You know, it’s a lot easier to communicate with a voice. After all, there’s no way to speak with your hands. Maybe I should invent a method. Like a letter for a symbol. I looked at Lily, she was fluttering around me.

“That would be cool. I don’t think there’s anyone who’s actually invented a language.” I had offered her a lollipop, but she turned it down. Something about angels not needing it nor having a sweet tooth.

And you know, I could talk to people, that’s something.

“Hmmm,” she didn’t seem interested.

Currently, we were thirty miles outside of the city in which I grew up. My father used to own the land, he was a baron after all. But after he was removed from his office, a new duke was risen to the status of baron and placed in charge. He was a skinny man, frail and bad tempered. Always ready to challenge another person to a duel.

Honestly, I was glad to be away. There were a lot reasons. For one, I was fulfilling my destiny, which is always exciting. Another was that I was finally travelling. I always told myself I would when I was older, for diplomatic reasons and what not. But It always interested me to see the world. The whole kingdom couldn’t be a desert like this. There must be more to see.

Lily, is there anyone besides me that can see you?

She was silent for a long moment before coming to rest on my shoulder. “Only other chosen ones should be able to see me.” She twirled a piece of my black hair between her fingers. “As well as the overly sensitive.”

What about priests?

“Nah. They don’t believe that angels come down. They think that heaven is close.”

That made sense, given the teachings.

“Oh!” I turned to Lily. “Do you see that? It looks like a caravan. We should join up with them.” She paused for a moment and her eyes got a glassy look. I knew that look, she was seeing something. “Yeah, tell them you’re a seer. They’ll accept you.”

What did you see? And do I need to make another deal in order to talk to them?

“I saw.” She paused, then shook her head to ‘clear the fog’ as she put it, “It was hazy, but I saw warm meals for you and safe passage through the desert. So that’s a plus. But there’s a girl.” She zoomed in close to me, her entire body was the length of my head, “You stay far away from her, there was something not right about her.”

What about the sand beasts? We’re entering their territory.

“Don’t worry about them, the caravan has guards. As long as you fill them in on at least one attack, they’ll keep you around and protect you. After all, a seer is very valuable.”

I nodded.

I approached the caravan, a guard took notice of me. “Look, it’s a lone girl, judging by statute.” He meant to whisper I think, but it seemed that he was a loud speaker. I took a step towards him but he held up his hand. “Halt.” Definitely a loud speaker. “State your business.”

I pulled down my hood and undid my scarf. The wound on my neck was pretty prominent, I was sure he could see it from the distance.

“Ah. Do you have a notepad on you?”

I nodded and he alone approached me. I pulled out the notepad and scribbled down that I was a seer looking for work.

He called for his companion, made him run to get the owner. “I know it’s a waste of paper, but what’s your name?” He looked into my blue eyes, like he could hunt the truth in them. I wrote and showed it to him. “Camellia, huh? You don’t see many of those down this way. One of your parents must have been from the south.” I nodded though I honestly didn’t know.

A overly healthy man joined us, his large belly made me think that he really enjoyed eating.

His voice sounded rather jolly, “So you’re a seer? I could use someone of your talents.” Exactly as Lily had said. “What are your rates?”

I wrote out that just food and protection was enough. I also explained that I would only be with them until the capital, as that’s where I was heading.

The man laughed, “Sounds perfect to me, we aren’t heading this way again until this time next year.” He lead me deeper into the caravan, actually it was quite a chore catching up. I really don’t understand how someone his size was able to jog so quickly. “You came at a good time. We were thinking of hiring someone in Candoes, but we couldn’t seem to find someone.” He looked at me, and then his face looked stricken, “I’m so sorry. I keep assuming you can speak, but you can’t.”

I only nodded. It was hard on both of our parts. I gave him a reassuring smile.

He sighed, “Would you like to ride in the carriage with me? It’ll be best to you can rest and use all your energies on seeing what awaits us.”

“Take it, I’ll keep an eyes out and warn you.”

I nodded again and the man clapped me on the back. “Excellent, by the way, I’m Phillins, the owner of this caravan and many like it. You’re lucky I happen to be with this one. Usually I don’t come out this way at all. I prefer to avoid the desert. It’s very dangerous.” And he talked, and talked, and talked.

I was about to fall asleep when something I could answer was finally said.

“What are you heading to Velaroross for?” I handed him the papyrus sheet bound together. “Oh! You’re going to see the king. Can I ask what for?” He gave it back.

“Just tell him you’re going to be offering your talents to him,” Lily said. She sat on my shoulder.

“Oh!” He looked at the notepad again, just to make sure he was seeing it right, I guess. “You’ve got quite the gift but I’ve heard that the king already has a seer.”

I shrugged, knowing there were ways to get rid of people in the way.

Phillins laughed, “Pretty confident, ain’t ya?”

“There’s a beast heading straight towards us!” Lily screeched in my ear.