Magician's Melody: Hymn of the Fallen

Part 10

Cornelius and I had a great talk the whole ride and he showed me around the entire market place. The foods here are so strange. And because JJ and the squad are guard members they were highly respected and we got a bunch of free stuff. Especially since we were rolling with a Prince.

I enjoyed the food more than I thought I would and met travelling performers, a place full of something they called Seekers which are Guides without their human counterpart, and the people were so kind here.

"How about we round back to the Seekers tent? They'll be gone by tomorrow. Most of them get set free after a few days to find their people anyways. Doesn't hurt to look for Nikki." Cornelius offered.

"I don't have powers, I doubt I'll have a guide." I deny the suggestion.

"It doesn't hurt to look and if you do then we'll know you have powers!" Parker pitched in.

"I don't know guys..."

"Let's just try it. Trust me, if you find your guide, you wont regret it." Iris added as she lovingly scratched Lamassu behind the ears.

"Mmm... Okay but only for a little bit." Everyone looked excited, even Cornelius.

Iris leaned over, "I think everyone's looking at you for an excuse to go look for a Guide of their own."

"Why? Do you need a Guide in this world?" I ask.

"No, but it's something that gives you more than anything. A powerful connection to a powerful being, a friend and companion forever. Everyone wants one deeply, but don't get a lot of opportunities to find them." Lamassu purred at her words and she chuckled. "That's why we created a place for people to meet Seekers. For a chance to find someone to understand you even when you don't understand yourself, to guide you when you feel lost."

"Sounds a lot like love," I whisper as I pet Lamassu's head.

"In a lot of ways it is." Our eyes met and her colorful eyes danced with the lights in the tent. My boring light brown eyes were nothing in comparison. After what was a long moment of staring we broke apart at Parker's call. 

We got up and headed through the noisy tent.

"They don't get to go out here a lot, so whenever they can they look for a chance to come here," Iris mentioned as she and I entered the tent.

It was filled to the brim with creatures of different sizes and species. I gaped in awe of the scene. The two ends of the tent were wide open for Seekers to pass through at their own will. Stall-type areas were made for the creatures of Lamassu's size. Littler Seekers were scattered about the tents and waited to greet newcomers. Larger creatures dwelled at the back outside, but there weren't many.

A rhinoceros-like creature with a three-pronged horn was outside. Along with a couple of other stranger creatures.

I met a little purple monkey with bat wings that jumped from the antlers of one creature to the head of another. Eventually landing on Bella and grooming her hair. Lamassu stepped forward and huffed in annoyance. The monkey screeched and bolted.

We had spent a good while in there before something struck me.

"Iris." She turned to me.

"How do you know if a Seeker is your Guide?" She smiled and held Lamassu.

"You'll know." Is all she said. Great, another vague explanation.

JJ called over Iris to look at a creature with a bull's head and scales with long antlers pointing upwards.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Cornelius asked.

"Yes!" I said with a giddy childish smile. He chuckled. "That's good. I'm happy you are."