Page 36 of A War of Crowns

Seraphina could have so easily become lost within the depths of the other woman’s quicksilver gaze, swept away like a leaf floating upon the surface of a tranquil pond. Even from that distance, she could feel the peacefulness the prophetess exuded.

And when the Oracle spoke for the first time, that tranquil pond was still not disturbed. Her voice was but a murmur, a shush of gentle sound—like the rustling of the wind through a tree’s boughs. And yet it somehow filled the entirety of the vaulted roomwhen she declared, “I have come with good tidings, Your Majesty. And a gift from the Lord on High Himself.”

“A gift?” Duke Percival echoed, leaning forward in his seat. “You honor us beyond measure, Sister.”

A gift from the Lord Himself.

Such news should have filled Seraphina with awe. But rather than awe, she found her heart flooded with a sudden sense of dread when she heard the Oracle’s strange voice unfurl forth yet again. Though this time, it did not ghost through the air between them. This time, the other woman’s voice was…elsewhere.

It was within Seraphina’s very mind.

All of Avirel is in grave danger, Your Majesty.

A ragged breath shuddered its way into Seraphina’s lungs as she flicked a sidelong glance first to her right and then to her left. But both Duke Percival and Father Perero had eyes only for the Oracle. They did not seem to have heard.

No one seemed to have heard.

She didn’t know an Oracle could do that. The Scriptures made no mention of it.

Mysai will soon be lost, and all of Avirel after, if we do not act…

Mysai? Seraphina dug her blunted fingernails into the arms of her throne. Still, Mysai lay quiet. It had now been weeks since last she'd heard any news.

Until now.

“I also wished to beg leave of Your Majesty to reside here in Goldreach for a time—” Oracle Tsukiko continued aloud, evenas her voice still skimmed along the outer reaches of Seraphina’s thoughts.

But do not be afraid.

“—so that I and my Redguard might then journey with you to the peace summit you are planning.”

The future is never written in stone.

Seraphina’s heart thundered within her chest as the throne room erupted into a cacophony of yet more whispers. She had yet to announce the peace summit. She had yet to even invite Drakmor to take part in it.

And yet, the Oracle had known.

But of course shewouldknow. She was an Oracle.

Swallowing hard, Seraphina continued to stare at the Kunishi woman. She struggled to think of what to say for all of a moment before she finally asked, “Why are you telling me this?”

Duke Percival flashed her a queer look. The question surely made no sense to one who had not heard the warning delivered up to her own thoughts. But she had to know. She had to knowwhythe Lord had sent the Oracle all that way to tellherall of Avirel was in danger.

What could she possibly do about it?

It was the Oracle’s Shield who next spoke, though, when he announced, “Oracle Tsukiko requests permission to approach the throne, to bestow her gift—a blessing from the Lord.”

I will show you,the Oracle answered the posed question within her thoughts instead.If youare willing to See.

Again, Seraphina tried to swallow against the rising lump in her throat. Her mouth was dry. Her fingers shook. “I don’t understand,” she admitted aloud.

To which Duke Percival immediately muttered, “Neither do I.”

Now her godfather was watching her rather than the Oracle before the dais.

She could only shake her head at him, though. How could she possibly explain to him what was happening when she herself didn’t know?

With a renewed shimmering of bells, Oracle Tsukiko rose to her feet. “I will bestow upon you a blessing of knowledge,” she explained.

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