“Eh, you get used to them. These aren’t my heaviest earrings, anyway,” Kire said with a shrug as she took the leftover cake with her on the way out. When she felt the chilly air she hissed softly, though she grinned when he spoke about dinner. “Pork dinner in a week,” she confirmed. They made their way to the caves, Kire already wishing they were still wrapped up in blankets back at his bed. “Does having a world literally next door take away some of the mystique?” she wondered aloud as they made their way to the gate.
Once they entered the door that would lead them to the gate, she stopped and turned to him. “See you in seven days then.” She paused, contemplating something, then leaned and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Grinning, she stepped back and stepped through the gate.
Once she stood in the middle of the Seers Chamber, Kire stood still, a smile on her face. The butterflies were back, and she sighed, shaking her head, feeling rather foolish at how girlish she was. She really wished she didn’t have to go to work today. But with a sigh, she turned to head to the door, about to reach the handle, when she stopped. She was wearing armor, and the cake was gone from her other hand. Behind her, a blue light glowed, casting shadows that flickered in front of her. Kire pursed her lips and turned.
“I was wondering when you’d show up,” she said in greeting to the Seer that stood in front of her. As always whenever They made Their appearance, They were wearing white robes that partly obscured Their androgynous features. “Though, to be frank, I was also hoping it wouldn’t be so soon after I had just fought a war and put my country back together.”
“The worlds don’t stand still for us, young Paladin,” They answered, though not sternly. Kire could almost read pity into the voice, but she’d long ago stopped trying to assume Their intentions. The Seer pointed at the gate beside them. “You have set things in motion, and it would do for you to be aware and prepared.”
“What things?” Kire looked at the gate. At the moment, she couldn’t see the caves on the other side. “Is there something or someone coming through the gate?”
“Something is coming through, but not through the gate. Not the way you think.” The Seer folded Their hands back into Their robes. “With the opening of this gate through the Tower, you and your friends have put a crack into the Old Sleep under which the magic of Amria had been slumbering.”
Kire’s eyes widened. “What does that mean?” she breathed. “Are you saying magic is coming back up to the surface?”
The Seer nodded. “It is a small crack—but steel yourself, and use the remainder of your rule to ready Amria for what may come.”
“What would we expect?” Kire asked, not in the mood for the cryptic speech.
“It is hard to say. But everyone knows, or has the memory of their ancestors, of the Old Age. Use that to guide you.”
Kire looked at the gate again. Will they be in danger? Will my family be in danger? “How much of this have you foreseen? Or planned?” she muttered, looking back, but the Seer had disappeared. She was still standing in the middle of the room in her dress, the cake in her hands. When she looked at the gate again, she could see the other side. “Fuck.”
