"I've seen you before. In the forest right before I passed out and saw a strange dream of this woman. What were you doing there and why are you following me?"

The stranger said nothing as if they were pondering what to say or what truth to reveal. Not like much would make much sense nor make the situation much less confusing. With a mischievious grin they lowered their head and slightly pointed their staff at me.

"Your story just happened to catch my eye is all"

"My story?"

"To be exact, it would be your affliction."

I tense up as they mention my reason for being.

"Would do you know about my curse?"

With a whimsical tone and a seemingly half hearted reply,

"Nothing really. Which is why you caught my eye. Nothing in this world happens without my knowing and you just happen to be an exception. Consider it an achievement."

Baffled, I dumbly stared at the stranger as they continue on.

"Well with you keeping me entertained I won't have to worry about my own problems for a while. So just to progress your story a tad bit quicker I'll tell you this."

Clearing their throat and straightening up, I waited with baited breath. Curious, but heeding the danger that this stranger could prove to be. With a silver slithering voice the stranger tapped their staff on the ground and began.

Basked in silence the stranger returned at ease. With the rigidness of a statue, I was left to ponder the meaning of the words. It was not a moment after the stranger finished speaking that a scorching heat began to radiate from my back. Agonizing, searing pain being engraved upon my back as I fell forward. Sweat drenched my brow as I tensed my body in hopes of remedying the pain. It was not long until the ground I kneeled on become a puddle as the heat begain to subside. Catching my breath, I got up to my feet as I glared at the stranger who, to my surprise, was speechless about what had just occured. 

"That was... Unexpected. That should not have happened. This space should belong to me at the moment."

"What the hells do you me-"

"I must go. Do not reveal the runes on your back to anyone. Not even those closest to you."

"What? Where are you- Aaand they're gone."

The moment they had left my surroundings returned to normal as I find myself alone in the alleyways of the city with the sounds of soft breathing. Looking back towards the ground I stared at the woman and wondered how she would play into this grand plan of the stranger, if they even had one.

'Well I should probably wake her up. I have some qome questions I want to ask'

Now that I get a good look at her she's got an unusual hair color. It almost looks black but it's more an extremely dark red, reminiscent of dried blood. She's slightly paler than most people but she's got quite defining features. What drew my attention the most was her eyes. Her eyes were slightly puffed and reddened. Was she crying recently? 

Having thought I had observed her long enough I crounch down to one knee and shook her shoulder in a attempt to wake her. 

"Wake up lady, I have some questions for you."

Her eyes began to tense, responsive of my words but seemingly trying to ignore me. A bit annoyed I reached out to her cheek and lightly tapped two fingers twice to get her attention.

"For someone who was alone in the woods your defences while sleeping are pretty damn low."

"Oh shut up and let me sleep a little longer Fi-"

With half closed eyes she responded and looked at me directly as she realized where she was and immediately stood on guard. 

"Who are you!?"

With sudden hostility she quickly raised a knife from behind her waist and put it between us. I stepped back a few paces with a surprise as I didn't expect a hostile reaction. 

"I mean no harm. I just want to ask a few questions."

As I reassured her I slowly took out a dagger and tossed it to the side. Seeing me toss away my weapon she immediately relaxed as she no longer saw me as an immediate threat. Eyeing me suspiciously she took a moment to recognize me as she lowered her weapon and sighed in relief.

"It's you. You should know better than to wake someone like that. I could've run you through the second I woke up."

"But you didn't. So who were you talking about?"

"Pardon?"

"Nevermind. I need to find something I lost and you were the last person I was with when I passed out. I was hoping you would know where I could find it."

"Why should I? Sounds like your business."

'Okay, my patience is running out.'

"On account that I saved your sorry ass from those goblins that nearly killed you, as well as me, for getting involved I think you owe me"

"Ahh fine. Quit guilt tripping me. I know that happened."

With a resigned sigh she gave in.

"Go ahead an ask away."

"Have you seen a vial that had strange symbols carved into the cap? It should've been the size of my palm."

"Haven't seen it. It probably fell while I dragged you all the way here. Why?"

"Better if you didn't know. Your coming with me to find it."

"What!? Who decided that? I'm not going with you to find what you lost."

"Says the one who was about to die to goblins without my help."

"Screw off. Just because you got me out of that doesn't mean I have to help you out."

"For gods sake you're annoying to deal with. Fine, I'll just find those damn goblins and ask them then. They might've picked up whatever's around."

I turned around and began to leave but was stopped with a tug on my shoulder.

"Hold it. You're going to go find the goblin camp?"

This damn... Properly irritated now, I replied as curtly as possible

"That's none of your business."

I brushed off the hand off my shoulder and made my way out of the alley towards the city gates.