The world was vibrant in the evening. Soon-to-be-fading sunlight turned the wide oak leaves a golden yellow, leaving a dancing pattern of shadows across the ground. A gentle, warm wind wrapped around the thick trunks and seeped through the dry grass. It wasn’t as brilliant as the early morning, but the near-dusk had a sort of… elegance about it that wasn’t as striking any other time of day.

Nora allowed her eyes to wander across the scene for a moment longer before turning back to the road. The breeze brushed her back, pushing her dark black hair forward and twisting it around her face. Huffing in annoyance, she grabbed it and held it down with one hand, lengthening her stride toward the squat buildings that made up the town.

No one bothered her as she made her way through the cobbled streets. In fact, no one said anything to her at all, or did anything to draw her attention. As usual.

It just shows what a sorry crowd we have here, if honesty really scares them that much.

She stopped in front of an old but sturdy door. Like the building it was a part of, it was crafted from tan oak wood, sanded on the edges so that it fit relatively neatly into the frame. As fine a piece of craftsmanship as one could get in a farming town no one ever visited except for to make brief transactions. Or to pass through on their way to the residence of Lord Leneha just up the hill.

Nora knocked twice.

The door opened, and an elderly man’s head poked out. When he saw Nora, his face took on a momentary look of fear before he pulled it into a nervous smile. “Miss Sefares. How may I help you?”

Nora sighed. “Good evening, Sir. I’m just wondering how much progress you’ve made on the cart.”

His face went stricken. “I… well… I-”

“It’s fine if you’re behind schedule,” Nora said, raising her hands and trying to calm the poor man down.

“Well, the truth is… I haven’t really…”

She gave him a tired look. “You haven’t started it yet.”

“Well… no,” he said sadly, cringing like he was waiting for a blow.

It was frustrating to say the least. Not the fact that he hadn’t started the cart, but the response to her presence. She hadn’t even asked a question yet in the conversation, and the man still felt like he was being unfairly compelled to be honest — something which Nora thought he should do anyway. Everyone always blew her power way out of proportion.

She supposed that was what fear did, but she didn’t think they should be afraid of her in the first place. All she could do was make people tell her the truth.

It had taken everyone — including Nora — a good while to figure out. But once they did… well, Nora’s life got a whole lot quieter.

“Will you please start it tomorrow?” she asked the man. Now she was asking a question, but she didn’t bother using her power on it. This sort of question wouldn’t work as well.

“Yes, of course, Miss Sefares,” he stammered.

“Thank you, Sir.” Knowing he wanted her gone as soon as possible, she turned and continued down the street. The door slammed shut behind her.

Nora let out a long breath, closing her eyes. The breeze was barely present in the narrow street, and the little there was did nothing to make her feel better. I’ll stop by the inn. Maybe Teslan will talk to me. They weren’t really a ‘friend’ per say — more of a neutral acquaintance — but that was more than could be said of the rest of the town.

She made her way to the inn quickly, and ordered a table in the section she knew Teslan served. When they saw her sitting alone at her table, they smiled and came over. “Nora. How have you been?”

“Not great,” she confessed. “I paid for a cart to be built two weeks ago, but he still hasn’t got around to starting it. And every time I ask he gets all nervous, and I feel like it’s just become a rotten situation for both of us, but nothing’s going to change if he doesn’t start the cart!” She let out a breath.

Teslan sighed sympathetically. “That sucks. What are you getting a cart for, though?”

“So I can get out of here sometimes is all,” Nora explained. “I know the area from here to Lord Leneha’s keep by heart, and I’d just like to go a little further.”

“Makes sense,” they said. “Do you want anything to drink?”

“I’m alright,” she told them. “Just wanted to talk. How have you been?”

“Pretty good, thanks. It’s nice to have some more customers in here, now that it’s early spring.” They chuckled. “I’ll enjoy it until I come to my senses and realize how much nicer it was before.”

“And so the cycle repeats,” Nora joked. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it, though.”

“Yeah, it’s nice having something to do. And nice to get paid.”

They both paused awkwardly for a moment.

“Well, I’ve got to go serve the other customers,” Teslan said. “Take care of yourself.”

“I will. You too.” Nora watched them walk away toward another table. They really were kind to her, but she always felt it was more out of pity than because they actually cared about what she had to say. Shaking her head, she glanced around, looking for anyone in here that might be of interest.

“Visitors at the gate?” someone asked at a nearby table. “At this time of day?”

“They said they’re just passing through,” another person said. “But I don’t believe it. One of them looks like some sort of fighter.”

A fighter coming to our town in the evening? That can’t be good. Nora raised her hand to call Teslan back over.

“What?” they asked when they reached her.

“I want to go see what’s going on with the ‘visitors’.”

They made a face. “Why? They’re probably just passing through.”

“Did you not hear what those people were just saying?” Nora asked in annoyance, waving a hand at said people.

“Do you make a habit of listening to other people’s conversations?”

“What? I- No,” Nora snapped, then groaned, putting her head in her hands. “I swear I’m not like that, I just happened to overhear them.” But she knew they wouldn’t be convinced. As much as they tried to get along with her, they didn’t trust her power any more than anyone else did.

She let out a long sigh. “Sorry for getting worked up. I’m just going to look really quick, okay? I won’t get in any trouble.”

Teslan sighed as well. “Alright. I’ll be here.”

Nora gave them a half smile, then stood up and hurried out of the inn. She walked quickly through the streets, trying not to let her interest get the better of her. It’s probably actually nothing. But if I could make use of my abilities to help FelSar, that’d be fantastic too.

Once she was in sight of the main road leading into the town, she retreated slightly into a side street, peeking out. Sure enough, two people had just entered through the gates and were being pestered by the ‘village guard’ — a handful of excitable teens who were given pointy sticks and told to ward off anyone unwanted.

As she watched, though, the guards calmed down, giving the visitors their space. One of the two turned and motioned to a horse, who pulled a cart through the group of guards, stopping next to the visitors.

Is that a power? Nora knew powers weren’t tremendously rare, but it was still interesting to see new ones, especially since no one else in FelSar had one quite as potent as hers.

Curious, she moved out from her concealed spot, walking toward the group and trying to look casual about it. One of the ‘guards’ spotted her, though, and tapped their friend’s arm, until the whole group was watching her nervously.

For the world’s sake. Doing her best to ignore the treatment, Nora stopped in front of the visitors, scanning them over. One looked like a common merchant: probably in her thirties, wearing regular garb, and leading a horse with a cart of goods. She was the one who seemed to have urged the horse with her mind, which was interesting, but not anything Nora needed to be concerned about.

The other one, though… he was built like a fighter, carried himself like a cat, and had a sword in a harness on his back. Any idiot could tell he was some sort of soldier. Doesn’t Sheer Zenaryx know we don’t want anything to do with her soldiers?

Between the two newcomers, the ‘guards’ were paying him the least attention. In fact, they seemed to be giving him next to no thought at all, and Nora could see why — there was nothing interesting about the guy. He seemed like a sorry excuse for a soldier, really. But if there was any chance, any at all, that Nora’s abilities could be useful, she was going to make sure it happened.

Nora approached, stopping in front of him and narrowing her eyes. “What’s your name?” she asked, crossing her arms.

“Dyasen Nosvyenar,” the man answered, then froze.