Dreaming of Sharmarli…

Good grief. Where do I even begin with the Holy City? But like I said before – I’ll try to do the whole damn place justice with my words!

“I’ve heard so many stories about Sharmarli…” Anna muses out loud, her eyes sparkling with wonder. “Mostly from travellers and pilgrims visiting the Chantry. They say it’s a wonderful place!”

“You’ve never been there before, right?”

“Not yet, Arisa. I’ve lived here all my life. At least, for the entirety of the life I’ve known.”

“Oh, right…”

“Mom adopted me when I was… ten? And I never got to meet my Second Mom… she passed away before I began my life with the Order of Selene.”

“Lady Claire, the Executor… right? I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, Arisa. She saved my life. For that… I’m forever grateful. Anyway, the Holy City?

“Right, of course! You’re in for a treat if it’s your first time, then!” I tease, my gloved fingers gently straddling luscious locks of purple hair. “Sharmarli’s quite the place to be!”

“But are the stories true, though?” Anna asks sweetly as I smile reverently at her. “I’ve heard so many things about the Holy City over the years…”

“Which stories, you mean? The streets aren’t paved with gold, if that’s what you’re asking! Only some of them. It’s mostly marble, stone, and concrete!”

“Oh, yes! That’s indeed one of the stories! But I figured as much. I mean, umm… a golden city wouldn’t make any sense at all. But is the Holy City really as big and beautiful as people say it is?”

“Damn right! It’s quite unlike Light’s Hope! It’s something more akin to the interior of our Chantry! You’d need a map and sturdy legs to get anywhere in that damn place. It’s huge! And there are so many places to visit and see…”

“Give me some examples, won’t you?” Anna asks idly as she extends a hand to me, gently caressing my cheek. “Anything would be nice!”

“Hmm… there’s a huge Shopping District with shops and stalls selling everything you could ever think of!” I exclaim with girlish glee. “Plenty of restaurants and street carts around every corner selling all manner tasty food from all over Nisha too!”

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“Oh my!”

“There are cosy bookstores and cafes… and luxury apartments! Oh, and before I forget… big chapels in each district for folks to gather and pray.”

“That’s really nice… I’d love to visit and pray in one of those chapels, or spend an afternoon at a bookstore and cafe! But then, umm…”

“Yeah. My Prophecy. I know, I know! Fucking demons, am I right!?” I exclaim, hamming it up as she covers her mouth and giggles. “Real shame the bastards don’t like lurking in these nice comfy places. If only they’d spare a thought for us, huh?”

“Not everyone’s as kind and considerate as you, Arisa…” Anna quips, smiling sweetly. “If only they would!”

“Woah, woah, woah! Was that sarcasm!?”

“Maybe? Maybe not! I’ve been paying attention and learning from the best!”

“That sounds about right. I’m your one and only, after all…” I answer warmly as I kiss Anna on her forehead. “Say it ain’t so!”

“I won’t because it’s true! Oh! You’ve met the Oracle, right? What was she like?”

“Good question. I met her, yeah. She’s…”

I pause momentarily, cupping my chin thoughtfully while I consider what to say about the Oracle, Lady Nhaka Mezalune. She who was ancient, when the world was young… even if she looks like, well… a little girl. Being ageless does that, I suppose. Regardless of that detail, she’s a Conjurer with few rivals, being the one who summoned me here, piercing the veil between worlds to do so. She also governs the Holy City from the Palace of Lights, guided by many Advisors over the centuries, as well as her own eyes that carry within them, the sacred power of a Seer to see the future, of what could be.

Good grief. I remember our first meeting, one timeline ago. It was certainly something! Definitely wasn’t what I expected from someone with a title like that. But she’s wise beyond years… powerful beyond measure as the arbiter of fate and Prophecy. It is she who divines the paths of Heroes past and present alike, that they might make the world of Nisha a better place.

I just wonder what she’ll think of me, coming to her as who I am right now. If anything… seeing the look on her face and hearing what she’ll say, turns this fated meeting of ours into something I’m really looking forward to! Just a little… or not! Who am I kidding? I’m pretty excited about this, to be honest!

“Lady Mezalune’s wise beyond her years. Like Lady Iris, in a way…” I explain to Anna as I stop cupping my chin. “But also, not really! She’s kinda… well… crazy. Nah. I wouldn’t use that word. Something like ‘quirky’ would be a better fit!”

“How so?”

“She’s not one to stand on ceremony, that’s for sure! Doesn’t mince her words either, and she’s really, really energetic!”

“How energetic are we talking?”

“Like a kid hopped up on sugar!”

“Ahh…”

“Oh, and she likes hugging people when she’s happy! Loves it!”

“I don’t mind a hug or two…”

“Heh. You’re gonna love her, then!”

“Hopefully!” Anna exclaims sweetly, only to have her cheeks suddenly blush a bright red while she presses a hand on her cheek. “Oh! And umm… also, in Sharmarli…”

Oho! Her cheeks are really, really red right now! Redder than all those times we kissed, as well as all those little intimate moments between us, I reckon! And with that in mind… I think I know who she’s asking about! There’s only one person in the entire Holy City who can possibly get her so smitten…

Good grief. It’s not gonna be a fun subject to talk about while we’re relaxing the afternoon away! But Anna needs to know what I know, if we’re gonna do this right together in this new timeline of ours. That Rinnah willing… we’ll save those we can yet save.