Stuff, Things and a Chapter!

I was digging around on the Documents on my computer and I found this sitting there. I don't recall writing it, but I continue to go back and look on old ideas and stuff, and continue to surprise myself. I particularly like the mysterious fortune teller woman and I like the setup for the overall plot.

Chapter One

Traios headed down the broad street, whistling absently, weaving his way through the crowds of people and paying them no mind. Passing a fruit stand, he flipped a copper coin in the merchant’s hand and grabbed a piece of fruit, continuing on his way. Tall buildings of brown stone rose high above his head, in the distance he could see the edges of the enormous church that dominated the town and beside it, the somewhat less impressive houses of government. 

He turned down a side street, looking for a particular house. Overhead, the sun was setting and the tall lights began to flicker on, one by one. 

He rapped at the door and a man answered, looking at him warily.

“Yes? What do you want?”

“Greetings. I’m Traios and, ah, I was told to come here and wait.” The man surveyed him skeptically – Traios was painfully aware that he didn’t look like much: he was still young – barely twenty – with a mess of dark hair and eyes, in somewhat frayed clothing worn from long travel. 

“Wait here.” 

            The man disappeared and the door shut again. Traios let out a long breath of annoyance, prowling the narrow alleyway. Well. At least it was clean. A brown and white cat eyed him, before prowling away up the street and out of sight. The door swung open again and the man reemerged. 

“You’re clear. Come on in.” 

He entered into a wide room with a wooden floor and golden lights placed at intervals alongside the walls. It was sparsely furnished, paintings of landscapes hung on the walls. A woman floated in the middle of the room, her eyes closed. 

“Traios, of the Akuar,” she murmured. “I saw you knock at my door twenty years ago. I know what it is you seek.” 

“I…uh, I thought you would,” Traios said. “My father said you were good at predicting the future.”

“Your father is a fine man and I was pleased to know him,” the woman opened her eyes and gently lowered herself to the ground. “However, what you seek is likely to get you slain.”

“I have to do it,” Traios replied. 

“I knew you would say that too,” the woman said simply. “Come.” She left the empty room behind, for another one. Like before, it was spartanly furnished, with a severe looking desk, clear of clutter but for a small bedraggled journal. She pressed it into his hands.

“This is what you’re looking for, I think,” she said. “I went to great lengths to recover that in time for your visit, you know.” 

“This is the journal of the last expedition?” Traios’s eyes went wide. “How did you get this?” 

“A tradeswoman never reveals her secrets,” the woman said, sitting down. “So. Have a look through it, why don’t you?” Traios obeyed while she watched, his heart beating faster and faster in his chest.

“June 17^th. We have found the remains of the old city. Not much to see here – lots of sand, some old foundations. Nothing meaningful. We will keep looking, however. Jules insists that the secret is here somewhere. So much for gods!”

“June 24^th. Digging has turned up an interesting temple – partly preserved. We’ve found corpses buried inside – they were mummified, presumably from the heat. Unpleasant business, this. We will continue to press on with the excavation.”

“June 26^th. Jules has uncovered a simply enormous door of gold and written in the language of the people of the land – or, an older form thereof. The best we can decipher is this the remains of the Great Temple and the gods dwelled here. Beyond these doors are the entrance to their realm and under no circumstances should mortals attempt to open it. Pah on that I say! I care not for silly superstitions.” 

The journal ended there. Traios finished it, feeling odd. The woman watched him, apparently wanting to see the expression on his face. 

“Well?” she asked. 

“I – I don’t know what to think,” he said. “Do you if I’ll succeed or not?” she smiled at him gently.

“Yes. But I can’t tell you that,” she said. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned is that people can’t get caught up in worrying about the future. Then the future doesn’t happen. No, best if you don’t know your own fate.” 

“Okay, so do you know where I should start with planning on this expedition?” the woman considered for a moment.

“You should consult Dr. Halucros, over in Hacel. He’s an expert on the writings of the ancients and might be able to pull a team together.”

“I don’t have any money, though,” Traios said. “Well – okay, a little. But not enough to fund something on this scale.”

“That’s your problem, my dear,” the woman said. She had now taken out a long pipe and begun to smoke it. Red, blue and green smoke puffed out of the end. “I’ve done my part for you – largely for the great friendship I share with your father, but all the same you should be grateful.”

“Oh, I am. You have no idea,” Traios said, rising. “Thank you for all of your help.” He turned, ready to leave. The woman smiled thinly. 

“One last thing,” she called. Traios turned, surprised.

“Good luck on your quest.”