Origins of the Fates

2: Gormlaith Laurent

The dusty roads of Ilyntalos are full of vendors and people of all kinds and all Realms. Humans do live here, but they do not associate with those who were thrust into their world by the gods. They blame us. They think that we are the real reason as to why their world is dying. And no, we are not the reason this happened. That would be the fault of the gods.

I cover my face with a scrap of cloth that shields my nose and mouth and chin from the sight of others, as well as the horrid wind that blasts hot dust and ash and sand into my face. I also wear a pair of thick goggles that could hide my eyes, since they are the best way that others can tell I'm not human. A hood is fastened over my head, the cloak attached is also fastened in place so that it doesn't whip about in the wind.

Basically, my entire body is concealed from the sight of everyone around.

And yes, I like it that way.

I slip up beside a stand with the seal on its side that tells others that yes, this is real fruit, and yes, it was sanctioned by Mercury to be allowed to be sold. You see, Master Mercury is an elven warlock, and he controls every single aspect of the daily life of everyone within this city.

So, you could imagine that everyone beyond the thick, high walls of his fucking palace, are people who live in squalor. We are miserable. Sick. Starving.

But does our government care? No. Because they, too, live within the Glass City with Mercury, and they are fed and paid so much that they're beyond saving. It is sickening to see that more than half the population of Ilyntalos is sick or starving or both, and those in charge are healthy and fat.

I do not steal from anyone who does not bear the Warlock's Seal, but I do not care what it is when I find things bearing it. Studying the girl at the stand, a halfling elf-human, is smiling as she watches the face of a hooded vampire as he stares hungrily at her fruits.

He is not needing the food, but he does need the blood of someone who would starve without it. He is shaking as he reaches a slender, almost skeletal hand out to cup a bright green fruit. As the girl has her focus on him, I shove half a dozen fruits of varying types into my bag. The vampire notices, but he does not show the halfling. He reaches for another fruit, and when she follows his hand, he winks at me and nods once. I return a very small nod.

Then, I vanish into the crowd.

I do not always work alone, but today I am. And when I'm done with the market, I head down many alleyways and side streets. Once I'm positive I'm alone and not followed, I head into the hidden hatch in the wall of an old and crumbling antique shop.

The sloped path down into the depths of the city is dark and cramped. But as a banshee, I honestly do not care. I like the cold and dark. I like it, because it reminds me of safety. Which is honestly a bit rare in this city.

Once I reach the underground chamber filled with many people from all over, no humans, I see Cato Albright, a demon, perched atop a particularly narrow hut on the border of the town. He watches me like you'd expect a demon to, but when I lower my hood and remove my goggles, he sees what I am.

Banshees are all pale skinned, all of us have strange eyes, and all of us have strange hair. My hair is curly and white, my eyes are purple. Also, I'm tall and skinny, my ears sharply pointed, more so than even elves or fae.

I ignore Cato's mismatched black and red eyes, keeping my own on the road ahead of me.

"Gormlaith!"

Astoria Klimek jogs up to me, morphing into her normal form as an elven shifter. She is curvy and somewhat short, scars ridding her otherwise flawless Black skin. Her purple hair is curly like a corkscrew, which bounces as she jogs up to my side, looping her arm through mine. Bright blue eyes sparkle with mischief as she grins her lopsided smile at me.

"I'm sorry I missed your fun."

"Ach, it's no bother, Astoria."

"But it is! I ... I'm sorry I missed the fun. I'm really upset I did, but..."

"But you had a job to do here," I remind her. "Oh, by the way, grab a couple things." I hold up my swollen satchel, full of many different foods I'd taken from the market.

"But this is for the whole place?"

"Last I checked, you're part of that, too," I say.

She playfully smacks my shoulder. "Oh, well.... " Sighing deeply, she rummages through the bag. "Oh! A star-bloom!"

I laugh. "Knew you'd want that."

She gathers all of the star-blooms and then shoves them into her backpack. "Oh, you spoil me, you know?"

"Well, that's what friends are for," I say.

When we reach our shared hut, Romilly Zellon, a shifter, and Leilani Zenith, a celestial witch, are both outside, playing a game of cards. They share our hut, too. Both girls look up as we approach.

"Gorms!" Romi jumps up and hugs me.

"Gorms?" Astoria asks, giggling behind her hand.

"Yes! I like the nickname," says Romi.

"Yes, well, you are the only one," Astoria replies.

Leilani approaches slowly, peering into the bag I carry. She sighs. "Let me guess, Astoria got first dibs on the star-blooms didn't she?"

"Ah, well, you see...." Astoria starts before I cut her off.

"I saved one for you both," I say, revealing another, somewhat smaller bag, before I pass it over.

"Oh! You do love us!" Romi cries.

"Star-blooms are mine!" Astoria hisses.

"No, these amazing, purple and gold fruits are ours!" Romi says, kneeling away as Astoria tries to steal Romi's.

Leilani shakes her head. "Well, let's head inside, girls. I'll start dinner. What else did you get, Gormlaith?"

I smile at the others, before following Leilani into our home. I am home, I am safe. And I'm surrounded by the girls I love most. Truly, what more could I ask for?