Disclaimer: All canons are Tamora Pierce's creations not mine
Walking around the market stalls was one of the amazing things Fiona had done in her life. Lalasa's shop was forgotten, as she looked from fruit stalls to tables full of Marenite pottery to rails of clothes. In particular, a table covered in gemstones caught her eye. She had collected gems in her old world and was interested in what might be available in Tortall. Signalling to the two knights, who were inspecting Yamani weaponry, Fi walked to the small stall.
In front of her were many different stones that she recognised. In a secured box lay some black opals. Fi smiled, these stones were renowned as good for magic and were very expensive. There were also amethysts, diamonds, sapphires, rubies, pearls and much more. There were also some sets of jewellery which included ear drops, a necklace, a ring and two bracelets. A few even came with a tiara as well. Fi was particularly drawn to one of these tiara sets. The natural stones that lay beside it she recognised as Tanzanite, but seeing as Tanzania was in her old world, it probably had a different name here. The stones in the set glowed steadily, throbbing light that only she saw. It tugged longingly at her heart and she felt that she had to buy this set.
Kel came over and laid a hand on her shoulder, "That set is Tyrite, mined in Tyra. It isn't normally that popular to people, but...."
"But what?"
"Well I'm not surprised that you seem to like it. It's the Seer's crystal, Shakith's stone"
Fi looked at the blue-violet stones set in a silver metal, probably white gold she thought. She knew that these gems were meant for her. She felt it in her bones, as her mum used to say. No don't think about that she told herself and made herself revert back to the subject, "How much is this?" she asked the stall-holder
"25 gold nobles m'lady."
Fi looked at Kel before answering the seller; "I'll take it."
Later that day they stopped outside Shakith's temple. Fi was already wearing her knew ring. At the market she had also bought a dagger, worth 5 nobles, which had a large Tyrite stone studded at the silver metal hilt. Kel had promised her to teach her how to use it as well as Yamani self-defence. Whilst the lady knight held Fi's borrowed mount, the girl walked into her patron's temple.
Inside the empty hall there was a heavy smell of incense. The new dagger at her waist and the ring on her finger both throbbed with a brighter light, giving a blue-violet hue to everything it touched, yet remaining visible to only her. Picking up a candle, she lit it with another before walking down to the altar. The wooden table had a backboard on which was the sign that matched the one that had been on her boats sail. The symbol had been carved then painted in a glowing paint. Fi placed her candle on the surface casting an eerie glow on the Seer's symbol. She knelt on the floor in front of it and focussed on the centre of the flame. She didn't really know why she had come here but come she had. Suddenly compelled, she threw her head back and yelled, "Shakith, I have come!" At least she thought she had yelled. No sound had come from her mouth. Fi was about to try again when she sneezed violently three times. Once she had wiped her streaming eyes she looked up. What she saw shocked her.
Just in front of the altar stood a woman in a long white dress. She had Viking-blond hair that fell to her waist where it curled gently. Around her neck was a large Tyrite stone on a chain of white gold. Her eyes had white irises with a light grey outline. Her pupils were the flame-shape that her holy symbol showed. Fi scrambled up to bow to her goddess
Shakith inclined her head gently to acknowledge Fi before speaking, "So my chosen, we finally meet properly. I see you wear my stone."
Fi gazed at her ring, which now emitted a blinding light, as did her dagger. She looked up into the goddess' face, "Why did you bring me here my lady?" she asked, trying to remember from her books how people should speak to gods, "What am I supposed to do in this world?"
"It is not for me to tell you your path," Shakith's voice was still a distant one; a dreamy voice which still reminded Fi of heavy mist, "I can tell you that you are special. And that the Mother's chosen was right in what she said to you in her castle that night."
"But...."
"Youngling, remember that Tortall is your home now. Never forget it. Your old world is dead. Your kind destroyed it. Make sure you don't influence these people to make the same mistake."
Fi nodded her understanding before asking another question, "My lady, why did you give me my music, is it important?"
"Ah, your instrument. It is unique here. I have left with your music a separate piece of my own making. If you play it when distressed, then I will attempt to help you."
"Thank you my lady."
"Your dagger is magical. It will be a useful weapon. And remember the words of the Mother's chosen."
Fi sneezed three times again, more violently than before. Once she had recovered, the girl found herself alone once more.
Outside Fi and the two knights mounted and set off back towards the palace. Two priestesses were watching them leave from the gate and Fi felt another watch with the Gift. The trio trotted the climb to the palace in silence. Only when they had reached the gates did Kel break the uneasy quiet; "We don't expect you to tell us what happened in there, you know."
"You don't"
Raoul chuckled," I doubt you could if you wanted too. I wouldn't attempt it. When Daine tried to once, she had a series of coughing attacks!"
Fi grinned," I'm glad you both understand. Kel we'd better hurry, its nearly sunset." She said, looking at the sinking sun.
"Mithros! So it is! Good evening Raoul, I'll probably see you tomorrow."
"Good night Kel. Good night Fi." Called the knight as he trotted his horse to the stables of the King's own. Fiona and the lady knight made their way back to the main palace stables, chatting peacefully.
Once in her room, Fi looked in her packs for something to wear. In her bags there was a brown paper package that said, 'FIONA' on it. Ripping the wrapping apart, she found a grey silk shirt, blue breeches and a blue dress tunic. As well as this there was a hand-written note:
Fiona,
Seeing as you only went to the market today, I know you won't have smart clothing yet. Keep these as an alternative to dresses. I wore them to Carthak, so they should fit you fine. Hope you make a good impression
Daine
Whistling happily, Fiona changed into the clothes Daine had given her and put on her knew necklace, leaving her dagger in the battered leather belt Kel had lent her and checked the ring on her finger. Looking her reflection over in the mirror, Fi straightened her tunic and shirt. They brought out the colour in her blue-grey eyes. She then left the room, locking it behind her before going to find Kel.
Alanna was at that moment talking to Myles in his rooms. After she had initially sent word about Fi, Myles had undergone the task of researching all of Shakith's chosen. It seemed that the Seer's goddess had only ever had one previous chosen in the Mortal realms. She had been a wielder of a new kind of magic, as it had been then, Wild magic. This woman had been the first with it. She couldn't shape-shift like Daine but she could heal and talk to animals.
"So what does all this mean?" asked Alanna, who has had this all related to her by her adoptive father.
"On it's own nothing. However I researched a little further. I found a document which mentioned a 'Seer's Prophecy'. I looked at this as it was in the right time period. It was a statement from the chosen one. She had been given a message by Shakith herself. I'll read you what she said..." Myles looked under a pile of old letters and pulled out a scroll, " OK, she said, "Shakith has prophesised another will come to Tortall in the far future from a different realm. She will bring a new human magic to our kingdom."" Myles re-rolled the scroll and secured it with a red ribbon, " Now, why would a goddess tell us anything if she weren't involved with this person. And I can't believe that Shakith would skip past her present chosen and have the first one talk about the third either."
" So you believe that this girl is the one prophesised?" asked a voice from the door.
Alanna and her father both looked at the blue eyed man leaning on the doorframe whose clothes didn't match his station.
Myles smiled, " Yes Jonathan, I think she is. But I don't know what this magic involves........"