Phyria trudged along the mountain path. Her walking stick splintered more and more with each step. The bottom had started breaking about halfway up the rocky terrain. She thought about how few people had to make it this far for the path to be so wild. Phyria heard thunderous hoofbeats behind her.

A group of warrior men rode up the road on their horses. They looked forward with steadfast gazes and determination. It was like they didn't see more than the destination.

Phyria ducked into the ditch next to the road. The men raced right past her. She was right. They would have run right into her to get what they wanted. They were after the same prize as Phyria, but for completely different reasons.

She thought about her younger sister, Daphne. Daphne was all of 17 years. She had a long life ahead of her, or at least she did. An unscrupulous man with ill intentions paid for a curse upon her when Daphne rejected his affections. He did not deserve her. His crude comments alone proved that. Phyria regretted failing to teach him a lesson that day. Now, Daphne had days to live unless the seers gave a remedy.

A cough came from a bush behind Phyria. She slowly approached the bush and pulled back the branches with caution.

An elderly woman lied on the ground in front of her.

"Oh, dear me. I didn't mean to disturb you," the old woman said.

"No, no. I'm glad I stopped. How long have you been here?"

"Oh, I don't know. A few hours. I felt weak and had to stop for a rest."

"Are you looking for the seers, too?"

"Yes. I want to know that my daughter and her children have a long happy life. She is my everything."

Phyria held out her hand.

"Well, this place is not very kind. How about we stick together."

The old woman took Pnyria's hand.

"I would enjoy that."

The two walked farther up the mountain.

​

Phyria and the old woman approached the top of the mountain. The warriors from earlier sat at the summit. The anger emanating off of them was palpable.

"Let me handle this," Phyria said.

She walked to the most decorated warrior of the group.

"Did you find the seer?"

"There is no seer. Look," The man said.

He pointed to an engraving on a stone.

Seek the truth through kindness. Seal your doom with blindness.

Phyria felt her heart fall out of her body. She had come so far for nothing. She turned back to the woman.

"What is it, dare?" She asked Phyria.

"There's nothing here. I need to get back to my sister now."

"Oh, no. I'm sorry you came all this way."

Phyria closed her eyes and shook her head. "I won't dwell on what could have been."

"Oh, Phyria, when you get back to Daphne, give her some cillianberries and lion's root in some warmed wine. It does wonders for an ailing body."

Phyria furrowed her forehead in surprise.

"How did you know her name?"

She opened her eyes and the old woman was gone. Phyria started to run back down the path.