapped to life and carried out her task. Kalani hurried past approaching the table where the other offerings were placed. The interaction lingered like a tummy ache. Did she have the gift? Impossible. Only one oracle is chosen at a time.

The table was overflowing with offerings. Food, jewelry, ceramic pots, everything from gold to most treasured ordinary possessions. Saule probably expected her to wait in line, but why would she use the Oracle when she had direct access? She untied the bundle of cloth, revealing a fruity spice bread. It smelled delicious. It was too irresistible; she ripped a corner of the loaf and stuffed the piece in her mouth.

The flavor exploded over her tongue, the spice, raisins and dates were a tasty combination. She turned to the collar. It was well worn, and the leather was fraying at the edges. It must’ve belonged to an old pet; she saw the damage to the holes as the animal’s neck grew wider.

She held it tight in her hand, her magic reached out and contacted the energy field surrounding it. It started with flickers of light, then muted coloured objects. Everything switched into focus as the last moments of the animal played in front of her eyes. She saw Saule at an isolated mountain path. Flickering flames danced on the top of her staff. But the angle of the image was lower, the animal must’ve been medium sized. After her training they descend over the narrow path, but the image shook. Her head spun as the scene rattled and tumbled. The next few moments were of Saule brushing the fur on its head. There was a warm hearth next to them. Finally, the scene went dark.

She was there till the end.

She placed the collar on the table, saying a prayer for his soul. Telling him his girl didn’t forget him and she loved him. She wished him peace, then made the sign of the Gods before leaving the offering next to it.

“What a lovely girl,” Kelani whispered. “One good deed deserves another.”