I'd decided when I'd left my home burning, that I would start anew - always travel and never stay in one place for too long. That way I wouldn't become too attached to anyone or anything and nothing would lose meaning. I knew that if I ever let myself get too close to any one person or a specific town I could risk the same loss that I had to endure before, so I would never let that happen again. Along with that promise, I knew that I had to avenge the death of my parents. With their passing fresh in my memory everywhere I went, it was hard not to think about killing every last Forsaken in the world. But it had to be my goal - there was nothing else to live for.

As I began my journey, there was something about the way that I held myself that attracted men to me. I knew that I was pretty well-endowed with "the goods" as most men put it, but at the same time it felt as if they were drawn to me or even flocked to me! I never understood it, but I also never minded it. But that was only the beginning.

The first town I visited was nothing special. I had been traveling for about five miles or so and so many of the people knew about the fire and my parents because my father had been the best blacksmith within a hundred mile radius. No one recognized me, thank the Gods, but after two or three days, everyone assumed that I had died in the fire after the Forsaken had killed and dragged away the bodies of my parents. At least, that was one rumor. I was also fortunate enough to have the money for food and medicine for my long journey ahead and for the ache in my temples.

The next two towns I traveled to were quite like the first; people talking about the devastating fire and Forsaken attack and my brain wanting to throb out of my skull. I literally thought that I was going to die from the pain. But, I got through it well enough. The men were just lucky I was never in a mood to kill anyone who talked to me.

One town in particular at the beginning of my journey stood out almost above the rest. I wandered into the town with a clear head and a straight face, which was new because my head was finally feeling better than it had in weeks. I got many stares, as usual, as I walked from store to store, restocking my food supply. When I had come out of the third store or so, a group of three guys were surrounding my cart. The cart that I used wasn't extremely large, maybe about a foot larger than a wheelbarrow, so three guys could easily surround it and make it look like something was up.

I stopped when I stood before them and stared at them, one hand on my hip. Each one was very handsome, I could give them that, but they all looked way too smug for my taste - like they seemed positive that they could win me over. It annoyed me. I rolled my eyes and slightly winced at a painful humming in my head. What a waste of time this was going to be.

"Hey." The oldest-looking one said, nodding his head in my direction.

"Um, hello." I replied. I tried to slide past each man to put my supplies in my cart as each one tried to talk to me.

"So, there's this fair tonight, and-" The youngest-looking one chattered.

"We want you to go with us." The middle-looking one blurted out; straight to the point. I half smiled, liking it in a guy when he got straight to things. Maybe this would be more fun than I thought.

With buzzing in my head I stared at each of them in their muddy eyes. They really weren't that good looking, but they did know what they wanted and, being someone who likes things straight to the point, I admired that.

"I don't think that I will go because I'm not from around here, but even so, I would only go with one of you. Sorry." my half smile grew just a bit at the hilarious conversation unfolding.

Damn, I would fuck that grin right off her face.

My smile dropped and I frowned. "What?"

"What?" the taller one asked, confused at my sudden question. Sure I didn't-

Now that's a body if I ever did see one...

Why won't she go to the fair with all of us? It would be funner that way...

"I really don't want to go to the fair, I'm sorry. But stop fucking talking about my body, you creep!" I blurted. Each boy looked at me in shock, like I had just smacked them each in the face. I must have scared them at that point because each guy said sorry and walked away, leaving behind the older-looking one to stare for a second longer before calling me a bitch and leaving. (A bit harsh, if you ask me.)

I must be out of my mind. No way that was what I thought it was, surely. Did I just... read those guys' minds? No. That's stupid. I stood in the same spot for a minute more before snapping myself out of it and trying to go on with my day. That's not possible... is it? I remembered reading once where a high priestess who had meditated for so long was able to achieve other worldly powers. I was very skilled in magic and sword combat, but there was no way I could get "other worldly powers." Surely.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself. I just need sleep, that's what it is. Easy explanation. Right?

She's going to get hurt if she keeps zoning out like that.

My head snapped towards the voice, somehow I knew that it was talking about me. An older man was staring at me from across the road as I crossed. He was wearing very dirty glasses and sitting at an outside cafe table. As soon as my eyes met his, he turned his head to quickly avoid my stare.

That was just... all in my head nothing else. Yeah. That had to be-

Fuck! Stupid pot holes!

The man next to me seemed to be shouting... but he never moved his mouth. Okay, now there is no way-

That's an odd sword.

Damn all these people! You would think that today is a holiday or something! It's just a fair! ...

I hope I can get a new dress today before the fair.

That woman is very attractive.

I wonder if Lala is coming to the fair tonight...

And just like that, there was voice after voice after voice inside my head, so crazy and all over the place it was as if every single person was saying something at the exact same time. Some voices were loud, some soft, some far away, and some very close. It was like buzzing - but ten times worse. I could hardly stand it. With each loud, shouting voice, my vision worsened and I became dizzy. I need to get somewhere was my only personal coherent thought.

I managed to stumble into an empty alley-way where I could stumble against the walls and no one would care much - at least I hoped not that much. With all the energy I could muster, I placed my fingers on my temples and rubbed. As I rubbed, I started to chant the protection spell that my mother used to chant every night before I went to sleep. I didn't know if it was going to do any good but it was the only thing that I could do.

With each chant, it surprisingly got easier to bare. As the voices became quieter, I tried to concentrate my thoughts so I could block out any or all voices in my head.

By the time I was able to walk out of the alley and then finally out of the town, the voices were manageable but not all the way gone. Still, under all the concentration and deep breathing, I was shocked. I could read minds? That was... amazing to me.

As my legs dragged me to another town and another place, farther and farther into the future, I slowly learned to control my new powers. As I did, my goals and my promises slowly began to change.