Tacky Shops and Witches Pt. 2

Following behind Illia, Cress entered the frigid room. Dozens of candles lining the walls of the room flickered to life revealing an assortment of oddities. Some were mundane objects like glass bottles of herbs. Others like the preserving jar of eyeballs were borderline grotesque. Not that any of them were real.

"Name yourself, witch."

"I would think royalty would know it is proper to introduce herself before asking another's name."

The word "royalty" perked Cress's ears and she looked around the room with a new sense of curiosity. She expected the woman to say something vague and generic. So how did she know Illia was royalty?

"I am Quelurillian Il Dansgrian, Fifth Princess of the Southern Sands, Supreme General of The Matriarch's army. Now answer."

"She's acting so aggressive. Does she sense something is off or is she just anxious we won't get any information?"

"Greetings, Princess. And what is your name, pretty lady?"

"Cress," she answered, taken aback. No one had ever referred to her as a pretty lady. It felt like something a grandparent would call their granddaughter.

"It's nice to meet you, Cress. You may call me Yara. And not that introductions are out of the way, why don't you ladies take a seat?"

Cress exchanged a skeptical look with Illia. It was their first lead on finding Illia a way home, but the woman was off putting to say the least. She wore a thin burgundy and gold shirt and skirt with a black floral shawl wrapped around her shoulders, an outfit too thin for the chilly room. Her voice had the deepness of an old woman and the melody of a younger one at the same time. Her face was a similar mixture of undefinable age and it was only due to the grey bun on her head that Cress could even guess the woman's age at all. Still, they took their seats at the small round fortune table.

"What do you desire?"

"If you are truly a witch, you already know," Illia said curtly.

"Knowing something and hearing a request are two separate things. If you desire my assistance, Princess, I suggest you answer my questions with less sass."

"Is this old woman trying to get herself killed? If she knows who Illia is, she should know that Illia can kill her with a flick of her finger. Why is she antagonizing her?"

"Illia…"

"Tell me how to return to my homeland."

The sudden honesty caught Cress off guard. Whatever this woman was, Illia believed her to be the real deal.

"A woman torn from her home by another who was returned to her own. How curious. Yet I wonder, is that really what you want help with?"

"Do not toy with me, Witch." Illia's cold voice emphasized the title. "I am not fond of riddles."

"You've a sharp tongue for someone asking for help," the fortune teller chided. "Perhaps you should seek help elsewhere."

A dark shadow grew behind Illia and her body stretched in her chair. Her fists were clenched tightly and Cress could hear the cracking of her sharp nails digging into her palms.

"Illia!" Cress whispered, nudging her. "Calm down. You said you sensed mana here and this woman knows something. Just play along."

The spidery shadow behind Illia shrank and the tension in her body subsided.

"You keep a tight leash on your spider I see."

"Don't disrespect her," Cress snapped. "Just because she values my opinion doesn't mean I control her. I won't let anyone talk down to her."

"The girl controlled by her fear of spiders defending her enemy!" Yara cackled. "Very well, I've had my fun. I will tell you what I know if you can pay the price."

"The price?" Cress and Illia asked in unison.

"Just small tokens of your faith. I'd prefer sentimental items, but cash will do as well."

"I knew it. Let's go Illia, she's clearly trying to scam us and she can't be the only one in the city who can help."

"…She is," Illia replied in a resigned tone. "I've scoured the city and this is the only place with even a hint of mana."

"Of course it is," Cress sighed. "How much then?"

"Two hundred dollars cash."

"Two hundred?!" Cress's cheeks turned red and her balled fists trembled on her lap. "That's insane!"

"Then provide something of equal value or leave."

"Will this be sufficient?" Illia cut in, setting a bundle of white silk on the table.

"Done," Yara said, eyes wide and eager. Her wrinkled hand shot across the table and snatched the thread. She inspected it for a few seconds then set it to the side. "Then I will proceed with the reading."

With a wave of her hands the dull crystal ball in the center of the table illuminated bright blue, casting deep shadows around the room that Cress swore she could see moving like they were alive.

"Look into the ball, Princess of the Desert. Tell me what you see."

Cress tried to peer into the ball but saw nothing. She glanced at Illia to confirm the scam, but to her surprise all eight of her eyes were staring intently into the glowing orb. The sight made Cress's stomach churn, wave after wave of anxiety wearing at her flimsy courage. She had practiced with Illia a few times, but she'd never been able to look at Illia with her eyes open more than a few seconds before her instincts won out.

"The Southern Sands," Illia whispered. She leaned closer to the crystal ball, squinting her eyes. "My sister… That wretch!" Illia's fists slammed on the table cracking it and causing it to collapse underneath the now floating ball. Yara seemed to be in a trance, oblivious to the destruction leaving only Cress to ponder how much they were going to owe. "She's imprisoned my soldiers!"

"Calm yourself," Yara said in an ethereal voice. "Focus your mind on the task at hand."

Black liquid dripped from Illia's balled fists into the dancing shadows in the room. The room felt like a walk in freezer and Cress hugged her poncho close. A pungent sour scent filled the room making her feel light headed and she only endured because she was afraid of abandoning Illia.

"A flower… The lily!"

"Is it another coin?"

"No… It's… I cannot be certain. It is larger in a place that resembles a dungeon."

The crystal ball flickered and Illia was on her feet, face barely an inch away from it. She was completely mesmerized like a moth to a flame putting Cress on the edge of her seat. The whole situation was ridiculous, from the cryptic old lady to the crystal ball. Still, it was hard to argue when she was seeing it in front of her.

A loud cracking thud filled the room as the ball suddenly dropped from the air, hitting the broken remains of the table and splitting in half. Yara's eyes fluttered and she fell back into her armchair. Illia stared blankly ahead, slumping back like Yara and closing her eyes. She was breathing heavily and her hands were shaking, but she didn't say anything.

"What you seek is in the Heart of the City," Yara said into the dimly lit room to no one in particular. "Seek the heart and you will find your way home."

"Very well," Illia murmured standing up. Her body was stiff and shaky and Cress stepped next to her, letting Illia grab her shoulder for support. "You have my thanks wi- Lady Yara. Your assistance was invaluable."

"Don't mention it," the old woman groaned. She tugged a string dangling in the air beside her that Cress was sure hadn't been there before and the girl from the front desk rushed into the room to her side.

"I'm tired," Illia said wearily as they made their way up from the basement. It caught Cress off guard; Illia had never admitted to being tired before or shown any sign of fatigue. Now she looked frail, like she might topple over and snap in half at any moment.

"Then let's go then," Cress said. "Let's go home."