A Prophecy; A Curse

Chapter 1

Seers

The road was slippery and rocky. It was almost a week when that heavy storm passed, but because of the dense trees in this forest, the ground remained wet. Ayu trailed down the road carefully. Her cloak covered her academy uniform and the basket she was carrying. The cloak's hood perfectly covered her face, too. She might look creepy in her getup, but because the capital started to use cloaks in trend, it doesn't look too out of place.

When she walked out of the forest at the east exit, she trotted down the road towards the town center. Like always, it was filled with people. There were students of the academy like her. Some were just strolling, some trying the food stalls on the side, while some were headed for the marketplace; and that's where she's headed.

"You're early, Ayu."

She merely smiled and took out the basket she was carrying. There was a cover in the basket, and when she opened it, all that was inside were plants plucked out of the ground.

"How's this, Nana?" Ayu asked, but she was already sure that Nana would take it, judging from the huge smile that was drawn on her wrinkly face.

"Just right, I was hoping you would bring Dew Drips. Someone was looking for it last week, but it was already out. I told them to try today. Thankfully, you brought some." Nana was smiling happily as she took some coins for the things that Ayu brought.

"Here, including the basket, right?"

Ayu nodded and took the coins without counting it. "I'll be going then, Nana. Thank you." She smiled.

Nana waved her hand. "No, thanks. It's my pleasure to receive these things. You don't know, but a lot of people are looking for the things you're bringing. Makes me wonder why you don't bring some every day."

Ayu shook her head at Nana. "Plants need rest, Nana. They'll die if I touch them every day."

"Well, you're right. But they're expensive, Ayu. Are you sure you don't want some percentage from the sale? People bid for these plants."

Ayu chuckled, "It looks like a big shot visited your stall Nana."

"You don't say. This stall is at the end of the marketplace, but people would visit eagerly. So, how about it? Did you change your mind? My conscience can't take to sell these at high prices, and all you get are meager coins."

Ayu smiled at Nana's passionate persuasiveness. Of course, she knew these were expensive. She knew they were precious. But she doesn't need much. Besides, there are much more rare herbs in her hands. Some that could even get her killed. Not because it's forbidden to grow, but because she doesn't want to sell it.

"Oh. There they are."

They?

Ayu turned to where Nana pointed her hand, and she saw five people walking towards them. She bowed her head down even when her face was covered by the hood.

"Nana, I'll go first. I'll come back next week."

Nana didn't find anything wrong with that, so she let Ayu leave. Ayu once told Nana that she doesn't want anyone to know that the plants came from her. She didn't tell Nana why, but because Nana is with a broad mind, she agreed without asking any questions.

However, when Nana likes to chat, Ayu would stay to humor the old woman even when there are customers at the side. The customers today, she doesn't want to stand side by side with them.

Ayu crossed to the other side of the road calmly before she walked out of the marketplace. There was a moment when their paths were parallel, and she could feel that someone was watching her.

She tsk-ed and continued walking at a normal pace.

"Just my luck," she mumbled, and instead of entering the forest again, she chose to take the path towards the academy. Ayu had taken a two week leave, but, at this state, it's better to go back now. She'll just report that she's back so that the remaining days won't be cut off from her days of leave.

°°°°°°°°

"What's wrong?"

Liam glanced at Tia before he stared at that cloaked person once more, then he continued his way to the stall at the end of the marketplace.

Contrary to Ayu's belief, it was not Tia— the other seer— who noticed her. It was Liam.

"Good thing you came early. Here. These are fresh from the ground. The Dew Drips that you're looking for is this fella."

The old woman reached out to take a stalk that was all green. It was like how a Dew Drip was described in books, but there's a point that was left out.

"Ma'am, are you sure that this is a Dew Drip?" Haki asked with doubt. When the old woman told them yesterday that there'd be Dew Drips today, they didn't really have much hope, but they still tried. Now, his confidence really wore off upon seeing the plant. He peered at Liam's expression, but the other remained focused at the things inside the basket.

The old woman's eyes crinkled in amusement. And as if she just remembered it, she slowly took the stalk out of the basket and placed it where the light of the morning sun could hit it.

"Ayu!"

Really, her luck is really, really... great.

Upon hearing that voice, she hurriedly changed her direction. Instead of heading to their department's library, she now wants to go to the dormitory. Boys and girls are situated differently, so at least there, this man won't be able to follow her.

"Ayu! Hey, wait up!"

Ayu wasn't wearing her cloak now since the academy doesn't let the students roam around dressed like that. Outside is okay, but inside is a no, no. It's dangerous, they say. Because if they'd give an okay signal to wearing cloaks, no one would know who's who.

That's why this fool could tell who she is. And she hates it.

Ayu tried to hasten her footsteps, but it stopped when that person blocked her.

She glared at him, "Step aside."

"Ayu," the man called helplessly.

When he didn't move, she tried to move to his right, but he blocked her still. She tried his left, but he did the same.

Ayu didn't really like this kind of game so she stopped.

"What do you need, Tresias?"

"Finally," the man mumbled. "Please, Ayu. Help me."

Ayu licked her lips and frustratingly rubbed her index finger with her thumb. This guy spoke directly. Why didn't she experience that when they were young? His guts were growing.

"Help, but you won't be the one needing it?"

"He is a good person. He's not his father—"

"Don't, Tresias," she cut him off. They might be under a Kekai she made to keep others from listening, but she won't take that chance. She doesn't trust the grounds owned by that ghost of a man.

"Seers are back now. Your group is with one. And, you are one, too."

She stopped her rubbing fingers and turned to start walking back to the dormitory after leaving those words.