An Old Woman's Prophecy (Part 6)
The sun cracks through a clouded haze
sweltering increase the day wanes
sweat starts to drip down my spine
we near the south wall trees aligned
obscured by long grass and camouflage enchantment
creeping vines snake and branch up the wall
guard tower high above waits to signal
you open a pouch and pull a tiny vial
sprinkle the powder into a small circle
light the mystic flame with short verse
floating barriers emerge encircling the village
translucent violets pink and gold
warping and vibrating around the perimeter
concentration pulsing outward to meet the edge
notice floating magic objects visible loci
"Look that one's for detecting transformations!"
your eyes flash in excitement
intoxication for the novel
"See that black one there with the eye blinking?"
"That one spots the movements of men. Is it winking?"
you giggle and relieve some of my hardened tension
We find a gap where object's limited vision
only healing enchantments detected
cancel our camouflage and cast a small portal
we move through and appear inside
the ward fails to alert the guard
hanging low to the ground
we keep to building corners and shadows
hair matted beads of sweat percolate
mental map of the terrain
imprinted in the minds eye
we pass a gigantic cistern
people drawing some clear cool water
a girl looks our way and whispers
we tense for a possible discovery
she giggles
points at a boy nearby
he laughs and trips
then runs to her side
we continue moving along the edges
heading toward unsure destination
seek the sorcerers temple compound
waiting for guards to make the rounds
in between the wards cast selective spells
I form a rune sigil and whisper into the heat
the buildings near our feet
become translucent
spot many people moving about within house walls
trying to live oppressed lives
courageous hearts
joy and dignity stand tall
we move deeper into the town
suddenly a guard wheels around
begins plodding our way spear high mouth a frown
see an old woman in a nearby hut beckon
she stares off into the distance tracking
we duck inside
she ushers us into a corner
the guard looks in from the beneath the door frame
"Seen anything mysterious old woman?"
his face is leering
She declines and claims she's blind
points towards her eyes above dark age lines
the guard snickers and moves away
she turns our way and expounds a hidden tale
prophecy written on a tattered scroll
she unravels and reads in a creaking tone
speaks of two brave souls
come to release the land
from evil personage dark woes
brushing aside hanging herbs
a candle burns in the corner
scent of incense and myrrh
she produces a magic formula
written on a piece of antler bone
"cast this spell and invisible you shall remain
despite wards guards or any other thing
your souls will enter the dark plane
don't let your minds go insane"
she hands it over and we join hands
chant the lines again and again
suddenly our bodies shake and quiver
a fatigue sudden delivered
I grasp for a nearby bench
reality bends and shifts
gains a dark edge
we stand in a silent euphoria
I try to grasp your hand
only pass through air instead
wonder why we don't sink through the floor
yet we seem to hover slightly
just above the fertile earth lightly
feel a cold tremor and creeping mirth
my legs cease to function true
I think to move toward you
hovering a little closer
I almost topple over
you give an amused smile
lips with blackening edges
an aura of eternal absence pulses slowly
suddenly you disappear
though I can sense your presence there
a magic stream of smoke appears
lazily drifting out the door
some kind of ethereal marker
the woman motions us to follow its path
we bid her well and move out through the walls
like ghostly enlightened foes
can't see you though I know you're with me
walk right past a guard
picking his nose
headed on our mission of retribution
move past a villager union
putting the spokes on a carriage wheel
see a bright blue light in the distance
with courageous resolution
we alight like moths
toward light entranced swooning.