Unveiled Secrets: The Prophecy of the Twins

Chapter 1 - What is her trade?

The rustle of the leaves woke Naya up from her slumber and she sat immediately, looking around for the cause of the noise. She sighed as she confirmed there is no danger, her hold on her sword loosening. The squirrel ran up a tree after picking a nut from the ground. Naya’s lips twitched as she stared at the tree. The remnants of her magic still visible on it. Probably the only useful one among her many abilities. The only one that makes her life a little better. She’s able to touch a plant or tree and it will bear fruits for her. She discovered it when she turned eleven. It was one of the reasons why she had decided to run away. It gave her the courage that even if she’s alone in the forest, she wouldn’t go hungry. She picked up a few nuts on her own and kept them in her make-shift bag. She eyed her water bottle. She should reach the next town within the day. Unfortunately, it’s hard to find trees that bear watery fruits so she can ease her thirst. The first rays of the sun shone through the trees and that marks the start of her day. She walked forward, bringing with her a few possessions she treasures.

Naya’s known family despise her. When she was still a babe, they discovered that she can turn invisible. Her ability doesn’t extend to her clothing, though. Her father convinced her mother not to throw her away. Except for her father, the rest of the family grudgingly allowed her to stay. When she was a toddler and has started walking, she has gone through walls and solid objects. Her father told her how people like her gets treated outside, and that she should never show it to other people. When she said that she couldn’t control it, he told her to stay in the house and stick close to it. She’s f*******n to engage with the other kids who might accidentally see her powers. She’s an outcast growing up. Alone. Craving social interaction.

She had one friend. Penral. He’s the son of the local doctor, who uses medicinal herbs in treating illnesses. He’s famous in the community. Penral has been learning from his father since he was young. She met him in the woods, picking up leaves from certain herbs. He was friendly and kind. He talked to her and she replied shyly. Not sure how to answer a stranger’s questions. Her father always reminds her to be careful about what she says. She couldn’t let slip anything that would reveal her powers.

Being knowledgeable on plants, Naya learned from him about seasons and which plants are expected to bear fruits and flourish during certain periods. It came handy when her useful ability manifested in her. To hide herself, she shouldn’t use it on plants and trees that aren’t supposed to be fruitful.

On her way, her thoughts were interrupted as she surveyed the plants and trees. She had to bring some produce to sell so she can earn coins she can use for lodging. Maybe meat, too. And water.

She identified two and used her ability to fill-up her bag with their fruits. She stared at them, thinking they ought to be enough.

Her only other ability is enhanced hearing. It gives her headaches, though. She can’t control when it comes and goes. Is that right? When she thought about it, she never had a proper time to try and practice controlling her other abilities. She would always be looking over her shoulder to make sure no one is looking, or no one will suddenly appear. She has always been afraid to try, for fear of exposure.

She breathed out as the town comes within her sight. Water. She would like to drink water. That’s the first question she asked the first person she saw. She was pointed into a certain direction. Some women asked about the contents of her bag and she showed them, eager to make money. By the time she arrived at the well, her bag was half-empty. She refilled her water bottle before gulping straight from the bucket. She took the time to glance around and take in the new community she’s in. She can stay here for two weeks. The longest time she stayed in one place is a month. She had to keep moving. It has also helped her maintain her persona as a traveler.

The challenge of her first day in every community is finding a place to stay. Sometimes, it becomes difficult that she had to sleep in the woods, or behind someone’s house. But not today. It’s nearly winter. She can’t stay outside when the night falls. Last night was already chilly. She sighed at the possibility of sleeping outside again. Alright, then. She can take another night. It’s not yet the kind of cold that seeps into the bones. She can bear it. She bore many things alone in the last four years.

She walked towards a busy crowd. It seems someone has a store and this is the time of the day when people buy whatever they need. It was noisy and people kept moving about. She stood on the side as she watched. She adjusted her bag to ensure people could see the remaining contents. A couple of ladies asked her about them and she sold them half a dozen. The fruits are sweet. They sell well. A young man bought the remaining four pieces. She frowned as she noticed something peculiar. These people didn’t bother asking who she was and where she’s from.

She stared at a man leaning on a wall opposite her.

“Do you get a lot of travelers in here?” She tried to control her voice, making it sound more like that of a young man. Her clothes reveal nothing about her gender and she had always kept her hair short. She cuts them regularly; every month with her father’s knife.

The man turned to look at her and surveyed her from head to toe.

“Yes. If you’re looking for an inn, I would suggest the Wood Shack.” He turned back to look at the bustling crowd.

“How much for a night?” Naya asked, trying to remember how much coins she had saved in her inner pockets.

“Three small silvers. They would let you stay for a week for a big gold coin.” He explained and she can’t help grunting.

“Do many people here have big gold coins?” She muttered, having never owned a gold coin, big or small.

“Some.” The man replied.

Silence ensued. Naya turned to look at the skies. It’s still bright and clear. There’s still time for her to secure a room at the inn. Unless… there could be many travelers today in this community.

“Do you know about nobles?” The man’s question startled her. She was about to walk towards the direction he pointed.

Naya searched her mind about nobles.

“Yes. They comprise the higher part of society, do they not?” It has always served her well to express doubt in her own knowledge.

“This town has them. I suggest you watch yourself, lest you encounter one and be degraded.”

Naya understood the man’s warning.

“Not so different from where I came from and from all the towns I’ve been in.”

She nodded curtly towards the man to express her thanks.

As she walked, her mind returned to the past. 

What is her trade? Nothing, really. She’s more suited to sell produce in markets. Her sword is for her own protection as she travels alone. Her father gave her little training after he hammered the sword himself. During that time, she did her best to learn survival. Penral taught her about herbs for the most common diseases one is likely to contract during their lifetime. She wielded her sword with whatever strength her lithe body afforded her. Her skinny figure is hidden under her cloak and the layers of clothing.

Her father died with an incurable illness a few years earlier. With him gone, her mother and her brother and sisters wanted her gone, too. She endured six months until the time another of her abilities manifested itself. The one that allows her to produce food from plants and trees. She ran as soon as she managed to control it.