Swapped Fate

58: Sinking, Falling.

Tristan and I paid a visit to the seer that very afternoon. Madam Felicity had expressed heartily her exuberance at our desire to visit a seer, declaring that the fairies were at work to recruit us as followers of Lady Fate.

She mistakenly believed we wished to accept our fated future together, no matter how many times we insisted that it was our curiosity at work. She thought we were seeking ways to stay together, and whether there would be obstacles in our path.

If only she knew the biggest obstacle was my looming death.

The seer's base of operations was his home in the outskirts of the city, just off the main road that led to the capital of Evindrear.

It was a quaint home with no fencing save for the wooden one around the small farm of goats. Hens clucked and roamed the grass freely, ruffling their feathers within the flower beds at the front of the house.

We were met by a maid servant who had just returned from milking the goats. We introduced ourselves, and her eyes lit up when she realised we were acquaintances of Madam Felicity.

As was customary for a visit to a seer or oracle, we brought gifts. While we headed into the house, the footman and maid servant undertook the task of unloading the rice, flour and garments.

Quiet filled the room when the door closed behind us. The floors were dull and smoothly cemented, the walls made of concrete. A large portrait of the seer Nalem hung above the fireplace to our right, along with other tapestries and paintings on the walls.

In the middle of the room was a round table covered with a red linen cloth, with two chairs facing each other. To our left was a chaise against the wall and directly ahead was a cupboard against that wall.

The seer Nalem approached from a door in the far right corner, donning a light grey tunic and matching trousers. The ends of the long sleeves as well as the hem of his trousers were lined with an intricate gold pattern. His brown hair was long and shaggy, barely held at the nape in a ponytail. He sported a beard, the goatee stretching as far as his chest. A medallion hung from his neck, larger than mine, engraved with green gemstones.

He cast one look at Tristan and said, "You're Tristan Devereux."

He then shifted his dark eyes to me. "And you must be Mavis."

I was intrigued. "Amazing. You got that right in one try."

Tristan, however, was unimpressed. "Mother was here before and told him about us. Not to mention he obviously recognised the amulet."

The seer smiled warmly, not perturbed by his skepticism. "Please, have a seat."

He took up a chair on one end of the table while I volunteered myself for the other. Tristan stood beside me.

"You're here about the amulet," Nalem observed. "And about the evil that currently troubles you."

"We're not here for a reading," Tristan averred, his tone curt. "Just tell us where to find the oracle who blessed the crystal, and we'll be on our way."

The seer's gaze flitted from me to Tristan and back to me, before settling on my wrist.

"So that is the cause," he surmised. "You've been cursed."

I withdrew my hands from the table.

"That is not your problem, and definitely not my mother's," In Tristan's voice was a silent threat. "We will handle this quietly ourselves. So, the information, if you please."

I nudged Tristan, shooting him a glare.

His expression read, "What?"

I sighed, turning back to the seer. "Sir Nalem, thank you so much for this amulet. I don't know what would have happened to me if it hadn't been for you, but...I need to get rid of the problem permanently. Which is why I'm inclined to ask for your help again in finding the oracle."