The Oreans

Chapter 7

Chapter 7
The New Neighbors

The temple bells rang six times, a signal that it was exactly midday, but Alen was still nowhere near Adrien's house. The cobbled street was narrow, and rows of plain gray houses lined it, looking cold and miserable. Even without meeting anyone along the way or looking at the partially open windows, Alen was sure who lived there: the least fortunate people of Rosienne, the people he had never thought existing in this supposedly rich city. He knew that he had taken the wrong turn somewhere in the marketplace; but even if he had doubled back several times, he could not find the right way.

Feeling already tired and hungry from riding, his growing concern and irritation were only countered by a rush of pity for the pathetic young faces he caught peering down at him from behind the dingy blinds. There might have always been someone to provide for him, but Alen understood how it was to be in need. These children were certainly hungrier than he was. However now that he himself, was in the same predicament, he could not do anything but ignore their doleful looks.

What was he going to do now? If he could only locate the sword smith's shop, he was sure Fermin would remember him and be willing to point him the way back to Adrien's.

He was about to round another corner, wishing it would lead him to a more familiar surrounding when someone called from behind. At first, he thought the voice was addressing someone else, but when he distinctly heard the sound of footsteps after him he pulled Rapido's reins and swerved back.

The voice belonged to a bent woman. Her head was wrapped in a tattered black veil and her face was blackened with soot. On top of it, she was dressed in the dirtiest pair of rags Alen had ever seen. She looked every inch like a beggar, and Alen would have pitied her if not for the silent dignity shining in her hazel eyes. She gestured Alen to dismount, and he did so with some hesitation.

"Thank the Most High for this moment," the woman said in a tone that was at odds with her appearance.

Puzzled at this, Alen decided to reply, "I'm sorry, Ma--Madam, but I have no food with me."

The woman only smiled and replied, "I'm not like what you think, child. Don't judge people by how they appear."

"What --what can I do for you then?"

"You can do nothing for me, but I can do something for you," said the woman. "I know it will sound strange to you, but I know all about you."

Silence followed these words. Alen stared at her in bewilderment.

"Alen, you thought you were abandoned by your parents. You grew up in a monastery, adopted by a rich couple but ran away, traveled with a young man named Divan, and are presently living with an Orean master."

This time, Alen's confusion was changed to amazement. How did she know all of that? Unless...

"I can guess the questions you want to ask, but the answers cannot be given right away. I hold the key to your past, but I will not unlock it until the door is set."

"The door is set? What do you mean?"

"Your journey towards self-knowledge has just begun." The woman went on as if she did not hear him. "It will not help if I hasten you on your way. So far, you're on the right track. The people whom you wish above all to see have already crossed your path, and they will join in your journey for good soon."

"I don't understand."

"Find sense in the nonsense." She then put her hand on his shoulder and added, "Right now, the two halves of the fruit are in the same basket. Open your eyes and you shall see." Then, she turned away.