Guardians of the Prophecy

Chapter Eight: The Healer and Her Guard

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Alistair made sure to keep close to Rima as Laurel and her Protector led them through the crowded streets of Bonum.  He had never had the luxury to travel outside of Antium before, and could only stare around and inhale in the foreign and delicious scents of food.

Men and women stood in front of stalls selling a variety of what looked like fruits, vegetables and meat. 

Why don’t they have any tents? Alistair wondered.  Bonum is such an… interesting country.

The smell of freshly baked bread assaulted his nostrils, and he turned to the right to see a plump, middle-aged woman with her hair drawn back in a messy bun shouting at the top of her lungs:  “Fresh pastries!  Get ‘em while they’re hot!  Buy some ‘fore I eat it meself!” 

He grinned.  It seemed that the people from Bonum had similar customs with those in Antium.  But physically, they had fairer skin and a wider variety of hair and eye colors.   

Alistair’s gaze strayed over to the young woman in front of him.  Her dress really complemented her slim figure.  And he thought Rima was lean.

Eh.  He shrugged.  The girl.  Laurel, was it?  She was quite pretty too.  He glanced over at the Guardian beside him, whose falcon was perched on her forearm and blinking at him.

Ever since he came back with Rima, it seemed that the bird was a little less hostile towards him.  Not that he minded in the beginning.  It was just a bird, after all.

“This way,” he heard Laurel’s voice say in front of him, and the group turned down another road that was noticeably larger and cleaner than the previous one.  The road led to a number of small castles, which were flanked by some buildings that he assumed were barracks.

Is she nobility?           

“What’s your father’s rank?” Rima asked, as if she had read his mind.

“He’s the Marquis of Sutherton.”

There was a pause.  “Wouldn’t your family have a larger… accommodation then?”  Alistair could tell the Guardian was trying to find the best wording for her question.

Laurel smiled mysteriously.  “Technically yes.  But father doesn’t think we should squander or show off our wealth.  And considering the fact that I’m an only child, he wants to keep a smaller estate rather than use up unnecessary resources to keep a larger one running.”

“Your father’s a considerate and clever man.”  The words were out of Alistair’s mouth before he could stop them.

“He is.”  She paused for a moment.  “Do you have the water artifact?”

“Oh!”  Rima untied the necklace around her wrist and handed it to Laurel.  “I’m sorry I forgot.”

“Not a problem.”  Laurel examined the artifact: a gorgeous teardrop-shaped sapphire strung on a length of silver.  The jewel was still shining its light at her chest.  She placed it around her neck and pressed her fingers against the gem, closing her eyes.  The sapphire glowed a bright blue, and then the light faded.

“Do you know anything else about what happens now?” Rima asked her.

“A vision.  The artifact gave me a vision that shows how we should find the Third Guardian.  But for now, you need rest and a place to stay for the night.  Please come in.”