Seer Bird

A story about Seers and two sisters.

The small ship came to a rest in the harbour and a ganglank was lowered. Out of the ship came a stream of common folk, perhaps twenty or so, carrying with them their luggage and merry spirits. Some had small children, who ran inbetween the legs of the older, playing and being a general nuisance. The guard woman stood at the port deck, along with six more soldiers in a neat line. Most of the guards mantained their rigid posture and stern faces but the lead woman, though equally straight backed and commanding, had taken off her helmet, letting her wavy caramel braid loose. She had the ghost of a smile pinned to her face.

   

"E-excuse me, miss?" One lady spoke up, rather timidly, as Cila laid a hand on the small trunk the woman was clutchig tightly to her chest. "What are you doing with our luggage?" Cila's ghost smile vanished and she wiped her brow, prying the trunk away with a swift tug and undoing the clasps.

"Just a routine inspection. We are required as per protocol to examine any and all cargo coming ashore." Cila opened the trunk and her dark eyes widened. She took out a set of aging scrolls bound in twine and held up a strange bottle of some mysterious red substance to the light. A few feet away, another guard had found a shallow, silver dish enscribed with runes. A few of the people from the ship noticably tensed and the atmosphere had changed, with mother hugging their children closer to them and the men, shifting in stance ever so slightly. Cila felt a chill down her back beneath her chainmail. One of the soldiers gave a curt nod in her direction, before turning to the rest of the troop.

Cila called out, loud enought o be heard over the chatter of the port.

"This boat has been harboring Seers! By the order of the king, you are all here and by, under arrest!" Several of the accused men drew weapons from their hiding spots.

"Seize the illegals!” One guard yelled. ”I suspect that master Gerou will want them tried!" In one smooth motion, the soldiers,encircled the gropup of seers, their swords looking like kitchen knifes being compared to the mere toothpicks that were their weapons. It was futile, unless the danmed witch workers were willing to jepordize the lives of their wives and children. Cila gestured ahead of her, pointing the tip of her sword towards the cobbled path that led past the port and up the winding road towards Indigo Castle.

"We shall take them in. Master Gerou will provide trials to these witch’s dogs." More guards from the surrounding area, hearing the commotion, came in to provide escort and seize their possessions to be burned. Cila herself, surrounded a group of two men, a young girl and an older woman, all seemingly paralyzed with fear.

The escort train of illegals began. But, a dark haired youth, probably just a few years shy of Cila broke from the ranks and ran. Cila yelled an order to not let the rest escape as she took off after the youth. He was incredibly fast and agile as a gazelle, leaping over barrels and ducking beneath many a commoner's arm, all the while as Cila gave chase. Fortunately, she grew up on Indigo Island and the village was more familiar to her than the back of her own hand.

Soon, he had broken through, past the village and into the forest, the one that encircled the hill upon which Indigo Castle lay. Fool boy, Cila thought. It is impossible to escape from an island unless you have a boat! She slowly but surely gained on him, her breatning labouered, and yet he never once looked back. Finally, with one last heave of strength, she leapt and threw herself on top of him. With her armor increasing her weight, her landing on him sent what was left of his breath from his lungs causing his to wheeze and sputter.

"Aprehended at last! Although, I must say, you put up a good fight for a witch's dog."Cila drawled, standing, with one foot planted firmly upon his back.

"I w-would be wary if I-I were you..." he choked out. Cila laughed heartily, not bothering to disguise how fake and hollow her laughter sounded.

"Wary of what? What can you do beneath my boot? Cast a spell on me?" The youth, coughed and craned his head, sending Cila a glare that was positively murderous.

"I'm a seer, not a 'witch's dog' as you would call me. I can't cast spells"

"Oh, really?” she said, the sarcasm oozing from her lips.

"Yes, really." The dark haired youth spat. "But... I can see the hardships of your future."

"Is this the famed sight of your kind? Or are you bluffing? Why should I believe a word from your deceit crowded mouth?"

"Because..." he paused, taking a breath and exhaling heavily, "I can see your sister, Cila."