Re: First day in Cambete, First Show of the Season
Tahra drew herself up, and her green eyes flashed. The bat Hyastenas, flitted down on her shoulder and regarded Gutstomper.
"You paid me to tell you what your hands show. Now you tell me to say what I think, not as human but as witch. So I will give you many words. Beware of thinking them too many.
"First I tell you more about what your hands say. This line, your fate, how your life may go. Here, more lines cross this line, your heart, how you feel in your heart. Here, more lines cross this line, your head, what you think. Here, this line, your life, it breaks. Line nearest thumb ends, less real life. Here this line, nearest palm, it goes on long, long, into wrist...greater life. Looks where all these are...shows about your life soon, soon. You will choose. One choice at first makes you feel free, powerful, smart. But soon, you would be like slave, weak like no way to help yourself, dumb. One choice, harder because you have to think about what other people want, need. But you gain friends, more respect, become wiser, power in council.
"Tahra drops Gutstomper's hands and looks him in the eyes. Now this human woman tells you what you know. Demons helps the Huns build their empire. Cruel pleasure for the few, misery for the many. Empire like blown away by the wind. Red Toe tribe in Burgundy has their own land, orcs only, happy in their way, wild, free. You live in Cambrete. Not wild, but free...no slaves. Many people, yes, so need to get along or misery, fear, for everyone. More opportunities, more choices. Facts of city life.
"Infernal powers, now. Think of what you has happened. They give power with one hand, but what then? Who bosses, Infernals or orcs? And I think this: Accept what Infernals offer becomes like taking strong drink after strong drink. Soon, more is not enough. Forever needing more, forever a slave to that need.
"Now I will tell you what this witch thinks. I was born a human just like you are born an orc. You are lucky; you can choose. Being a witch came to me; I live on the line between this world and the worlds of the outside powers. I on a narrow path...good on one side, evil on the other. Always I have to choose. If I do evil, I crave more evil; and I gloat over the evil I've done. If I do good, it becomes easier to do good; and I sleep well. I see something like this in you, Zot Gutstomper. You will have to choose, and if you do not choose, you choose helping the Infernals, and They will laugh.
"You keep my sooth in mind, or I pity your soul."
Tahra relaxed and looked up at Gutstomper, and drew a deep breath. Hyastenas returned to the ceiling.
"Now I am done, and I am just Tahra. Perhaps you would like a friend. If so, here I sit, ready to listen."