Crystal Traveler

If felt good to sit and eat after their long day’s ride out of O’ban. They still had another day to go before reaching the location where Ta-rel could plant the crystals for the earthquake sensor net, but it was a refreshing change to be away from Atlantis. As they ate, several more individuals joined those in the tavern, including a tall man wearing a dark-green robe with silvery-white hair similar to Lyra’s. He took a stool by the bar and pulled a harp-like instrument out of nowhere from his robes. After a few tuning plucks, he began to play a gentle but complex tune softly in the background. Lyra smiled. “Nice. Sounds like a melody I heard long ago.” Subdued conversations continued as the harpist played his tunes. He kept glancing over at Lyra from time to time, as if he couldn’t stop himself staring at her. Eventually, looking directly at Lyra, he launched into a haunting melody and began to sing with a rich resonant voice. . . . The haunting music ended and a small smattering of applause followed as the bard stood up and took a small bow. Fetching his own tankard from the bar, he secured his instrument inside his robes and made his way between the patrons to their table. “My lady, lord, may I sit and converse with you a moment?” Lyra, startled but smiling graciously, nodded and gestured to the empty chair. “Please, we are honored.” He took the offered chair then responded, “No, it is I who is honored to sit with you, High Priestess Lyra. I am known as Bra-ghi, of late a traveler in this wide world, but I will never forget you, lady, the one who led the first spring ritual of my youth. An experience of creation and unity I will never forget.” He gave a respectful bow toward Lyra. “Thank you, Bra-ghi. But please, call me lady here. We are trying to keep a low profile while traveling through these regions. And may I introduce Master Builder Ta-rel, whose business for Atlantis is what brings us to Scotia.” Bra-ghi nodded his regard to Ta-rel, noting the heads of the serpent tattoos that extended out from his leather sleeves then turned to speak to both of them, his smile wide as his deep voice rumbled. “Pardon me for saying so, but you have as much chance of keeping a low profile as a band of marauding giants.” Ta-rel choked on the sip of mead he was swallowing while trying not to laugh. Bra-ghi nodded again. “It might be better to not hide your identities. Use the respect and awe you engender to move gracefully through Scotia.” Lyra hedged. “Perhaps, though we don’t anticipate meeting many people beyond this inn for the remainder of our journey.” “Heading off into the highlands alone?” Bra-ghi gave each of them a penetrating gaze in turn. When they didn’t respond, he continued, “These are wild and untamed lands, my lord, my lady. Rumors are circulating of recent unrest among the local giant populations—some believe the berserker giants are preparing war against their more peaceful brothers. Plus, as a seer, I am sure you too see the other growing signs of approaching turmoil and turbulence. Now is not the safest time to undertake a journey. I trust your business is of great import.” Lyra nodded. “Thank you for your wise counsel. But we will not be traveling farther than a day from here . . . How much trouble can we get into? And yes, I too see those signs—it is part of why we are making this trek. I have seen a dark horizon approaching for us, yet as you know as a seer yourself, the future is made up of potentials. I will always continue to put energy into changing or mitigating the darkest of the potentials I have foreseen.”