Fake Princess
CHAPTER 83
To our right are some of the shorter buildings that have many windows, perhaps the rooms of the nuns and monks who lived here, and the other buildings are almost as grand as the temples.
On the left and back there are practical buildings that are common in any community—kapur, surrounded by vegetable gardens, laundry rooms, stables, and the like. I know the people who live here are not used to the ceremony, and all the inhabitants, except the soothsayer, are required to be able to cook, wash, and sew.
Behind it are several other gardens, then—I can see it because the ground is down south—a cemetery, surrounded by a small iron fence of its own. A monument built with simple and graceful lines stands at the back of the cemetery, closest to the fort.
While observing all of that, a long brown robed young man approached, his face shahdu. “ Welcome to the face of the God Without a Name,” the man said as he cupped both hands and bowed. However, after standing up straight again, his lips revealed a relaxed smile. “ My name is Brother Axon. Can we help you?”
While descending from the saddle, Devan handed his harness to a man wearing a pale-colored robe instead of brown. Devan reached out to help me down, then turned to Brother Axon, and said, “ My name is Lord Aldorick, and this is my sister, Miss Vania.” Devan was silent for a moment, glancing at me at a glance, we had agreed that I should explain our ‘search’.
I smiled, hoping Brother Axon would not see my hands trembling. “ I'm writing a book,”. I hope my voice sounds relaxed and dull. “ An educational treatise on the history of fortune tellers in Siderros. I wish I could talk to the fortune teller, and maybe look through the relic files of the previous fortune teller. The palace library has a complete file up to the twenty-fifth astrologer, but there are not many records regarding the last five seers. I think librarians hesitate to leave the comfort of the city to get the file.” I'm trying to wink conspiracy-filled eyes, but it might just look like I'm flickering.
The monk nodded his head. “ Of course. I don't know if the fortune teller can meet you in person.You know, so many pilgrims came looking for his leads, and he didn't have time to see them all. But I will work on it, and you will definitely meet the chief monk here. He will help your research a lot.”
“ Do you think they'll let us meet him?” I asked after making sure no pilgrims were sitting in this small bedroom.
Devan raises his head while biting his apple. “ If they allow it, what will you do? Directly inquire about the forecast?”
I bent both hands over my lap. I really had no plans, despite having already missed a long ride on horseback and not having to do anything but stare at the road. “ I don't know,” I admit. “ May. Depends.”
“Depends what?
I don't know I'm just gonna follow. It all started from this place. There must be something, a sign. But I didn't even know she was the same fortune teller who made the prophecy about Diana or not.”
Seriate