The Pearl Of Vynes - Chapter 35 The Strange Lady

After they had packed up and tossed dirt on the campfire to put it out. The three of them were off and rolling onwards further north. The chilled winds had picked almost immediately again and thankfully they were all prepared for it. Even Miles had put on some clothes in order to combat the cold. As Miles had put it, “No amount of magic is gonna stop the goddamn cold coming in” earlier in the day. Alice was wrapped up tight in her furs, watching the countryside slowly fade from green to yellow to eventually being covered in clumps of snow. Alice had never been north before, and she could see the wastes just above the crest of the mountains far off in the distance. They had passed a number of villages along the way, mostly fishing and exporting wild animals that only grew up north. She had some of them were as huge as a house, the furs decorating entire caravans that passed by. A town had started to show itself along the horizon, sticking out quite a lot more than the previous villages they had passed due to its size. The road had would’ve been stone work done on the ground but had been worn down by the harsh winds and constant travellers. The rolled into town and a number of people were out despite the numbing cold. Hopping out of the cart, Miles threw a coat over the horse in order to keep it warm as he fed it hay.

“Time to look around, I ‘ve got a feeling that there’ll be some clues for where we should go to next” Miles said while still feeding the horse

“Roger” Tane replied hopping out of the cart and stretching with a groan. Alice got out of the cart and looked around the town. The outside of the village seemed quite plain and drab. The houses were built using bare timber with its yellow tinge contrasted with the snow topped roofs. Walking along the street there was a shop that caught her eye, shiny stones and rainbow glows attracted her to its front. Glancing inside she could see there was more to see and an odd smell emanated from inside. Going through the doorway, the jangle of the bell signalled her entry into the shop. Browsing through the wares, a number of stones and jewels that glimmered and shone. But none of them attracted her eye, as she glanced along the shop she noticed a painting hanging above the entryway to the back of the shop. It was four figures holding a sphere up that shot out rays of which then grew the land. The colour that rays spewed forth on the land were of the same colour as her hand.

“Can I help you?” a female voice said from behind Alice. Turning around, Alice saw a rather stumpy woman with pulled back white hair. A pair of spectacles decorated the woman’s face and caused the woman’s eyes to enlargen to beyond absurd levels.

“The painting up there” Alice pointed upwards to the shimmering image.

“Most people bear it no mind, but it is a remembrance of when our world was made” the shopkeeper said.

“Then you might be able to help me” Alice said, showing the palm of her hand to the woman. The woman was almost entranced instantly and grabbed both of her hands on Alice’s palm.

“My word, I never thought the day would come” the woman said softly, tracing her fingers over the spot on her palm.

“Stay here, I’ll be right back” the shopkeep said and ran past the curtains to the entryway further into the building. Alice looked around and traced the odd smell coming from the room, a smoking candle was in the corner burning so slowly at the tip. The scent definitely entranced her as it reminded of a slowly dying fire like back at home. The woman came back from behind the curtain and caught Alice’s attention, gesturing her to come to the back with her. Alice passed through the curtain and noticed as she followed the old lady the walls were decorated with the skulls of creatures she had never seen, along with book that seem all seem out of place. She opened a room where a man was sitting quietly with candles surrounding him. Alice walked into the room and sat on the floor while the room closed the door behind them.

“It has been a while since the Pearl has finally risen, Alice” the man said in a deep voice.

“How did you know my name?” asked Alice, watching the man take deep even breaths with his eyes still closed.

“The Lady of Water told us a number of days ago of your coming. You have greatly interested her which is rare in humans these days” he said cracking opening an eye. To Alice the man seemed not quite of this plane, seemingly able to see something other outside of what she could conceive with her eyes.

“Take a seat” the sitting gestured to her and pointed at the ground. Alice sat on the floor as well on the woven mats that decorated the floor.

“What am I supposed to find?” Alice asked, inching closer to the man.

“A question for yourself or for you quest, mmm?” the man breaking his face with a smile.

“The quest obviously” Alice said a bit confused.

“Ah of course, then the course you must take is to the north. The crown of the world awaits your coming” he concluded, closing his eyes again. Alice sat there silently there for a moment waiting for anything more he would say.
for visiting.

“Well, then what about me?” Alice asked.

“You must look inward if you wish to sort the turmoil within your heart” he said wisely.

Alice looked puzzled and stood up from the floor.

“Remember, things are not always as they seem” the man warned. Alice left the room and saw the shop keep waiting outside for her. Nodding silently Alice was led out of the back of the shop and stepped outside into the cold air. She noticed Tane flirting with a couple of woman, of which walked away giggling. Alice walked up to Tane while he scratched the back of his head.

“I just don’t get it” Tane said.

“Get what?” Alice asked.

“I’m sure I told them they were beautiful in their language but they don’t seem to respond like the rest of the girls I know”

“Well you never know, they might just be blushing in the corner as well over your charms” Alice said sarchastically. Tane shot her a scowl and relaxed, Miles returned to the cart with the other two.

“How was the search” Miles asked.

“The lady in the shop over there, gave us some instructions I guess” Alice said.

“Which shop?” Miles responded.

“That one” Alice pointed at but noticed the shop front was no longer there and was instead a piece of solid wall.

“Hmm, I’ve got a feeling that someone out there is guiding my hand. And I don’t like that” Miles said with a hand on his chin.

“A man and a woman were inside, they said go to the crown of the world” Alice said hesitantly. Miles heaved and let out a great sigh.

“Its never easy is it?” Miles complained, Tane grinned in response. The three of them went around and bought supplies for the long trip north, Alice glanced in that direction but all she could see was the mountains that guarded the entrance to the edge of the world.