Kingdoms - work in progress

Chapter Seven - Kaltrina

It's been over a month since I've been here and it's definitely been changing. Just the community I mean. There's definitely something not quite right about the... the vibe. Aspen's parents - Aveline and Tane - have been noticing it too and it's become a hushed whispers dinner time conversation. Like tonight.

"Mom, just tell us. What is happening out there? You act as if me, Kal and Ash don't hear your whispers, what is it?" Aspen speaks up. The two adults look between one another and then to us three.

"Well... you can tell how the land is changing, and not for the better. There's a war starting."

"Like last time?" Aspen asks.

"Yes but... I'm not sure about the other kingdoms, but I think this time it's going to be worse. Way worse. Now is a time when I wish I could tell the future." She chuckles darkly and continues. "Wish I knew where Pelagia was. They're skilled in Divination." Aspen turns to me and gives me a look. I ignore her. After dinner and dessert, Aspen and I hurry into the bathroom between our rooms and close both doors and look at one another.

"You could use your magics-"

"It doesn't work like that."

"What?"

"I know you're thinking I can see the future, but that's not really how it works."

"How does it work then?" She asks.

"It's... complicated."

"Isn't the definition of divination literally telling the future?"

"I mean yes, but-"

"So what's the problem then?"

"The problem is that you need certain ingredients. Supplies. Supplies that are only available in Pelagia."

"Oh. Like what?"

"Well first I need my tasseography book."

"Tasso- tasseo- what?" I chuckle.

"Tea reading. And you need special tea."

"Which is?"

"Malva Menta."

"Um... what's that?"

"It's a type of plant that only grows in the lacus."

"The- can you speak English please?" I chuckle.

"Yeah, 'lacus' basically translates to pool or pond. It's well, it's a type of magical water. It's not exactly- it's infused with Pomum Suci and I- I don't know what else. But that's the only way the Malva Menta grows."

"I'm- I'm still so confused. Um, can you translate it to english?"

"Well we just use that name for it, but 'Pomum Suci' pretty much translates to apple juice. But it's not apple juice... it- it has something to do with apples, but it's definitely not just their juice. Now, uh- what was I saying?"

"Malta- Mal-"

"Right! Malva Menta. Fun to say huh? Oh- sorry um- Right. 'Malva Menta' literally translates to Mallow Mint. Which is a type of plant sort of like a mallow plant and sort of like a mint plant but not exactly the same. It has these beautiful white flowers almost like water lilies but at the same time- I'm really not sure how to describe them. Anyway, you make tea out of the flower petals after you dry them and then after you drink the tea you look at the dregs, and look at the symbol that has been formed."

"That's... that sounds really complicated."

"It's less complicated than it seems. Anyway, I can take you to the lacus. It's in this clearing of magical trees on the outskirts of town. We might be able to get there without being seen by anyone. It's right on the other side of our castle property. In the town."