Strena Youngest Bounty Hunter Arc Part Four

The Prophecy Of

The Lost Oracle

Strena looked at the board. She wondered what she should get. After all, she did not want to get one that will inevitably lead to someone's death. She looked around the board and spotted a job that she knew that would lead to a death, however there was something that had told her that she should pick that one. She did not know why but she just could not shake the overwhelming desire to take it. She also had this strange thought that if she did take it then she would know something important by the end.

Find The Lost Oracle

2000 lapis & 300,000 Rubies

Last seen in the city of

Cupurucus three days before

this was sent out.

She took it before she could even have another thought walked back to the table and she showed it him. His eyes lit up as he drank his second beer. He gave it back to her and smiled.

“Sounds interesting. Can't wait to see where this one leads.” he said.

“Why's that?”

“What? Can't I be a little curious?” he asked.

“Not if you're a killer like you.” she sighed.

“Each to their own as they say.” he sighed and finished his beer. “Now, I think that you aught to get packing., after all sooner we get this over and done with the sooner you can get paid.”

“And the sooner I can become a bounty hunter.” she said.

“Speaking of which, how old are you?”

“Wait, you're asking this now?” she asked slightly outraged that he was taking an interest in her age now that he had been living with her only a year.

“Yes, why not?”

“I'm six now!” she shouted.

His eyes widened in shock but he quickly hid it.

“So you were five when you made your vows.” he muttered to himself.

“Yes!”

He smiled.

“Wow! You're going to be the youngest bounty hunter beating that ten year old four years ago!” he exclaimed.

Her eyes widened at that.

“Really?”

“Yes” he said. “Now, time for us to go an pack.” he said.

This truth had blown her mind as she went to her room and packed everything that she knew that she had needed.

They were soon on the road and walked for a long time and after a long journey on a ship they soon came to the city. It looked so beautiful with pillars and many grape vines and olives. And the people dressed in white and blue robes held up with circular broaches.

“This place-” she said breathlessly.

Then a man dressed in lilac with a single silver broach pulling two silver horses pulling a black wood carriage.

“Are you the bounty hunters from the Sand Planes?” he asked.

“How did you know?” Strena asked.

“I am Panduss and these are the horses that the Lost Oracle has bought for you. They are Jason and Homer.” he said.

“How?”

“She's and Oracle. She saw us coming.” he explained as he got in. She then pulled her up and she sat next to him.

“Now they know where they are going so, all you need to do is stop at the village inn.” he said. “May the gods be with you!”

Well, if she had she seen us coming, then that would mean that she must know who I am. If so then I know that Zaryb will kill her.

They soon came to a small rural village with houses and huts doted all around. Then as night started to fall the horses stopped in front of the only inn called Mask Of The Royal. Where they, yet again found out that everything was provided for them.

“It seems like she really knows the future!” she exclaimed when they were eating breakfast. She was drinking grape juice and he was drinking red wine.

“Yes, she does...” he muttered as he drank and eat. “Makes you wonder...”

His eyes rested on her. It was all too clear that he was wondering the exact same thing that she was; did she know who she was. If so then they were not getting their money. She looked aside as she felt the dread knowing that, if she did kn ow then she would see him kill again and there was nothing that she could do about it.

She hated the fact that she was so young after all, if she was older then she would be able to stop him for doing that. If she was older and more experienced then she would be able to fight him on the same level that he was fighting. If she was older and had more training then she would be able to fight him with the same inhuman speed and power.

She nodded.

“I know.” she said as she finished her meal and drank her juice and he finished his wine.

They were about to pay but the inn owner shook his hands.

“No, your food's already been paid for!” he said.

Zaryb smirked.

“It seems that this Lost Oracle has saved us a lot of time and money.” he said.

“Yes! It has.”

They climbed in their carriage and then the horses were back on the road. They continued until they came to a small circular hut that could only be the size of one room. It had a cone thatched roof that was darkened by time. The walls were white and the circular wall was bumpy and uneven. It had a black wood door.

They were about to knock on the door but the door opened revealing an old lady dressed in cotton and wook.

“Just on time! Come on! Come in!” she ushered as she took hold of their hands and pulled them in. It was all too clear that she was strong for an old woman. She soon closed the door.

They saw the kettle which was whistling.

“Ahh! Finally!” she said as she raced over to the kettle. She then poured the hot water into the three cups before they took their seats. She stirred and then put the wooden cups on a tray with biscuits on a wooden plate and walked over to the low table. She lowered the tray and then placed it on the table.

They looked at it and Strena took the cup that was closest to him and as she took a sip. Then Zaryb followed suit. She took a biscuit and he took one.

“So could you tell me, why did you put out a job to find you?” he asked with eagle eyes.

“Because I had to talk to you.” she said.

“First Prince Zaryb, this will not end the way that you intend and she will know the truth when you meet the enemy turned friend.” she said.

He raised his eyebrow.

“Really?”

“I am not done, for she will not be the one to kill you but she will be the cause your death.” she said.

He looked at her and as she saw a melancholy look in his eyes.

“But the nightmare that your brother put your through will end in that final breath.”

He suddenly looked vulnerable and almost sorrowful. Suddenly Strena felt sorry for him, but she still could never bring herself to let her heart go out to him. He did kill her parents after all.

“Now, Princess Arielsa, the one who shall guide the death of the gods, your kingdom shall never rise again.” she said.

What? That's a lie!

“Keep those thoughts in your mind like a fish is kept by the rod. For those thoughts will keep you from going insane.” she said.

“What?” she asked confused.

“When you return to your old home, you will choose to roam, when that times comes you will know why, then it will be time to let go of your grief and cry.” she said.

She frowned at that. Then she finished her tea. She put the cup down. She closed her eyes and then she found herself walking down the halls of her pyramid castle. The halls seemed smaller somehow. She walked down them passing her old room and looked down she suddenly felt a taste of nostalgia. She then turned and walked into her parents room, almost like she knew that this was where she should be going. She then walked in and then walked to the bed where she saw a man. She could not make out his image and took out a knife and slit his throat, almost like it was of little importance.

She then left and then she walked out of the pyramid only to be greeted by her kingdom covered in blood. She woke up screaming.

“What?” he asked.

She told him her dream. He looked at her as if he knew more that he would admit or was letting on as he looked in the cup. He then sniffed and his eyes widened.

“Mandrake tea...Judging by the purple colour it was grown in the purple rivers of Noisivemet.” he said.

“What?”

“Oh, plants grown there seemed to have the power to give people visions of key events in their lives.” he said as he looked at her with a hint of depression in his eyes.

“Hay where is she?”

They looked around but saw nothing. They looked down at the table where their money was.