“Astera!” my mother exclaimed. “I apologise. I don’t know what’s come over her—”
“It’s alright,” the huntress replied, silencing her. “It’s only natural that Astera would have doubts, given that she isn’t sure yet what to expect. I can tell you it isn’t as limiting as you might think. Our oracles are valued for their wisdom and knowledge, and it’s a life where you will be treated well by most people. You can help others, including members of the Emperor’s court, and I promise you that you won’t be limited to a single building. You can still visit your family here in the district on occasion, but you will be asked to dress normally when you do, so the people won’t know you’re an oracle.”
“I didn’t know I could still see my family,” I admitted. It surprised me and I wondered then where I’d got the impression I couldn’t see them at all. I thought it was something my brother had said, about how I wouldn’t have time for the ‘little people’ anymore. He wasn’t an expert, even though he acted like he was at times.
“Yes, of course you can,” Veria confirmed. “It’s not a prison.”
I still wasn’t sure about that, but it changed my viewpoint for the better. I knew my life would still have limitations but perhaps not so many as I feared.
“You have the next four days to think about the changes to come and take some time out in the world for yourself. You cannot be prosecuted for any crimes in the city of Korlas from this point on, other than murder or treason. It means you are immune to most laws, though we expect you to abide by them all the same. There is one proviso regarding the next four days: you must take a guardian with you. If anyone tries to harm you, he will attack them to protect you. Other than that, he won’t interfere with you undertaking your journey.”
“I’m not sure about the journey,” I admitted. “Where should I go? Do I need to travel somewhere in particular?”
“You don’t have to go anywhere if you don’t want to. It doesn’t need to be a physical journey, but rather a mental or spiritual one. Take some time out in the world for yourself, and on the fifth day, come to the temple for the ceremony.”
I knew that if I didn’t, the other oracles would have no trouble finding me. Their power was legendary. I assumed the guardian would ensure I complied.
“What if I choose not to become an oracle?” I asked, ignoring the shocked look on my mother’s face. She obviously didn’t want me to reject their offer.
“You won’t,” the huntress replied. “It’s already been foreseen.”
I pushed down a slight feeling of frustration, because it felt decided already. I knew I’d had a say in that decision, but I reserved the right to change my mind. I assumed the huntress was probably right that I would go through with it, but I didn’t know for sure.
“It will be alright,” the huntress reassured me. Her smile was soft, and told me I didn’t have anything to worry about.
I wanted to believe her. It was just tough not knowing what the future held and if I’d like it, which was ironic to say the least.
“Would you like to meet your guardian now?” she asked. “It might seem unnecessary to you now, but your gift will paint a target on your back. There are those who might wish to use your gift for their own ends or sabotage you, so you can’t help the people who seek your guidance. You mustn’t let them, Astera.”
It seemed something that would feed into my hesitance about the role, but in truth it only made me feel more curious. I wanted to know who those people were, while avoiding them completely at the same time.
“I won’t,” I promised her. As strange as that promise seemed when spoken aloud, I meant it.
“Your guardian will protect you for more than the next four days if you want him to. If you wish to retain his service, he can protect you for the rest of your life. He is making a similar commitment and sacrifice to your own, in order to serve you. While it might not seem so, he has feelings as surely as you do.”
She had to go and say that. I rebelled against the idea of a guardian at first, because I didn’t want a protector watching me; it seemed like it would defy the point of having four days to myself. I knew I must though in preparation for the ceremony, as it was tradition. If I was going to become an oracle, it was something I would need to do. And apparently my guardian had feelings, so I shouldn’t seem ungrateful.
I wasn’t really; I just wasn’t handling this situation especially well and I knew it.
“I understand,” I said, even though I didn’t feel all that understanding at the time. “I agree to let the guardian watch over me... within reason.”
I let Veria make of that what she would. It sounded as though I would be given more options than I’d initially thought, and I took a deep breath. As it was, my freedoms were limited by my parents, but that was the way of the world.
“I’ll go get him then. I won’t be long,” she promised.
When the huntress was gone, I dodged the scolding look from my mother.
“Opportunities like this one don’t come along every day, especially for people like us, Astera. You should treat it with the respect it’s due and don’t let it slip away.”
I couldn’t help but grimace when she chided me, as though I was nothing more than a child. What made it worse was that I knew there was truth in her words. It was a rare opportunity that few people ever had.
“You would feel differently if you were in my place and your whole world was changing,” I told her.
I
