Sapphyre

Chapter 3

Chapter 3The smell of baking biscuits and frying bacon stirs both Skken and Ashcon awake. The sun is just making its way over the horizon as the companions finish dressing for the coming day. “So what's the plan Ashcon?” Skken impatiently inquires.

Ashcon sits on the edge of the cot and sighs, “Let's set a simple trap for her.” He stands up and paces in short steps with a devious look on his face. “We will pose to leave the inn for a bit in search of a tradesman and have her tend to our room.”

Skken smiles slightly with his head down as he polishes Grizzclaw, his prized saber, which has been blessed by the Star Gods. “So we come back, catch her in the room, grab her and go?”

“No, I think we'll question her here. And be nice,” Ashcon chides. “Don't scare her too much.” Then he looks around the room and walks toward the small bedside table. Ashcon reaches down, withdraws the smaller of the two daggers from his left boot and places it on the table beside his cot. He puts his hand upon the dagger and closes his eyes. A rune in the shape of a horn on his left calf shines green and then fades, as Ashcon withdraws his hand. “We'll know when she's in the room. Come, let's eat,” states Ashcon as he walks briskly to the door.

They are sitting at a table for two when Sapphyre brings water and bows slightly. “Girl,” inquires Ashcon. “Is there a leatherworker in this town by chance? My mate lost his saddle and we're hoping to replace it as soon as possible.”

Sapphyre nods yes in response. “His shop is on the other side of town by the well.”

“Thank you,” says Ashcon, and waves his hand, shooing her away. “Bring us hot food.”

“A saddle?” whispers Skken, grinning slightly.

“Makes sense. She doesn't need to know you ride bareback.”

Sapphyre returns to the table with rashers of bacon and steaming hot biscuits with gobs of butter. She puts the plate between the two men and Ashcon removes a two-kendra coin from his purse, holds it between his fingers, and hands it to her. “We are staying another night. When we are gone, go to our quarters. There are leggings that need cleaning and I want them done by this evening.” Sapphyre nods, takes the coin from the fingers of Ashcon and hurries away.

Sapphyre can't believe her luck and she smiles as she patiently waits for them to leave the inn so she can go their room and take a look around. She watches as they exit and approach the stables. She waits until she sees the men retrieve their horses and start toward the other side of town before she runs up the stairs to their room.

She puts the key in the lock, turns it until she hears the familiar click, and opens the door with a sense of foreboding. She giggles to herself quietly, realizing she has nothing to be nervous about, as she was invited after all. She eyes some dirty leggings on the floor as she closes the door behind her. Glancing around the room she spots a wide-brimmed black hat upon the mantle, a few belts on the floor, empty glasses by the bed and a dagger on the bedside table. The dagger has a slight green hue to it and Sapphyre looks at it wide-eyed, inquisitively reaching to grab it. As she twirls it in her hand, on the street below, Ashcon glances Skken as he turns his horse around and says, “She's in the room.”

Sapphyre slips the dagger out of the scabbard and sits down on the edge of the bed. The weapon itself is nothing special, with a clean, sharp blade, yet it definitely has some magic quality to it. Sapphyre is looking down at the blade, wishing she had the ability to tell what type of spell enchants it, when the door suddenly opens and Skken and Ashcon enter quickly and close the door quietly behind them. Sapphyre jumps up, startled. Ashcon smiles a toothy smile, holds up his hands to his shoulders, and says, “Sorry to surprise you. Please.” He gestures with his hands to the chair beside the bed. “Sit down.”

Sapphyre sits down as Skken moves toward her. He holds his huge right hand out and eyes the dagger still in her grasp. She hands the dagger to Skken without a word and places her hands on her lap with her head down toward her chest.

Ashcon takes the seat opposite her and Skken retreats to the other side of the room where he lights the two small torches affixed to the wall. “What is your name?” inquires Ashcon.

“I didn't do anything wrong!” replies Sapphyre defensively. “You told me to come here. I'm sorry I touched the dagger. Please don't tell Ornik.” Tears start to form in her eyes.

Ashcon holds up his hand and says, “I'm not telling anyone anything, and you're right, you did nothing wrong.” Sapphyre relaxes a little in her chair and Ashcon continues. “I just have a few questions I need to ask you. Will that be ok?”

Sapphyre nods slowly.

“What is your name?” inquires Ashcon once again.

“What's yours?” she replies quickly.

“Ashcon,” he says. “That is Skken.” He points in his direction.

“Sapphyre,” she responds.

“Where are you from, Sapphyre?” asks Ashcon.

“Here and there. I've been here for over two winters, so now I say I'm from here.”

Ashcon, not known to be a patient man when he is seeking information, activates a rune above his left eyebrow that glows bright orange in the shape of a single flame. While it's glowing, the two torches that Skken lit earlier burn brighter and illuminate the entire room. Ashcon deactivates the rune and the light returns to its normal state. His attention is focused on Sapphyre's eyes. She is staring in awe at the area of his Sun Rune, which affirms their suspicions of her ability to see the markings. Fazed by this, Ashcon rises from his chair and turns to face Skken. Skken nods and Ashcon walks toward the door, activates his rune of warding, and then returns to sit down facing Sapphyre.

“Please tell me exactly what you saw. Both now and downstairs last night.” He looks at her and continues. “It's very important. Please, don't be afraid.”

Sapphyre raises her head and glances across the table. “I saw a tattoo of a flame above your left eye. And last night I saw a tattoo of an eye on your neck when you threw winning rolls,” she replies honestly.

“Thank you for being so forthright.” He stands up, pushes his chair in and continues. “They are called runes, not tattoos. Skken can see them, and occasionally I run into another who has the ability. But never one so young and not in quite a long time.” Skken walks toward Ashcon holding up his hands, apparently thinking that Ashcon is giving up too much information. Ashcon nods and gestures for Skken to remain where he is.

“Have you ever met any magic users before?” asks Ashcon.

“The inn is right off the main road. Yes, I've seen magic users before.”

“Do you notice anything about them like you do about me?”

Sapphyre pauses. Her eyes creased, she ponders the question. “No,” she replies softly, not wanting to reveal her ability to detect auras. Then she attempts to distract them with a bold question. “Where are you from?” Sapphyre asks.

Ashcon looks at her. Amused, he smiles and replies, “I come from a town a few hundred leagues to the northwest of here.” He glances at Skken and continues, “Sapphyre, we need to find out why you can see my runes.”

Sapphyre looks up and back and forth between the two men. Ashcon stands up and turns to Sapphyre. “Skken and I need to talk privately.” He holds up both of his hands, palms out toward Sapphyre, and moves them in a circular clockwise motion. Small orbs glow a faint blue on each palm. As he puts his hands back down to his sides and turns toward Skken, Sapphyre realizes she can no longer hear the men, though they are less than four feet away. Sapphyre utters her name out loud and, relieved to hear her own voice, sits back and watches the conversation she can't hear.

Skken turns to Ashcon. “Is she your seeker?”

Ashcon moves his head sideways. “I don't know but we obviously need to find out. We can't take her to the temple without a summons.”

Skken replies, “Maybe this is an exception. To confirm your seeker.”

Ashcon interrupts. “There is never enough reason to attempt to enter the temple without a summons.”

Skken says, "So, then what?

“We need to find Sorenthor,” Ashcon replies, alluding to the infamous Lost Seeker.

Skken sighs in response and replies, “Fine. Where do we start?”

“We know he goes to Thorenn for supplies. Someone there would know how to contact him or how to locate him. He's the only one who would be able to confirm or deny,” says Ashcon.

Skken gestures toward Sapphyre. “What if she won't go? Do we just take her?”

“Yes,” Ashcon immediately replies. “Hopefully that won't be necessary.”

Ashcon turns back toward Sapphyre, holds his palms out, and moves them counterclockwise. Two red orbs glow briefly. Ashcon says, “Sorry about that, Sapphyre, but it was necessary. You are a very unique individual and in order to figure out just how special you are, we are hoping you will join us on a journey.”

Sapphyre looks up warily. “To where?” she inquires.

“We will be heading east. We need to go see a man named Sorenthor. He'll be able to tell us why you're able to see my runes,” replies Ashcon.

“Why is it so important to know?” Sapphyre inquires.

“There are very few people alive who can see what you can, Sapphyre,” says Ashcon with a subtle tenderness to his voice. Ashcon does not want to confuse the young girl so feels no reason to bring up seekers. He places his hand in hers and asks quietly, “Will you come with us?”

Sapphyre, still confused by all that has transpired, replies, “First I would like to know what you are.”

Ashcon looks at Skken, who is shaking his head from left to right, and then he turns toward Sapphyre. Releasing her hand, he rises and asks, “Have you ever heard of a runestar?”

“No.”

“Most beings your age haven't,” Ashcon says as he paces with slow steps. “I have runes all over my body that give me certain abilities. We don't have the time to really delve into all that is a runestar at present, but rest assured, I mean you no harm.” He stops in front of Sapphyre and gazes into her blue eyes. “My powers were bestowed upon me by the Star Gods themselves and I am sworn to protect the light and the stars. You must consider all you have learned and make a decision, Sapphyre. I pray you will come with us, and on my honor, Skken and I swear to protect you.”

Sapphyre has been able to see a light green aura surrounding Ashcon ever since she touched the dagger earlier, but feels no need to reveal that yet. She stands, looks at Ashcon, and states, “I know you not, and you may be without honor, which would negate your oath.” She looks down at her feet and back at Ashcon who does not reply. “I must ponder this. When do you leave?”

“We depart in two days' time.”

“Very well. You will have my answer before you gp.”

Sapphyre leaves their room and heads to her small quarters. She retrieves the bowl with the liquid and the three feathers. Ever since she arrived at the tavern almost two winters ago, the bowl has revealed the same thing on a daily basis. The feathers all join together in the center of the bowl. Their tips touch together and glow a bright blue. She recalls the surprise she felt when she saw the feathers take that shape for the first time, knowing she had arrived at a predestined location after spending so much time on the road.

This is the only time since then that she is truly wondering what the bowl will reveal. As she sets the bowl on her small table and drops the feathers in, she closes her eyes and wonders what fate has in store for her. As the feathers turn in the bowl and start to form an arrow facing east, she thinks of the old woman in the carriage instructing her to always trust the feathers. Sapphyre opens her eyes and smiles as the tips begin to glow blue.