The Forge Of Kings

Chapter 19: A Glance into the Future to be

    
     I stood in front of what was the observatory of Sylhalin, Finding myself astounded by every instance of life. I secured my coverings and proceeded towards what seemed to be a makeshift bazaar of the city. I wandered the dirt stained brick-lined paths, The people seemed to turn their attention to me as I passed, I finally stopped at a tent with shelves lined with Miscellaneous wares, all varying from dragon scale to rabbits foot,  which all seemed to lack usefulness for me, I eyed each item and stopped on an orb which seemed to shimmer with each gaze. The woman behind the counter noticed my intrigue, she approached and asked if I was interested in the mysterious sphere. I vaguely nodded and spoke up, "What could you tell me about this?" I asked. The woman nodded and approached the orb.

     "This looking glass has incredible abilities to see into the near future. It can sense ones motions and send them on their path, its primarily used by an adventurer who has lost their way." she spoke with such a flair towards the orb like a farmer representing cattle. I was almost drawn to the orb, But before I could touch it the woman slapped my hands away. "Only the Pure-willed may gaze into the glass." she said in a hollowed tone, "I may gaze ahead for you, by a little as a grasp of the hand, my dear." she reached forward with her hand and firmly held mine in place, she placed a sheet on my side of the orb and closed her eyes.

     Her grasp on my hand seemed to grow tighter, I tried to pull back but her grip remained firm, I was uncomfortable but I was in this now, I just wonder what she'll see. The woman opened her eyes forcefully and made eye contact with me, "You have the heart of a warrior, but the lust for vengeance." her tone took on a sympathetic quality, she turned her gaze back to the orb, The woman's face became one of concern, her brow had furrowed and then she raised her hand to her mouth and gasped.

     The woman turned to me and placed her free hand on the other in a consoling manner, she took a deep breath, "You have felt much heartbreak, more than most, and that has sent you down a dark path. Though your journey is difficult, It is also necessary. Your past, makes you stronger than the rest, you are a warrior filled with an insatiable rage. Though you're followed by a cloud of misery, you hold a torch for others to flock to." I listened to her words carefully.

     I stood there with the woman's hands clasped around mine, her words filled me with interest, She moved her left hand back to the orb and kept a firm lock on my hand with her right. She closed her eyes again, this time seemed to take longer than before, she opened her eyes and lowered her head. "You have begun to evolve, You have broken a cycle of anguish, and found a fondness for someone new."

     "You're path intertwines with an ancient legacy, one that holds the fate of the world as we know it in it's hands." She opened her eyes and made eye contact with me, "You must make your choices carefully, for they effect all of Rhōva." She raised her boney hand to my chin.

     "The orb has told me all it can, but one thing I want you to remember, Your past is not an obstacle, it is an edge, very few have been through what you have, from it you have strength, an instinct for self preservation, but also an undying loyalty towards those who have proven themselves, you do not stand for yourself anymore, you stand for the innocent, those in need of a savior." The woman released my head and covered the orb, she took a step back from the table.

     I took a moment to process the information the woman had given me, my past is an edg?  an advantage over those who oppose me. I placed my small bag of gold on the table and thanked her kindly. She gave me a nod and disappeared behind a sheet of her tent. I continued through the bazaar, the crowds began to thin and I approached some of the people about if they had seen a man fitting Drake's description. A few denied my inquiry and continued on their way, but one said that she thought she saw him about a day or so ago. I thanked her and asked where in the city she spotted him. She claimed it was not far from the east gate, when I asked for more information she walked away without a response.

     I exited the bazaar and came back to face the observatory slowly being encased in a grey concrete, it seems they're rebuilding, and expanding the observatory. It seems to be the building in the best condition since the change in leadership. I shook my head and began to walk along the street towards the east gate. Most of the buildings were in ruins and in flames, but a few still stood tall. I thought back to the last time I saw Drake, he ran off because he felt guilty for beating a woman to death, and didn't want to hurt me next. I shook my head and sighed, he feels guilty.

     I turned around and looked for a constable, or a county sheriff's building, It's not going to be much help with there being a dictator ruling this place, but this would be the one place he could go to turn him self in, Sarnawen is locked tight unless you can prove you're worthy, and Zodan isn't exactly a pillar of order. I finally came up what was the police station and entered, the room was a mess, desks toppled over, blood splattered on the walls, but no corpses. I walked to the cells and found them empty, I walked back to the main room and let out a sigh. This was my best guess.

     I walked back out to the street and looked in both directions as for a clue as to where Drake would have gone from here. "Hey!" I turned to my left and saw a man wearing tattered clothes approaching, he had greasy hair and a lazy left eye aiming far to the left. The man kept walking to me, he began to reach for a flintlock on his hip, I let him get closer, he pulled his gun and as he raised it, I kicked him full force in the chest, he flew backwards and landed flat on his back.

     The man let out a grown, I approached and placed a foot on his neck, "Did you need something?" I asked tightening my pressure on his neck. He reached up to my foot and tried to push it off, his face began to flush red and his breathing got shorter. He shook his head desperately, I lifted my foot and bent down as he began to sit up. "Next time you go to pick a fight with someone, maybe try and think about how they'll react to your gun. I know for a fact, I would do alot more than choke you a bit, but I have things to do." I whispered, I backed away and the man ran off, and looked back to see if I was pursuing him, he's the last of my worries right now.

     I stood there in front of the police station and tried to think of my next move, I had no idea where Drake would have gone from here. So I decided I would check the surrounding area for another idea, I headed back towards the observatory and the bazaar, but as I approached, I noticed a crowd in front of the observatory, they were fighting and yelling to get inside. I kept my distance and watched as the doors flew open and there were three consecutive Cannon shots into the crowd. My eyes widened as the crowd now laid along the ground, people injured, some dead. Rostov emerged from the building leading a group of his bandits, they walked around and killed the remaining people on the ground. He turned to me, pulled his flintlock and shot, I ducked into an alley to my right and ran. FUCK.