Seer of Souls

More info, next chapter I hope to have a bit of action though I
can't promise it, action is hard to write.

Thank you everyone has has read this story so far, also I want to
think my reviewers, I'm glad you like the story.

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The months passed, the cave steadily filled with fruit and
vegetables that they picked, with the slabs of meat that had been
dried and salted for the long winter. The house was finally finished
as the first snows of winter came, the people rushing to move what
little they had salvaged into it before they froze. There were no
beds, bales of straw had been layered on the floors of the one room
house, one wall was filled with a brick fire place that they had all
worked to build, taking the bricks from the burnt houses to do so.

Tanait had her hands full, teaching the children the basics that
they would need to control their gift, even though Tantait had no
gift of her own she was adept at teaching others about it, as the
elder had trained her to. Tanait was filled with worry for her
friend, Salla spent most of the time practicing with a wooden sword,
performing the basic exercises that each village child was taught.
Everyone had found something to take their minds of their loss,
though Salla seemed to be preparing for something. Tanait had the
feeling that what she was preparing for would take her far away.

Winter moved slowly for all, but like all things it came to an
end. Spring thaw descended, the snow clearing away.

Salla had came forward on the first day of snow, she had something
important to tell them.

“Grandfather, I want to take a journey.” Salla said,
her voice firm, her eyes hard. She sat in the center of the house,
her hands clenched on her knees.

“A journey? A journey to where?” The elder said, he
showed no surprise, he had been expecting this for some time.

“Anywhere, everywhere.” Salla said.

“Why? Why do you want to leave?” The elder replied in
turn.

“To find out why the solders came, who sent them.”
Salla said, her voice quivering with emotion.

“Hmmmm,” the elder said, he looked Salla over, seeing
the resolve in the set of her mouth and eyes, the determination in
her to find the answers to her questions,”very well, very well
my dear. ve tve two things for you before you leave and some small
wisdom from when I traveled myself. In the corner by the fire place
is a cloth wrapped bundle and a metal box, bring them here.”

Salla stood and went to the corner, the cloth had many burn spots
and was a gray color, it was the size of her arm and heavy when she
picked it up. The box was heat warped and blackened, small and light.
She carried them over to the elder who took them into his arms. He
held them briefly before slowly unwrapping the bundle,”This
belonged to my son, he left it with me when he passed away, as he had
no children of his own.” he said, his eyes hazy with tears as
he recalled old memories. The cloth fell away to reveal a battered
scabbard holding a short sword.

He carefully held the sword out, inviting Salla to take it. Salla
gently lifted the sword into her arms. The elder pulled out a key
which had a leather thong laced through it so that it could hang from
his neck, he fit the key in the box, opening it with a creak from the
hinges, inside were several pieces of yellow paper and a cracked
leather pouch, he withdrew the pouch and set the box aside. The elder
gestured for Salla to hold out her hand, which he took in his old and
withered one and dumped the contents of the pouch into her hand, it
contained many metal coins, gold and silver and bronze and steal,
Salla's breath caught, she had never seen so much money before.

“You can use these, haven't got any use for them anymore.”
The elder told her, his faded blue eyes sad.

Salla looked up at him, startled,”I can? All this for me?”

“Yes, my dear, for you.” the elder replied,”I
have little information on the outside, but what I do know is this;
There are many gifted in this world, as such there are also many
magic users as well. The gifts and magic go to anyone, so there are
bad and good people like us out there. Magic users are gifted as
well, but only in small amounts. Be careful, not everyone will accept
you, not all gifted will want you near.”

“Alright, grandfather, but, how can I tell who is magic?”
Salla asked, her forehead wrinkled in puzzlement as the hand
containing the money fell to her lap.

“I can't answer that, child, as I don't know.”

Salla was si at at this, her mind whirled at the idea that other
gifted might not like her, she had always thought that other gifted
liked having those like them near.

“Come, let us sleep now, you must get up with the sun to
begin your journey.” the elder said, his voice firm.

Salla nodded slowly and made her way to her blanket that lay on
the hay, she set the sword beside her with the pouch and laid down.
As soon as her head hit the hay she fell asleep. dre dreams were
chaotic and confused, full of fiery and bloody images.

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Tanait stared at the cross beams of the ceiling, her thoughts
dwelling on the changes of the day, Salla was leaving, Salla who was
her best friend sense they were toddlers, was leaving the village.
For the first time in her life she would be without her best friend
to talk to, her best friend to help her. It was unnerving. Such a new
and disturbing idea, Tanait worried. Would she be able to do it? To
stand on her own? Would she be strong enough without Salla? Tanait
didn't know if she could do it, but she knew she had to try.

Tanait swore to herself she would be strong, so that when Salla
returned she would be proud of her. Salla was only leaving physically
after all, some part of Salla would always remain in the village.

Tanait closed her eyes and fell asleep, her dreams many and
varied. She saw her friend die, saw her return in a billowing gown
and jewels in a gold embossed carriage. She saw memories of the past
and illusions of the future. She saw herself falling.

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Morning came too soon for all. Today was the day one of them would
be leaving, perhaps never to return. The villagers had put together a
sack full of what supplies they could spare. Food and water, a knife,
plate and cup, an old battered pan. Salla stood in her breeches and
tunic, her thread bare cloak drawn tight across her shoulders. She
felt fear, she was entering a whole new world; full of unknown
dangers and many mysteries. She felt though that this was right.
Something that she needed to do.

Salla hugged everyone, promising to send spirit messages often,
promising to tread carefully. She said farewell to them, her eyes
misted with tears as she listened to well wishes and pleas that if it
became to much out there for her to return home. Salla slowly walked
down the path that would lead out of the village, she fought the urge
to turn around, knowing that if she did she would run right back.

Her journey begun, she felt scared and alone, though she still
felt deep within that she must continue on.

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Reviewing helps me write faster, I know that people want to read
more. Also I want constructive criticism too, it helps my writing
improve.