Though her body was withered and frail, her presence nearly matched Cirayus’. She wore a red silk skirt that fell to her sandals and a matching red top with gold embroidery.
Her clothing screamed priest to Vir.
“Nothing, ma’am,” the guard captain said, snapping to attention. “Just taking care of a troublemaker—”
“You lit the plaza on fire, you oaf!”
“He… is of the Ash! We had to test him!”
“By threatening these children? Oh, believe me, I’ve seen enough. If you hurt one hair on their heads, I’ll have yours on a platter. Understood?”
“Y-yes, ma’am. Of course. We just—”
“Shut up. And get out of my sight.”
The captain stared at her blankly.
“Today!” she roared, spittle flying onto the captain’s face.
Shocked into action, the guards picked up their fallen comrades and hightailed it out of the plaza in a feat of extreme competency. Vir wondered how hard his fight might’ve been if only they’d fought as well as they ran.
“Thanks, ma’am—” Vir started, but was cut off.
“You!” she said, pointing at Vir. “You come with me.”
Though there was no prana or Chakra in her words, Vir felt like disobeying her would be the worst decision he could ever make.
Nonetheless, he wasn’t about to follow some unknown woman.
“Who are you?” he asked, standing defiantly.
The woman cracked a smile, though there was no mirth in her eyes, making her look almost sadistic. “They call me Greesha.”
Vir paled.
“And you, young lad, are in a lot of trouble.”
Oh, grak.
12SEER OF PROPHECY
“Well?” Greesha said once they’d arrived at her place of work. Resembling a miniature temple with pointed roofs, it was nestled in between other large, three-story structures. As if it’d been there first, and everything else had been built around it.
The temple was in a far nicer part of town compared to where Vir had just been.
“Give me one reason I shouldn’t have you thrown into jail. Entering my town and making a ruckus right away, hmm?”
Darsh and Hetal kept their heads bowed, avoiding eye contact. Vir suspected it had something to do with the badge adorned with a red crown that hung from Greesha’s neck. A Chitran Ruler Calling badge.
“You’re in charge of this city?” Vir asked, earning him a raised brow from the woman. She clearly wasn’t used to people talking back to her.
“You’re treading dangerous water, boy. Were I any other Ruler in the city, your head would’ve been on a pike by now. Show some deference to your betters. Be grateful that I’m willing to overlook this incident and run along. And be sure it doesn’t happen again!”
Vir glowered at her. This was Greesha? The revered Seer? He wondered if Cirayus had lost his mind by speaking so highly of her. Or perhaps the years had changed her?
This didn’t look at all like a woman worthy of Vir’s respect.
“If you’re expecting me to bow down and grovel because of that fancy badge you’re wearing, think again.”
Darsh pulled at Vir’s sleeve to get his attention. “What are you doing!? She’s a Ruler!” he whispered, his eyes wide. Beside him, Hetal averted her eyes, looking like she wanted to shrivel up.
Vir exhaled. “Look, these kids have nothing to do with me. Why don’t you let them go?”
Greesha swept her dominating gaze across the children. Vir could almost feel them withering under the power of those eyes.
“Fine. But don’t cause any more trouble, you hear?” Greesha said, addressing the children. “Next time, I’ll feed you to the wolves.”
“Understood, ma’am! It was an honest mistake. We’ll see to our business and head right back!”
The siblings darted for the exit, but Darsh paused, giving Vir a conflicted look.
Vir chuckled. “I can handle myself. Get home safe, yeah?”
“T-thanks. And, uh. Your fight. It was seric!”
Blushing, Darsh grabbed his sister and disappeared out the door.
“So?” Greesha said the moment they’d left. “Mind telling me who you are and what you’re doing in this city?”
Vir narrowed his eyes. “As I said, Vaak—of Ash. I’ve been training there for years.”
“Oh, I don’t doubt it. I saw you fight. You’re strong, clearly.”
“Then, what do you—”
“You waltz in here showing no decorum. No respect for my badge. You act as though you own this place. I must say, it’s almost refreshing.”
Refreshing?
“So, the way I see it, either you’re someone important in disguise… Or you’re just a chal. Well?”
Vir regarded her evenly. “The Callings are supposed to be equal, are they not?”
Greesha’s eyes widened in surprise. “Which rock have you been living under—Unless. Oh no. You’re with the ones protesting the Callings, aren’t you?”
Vir was unaware there even was a faction looking to overthrow the Calling System. Useful information he filed away for later.
“Not quite.”
It was time to drop the ruse. He’d wanted to scope Greesha out, to get a feel for her character. If he was honest, he didn’t like what he saw, but Cirayus told him she would be a helpful ally. As he was, he didn’t have the luxury to pick who he worked with. He needed help if he was to learn the lay of the land.
“I come on behalf of a mutual friend,” he started, watching the woman for any changes in expression.
The woman’s frown deepened. “If you’re going to lie, try harder. I haven’t—”
“Cirayus the Ravager. Does that name ring any bells?”
Greesha’s expression changed so rapidly, Vir struggled to keep up. First, confusion flitted across her face, before recognition. Then shock, followed finally by something he didn’t expect. Fear.
“Impossible.”
“Very possible,” Vir fired back.
“Then,” she whispered. “You are…”
Vir nodded.
“Can—can I see?”
Vir looked around, and finding no one within range of Prana Vision—no spies who might be listening through walls—Vir pulled down his cuirass and undid his undershirt, allowing Greesha a glimpse of his tattoo.
“For the first time in a very long time, I admit I’m at a loss for words,” Greesha said after staring for several moments. Long after Vir had fastened his armor back on. “Then your red skin…”
“A disguise. I’m sure you’ll understand my need for excess caution. Even revealing this much to you is an act of faith on my part.”
“Yes, of course. Just, your disguise is… Well, impressive.”
Greesha chuckled, and the tension seemed to bleed out of her.
Vir hesitated. “You were expecting me, right?”
“Well, expecting is a rather strong word. Until now, I did not know whether what I experienced was a vision, or simply a dream.”
Vir’s heart beat faster. “You were… sucked away. To someplace else, right? Or your soul was, rather?”
“Cirayus told you, did he? Where is he?”
“Attending to some business. Finding allies in Clan Baira,” Vir replied, but his mind was elsewhere. Greesha’s soul had been pulled away. Just like Maiya’s. Vir couldn’t be sure without having seen Greesha’s detached soul form, but it certainly sounded like the same thing that had happened to Maiya.
Why Greesha remembered and Maiya didn’t, Vir couldn’t say. Perhaps Greesha’s experience was less traumatic? Who knew what having one’s soul sucked into an orb did to a person.
Vir allowed the revelation to wash over him. It was all real. Maiya really was there, wasn’t she?