Scribe of Shadows

It was a normal day. My name is Ben-Avar, and I am my own master, at least in the writing trade. I had just finished my latest ode to the Goddess of Fire, which was now on its way to the King of Manae’s palace in Ahura. The sun was setting red behind the harbour as a cool breeze carried the scent of pine needles across the wooden piers to where I sat. Now that my work was done, it was time to relax and enjoy a good drink and some fish before catching the evening boat headed for Ekir – I needed to deliver another poem there before leaving for Tenarang with the next shipment of wool from our islands.

I turned towards the tavern and froze; a woman stood next to me, looking as though she had just stepped out of a painting by one of our most revered masters. Every detail about her was perfect, from the curls of her long brown hair down to her dainty feet clad in silk sandals. Her face showed no emotion save for her sharp grey eyes - eyes that looked deep into my soul and through me like one might look through a window at the world beyond. She wore a simple white dress; what looked like an embroidered cloak or shawl covered her shoulders and flowed down around her waist. In her hand she held a staff topped with an opal as big as one’s fist, on which was carved a strange symbol: two circles interlocking each other, each one containing four smaller circles, all arranged so that each small circle contained a tiny version of the large one inside it.

My first thought was that this must be some sort of new performance art piece designed to catch travellers’ attention. For that matter, perhaps she was here to inspire me; after all, great works have been spawned from encounters with beautiful women such as this one! I smiled at her hopefully and bowed slightly, preparing myself for an engaging conversation that might turn into something more over dinner… but then she spoke to me in a voice as ancient and echoing as the sea itself:

"Ben Avar," she said simply, "You are fated to travel to many lands before your life ends."

I stared at her blankly for several moments before finding my tongue again; words came out with surprising ease for once. "How do you know my name?" I asked incredulously. Who was this woman? How did she get here? Why did she know me? And why did she not seem surprised when I asked how she knew who I am?

"I am here because you will be travelling soon," she replied calmly, "and because your journey will take you far from home." She paused briefly before continuing her explanation: "You are going to find yourself in danger if you do not follow where your heart leads you."

"All journeys lead somewhere else," I countered smugly. "What is so special about mine?" She did not answer immediately, instead taking out a small bottle made of yellow glass with an iron cap which she unscrewed carefully before handing me a folded piece of paper which had been tucked inside it.

Confused but intrigued (not only by what she said but also by how easily oracles can be obtained these days) I took it from her hands without thinking much further and unfolded it gingerly; what appeared inside were but three lines written in neat handwriting that seemed familiar somehow...

It read:

Seek the ancient ruins where the dragons sleep,

Uncover the secrets that they keep.

Only then shall your journey find its purpose deep.

My heart skipped a beat as I read the words on the paper. They seemed to reach out to me, calling me towards a destiny beyond my wildest imagination. The woman watched my reaction closely, as if she knew the weight of those words and the path they would set me upon.

"I cannot tell you everything," she said, her voice full of mystery. "But I can tell you this: there are forces at play that you cannot yet comprehend. Forces that will shape the future of our lands, and you, Ben-Avar, are destined to play a crucial role in it."

I tried to grasp the enormity of her words, but it felt like trying to catch a gust of wind with my bare hands. The realization of the unknown that lay ahead filled me with a sense of both excitement and trepidation.

"Who are you?" I finally managed to ask, my voice betraying a hint of fear.

She smiled, a glimmer of amusement dancing in her eyes. "Call me Aradia," she replied. "I am a guardian of ancient knowledge, and I have been entrusted with guiding those who are destined for greatness."

Aradia's words echoed in my mind, and I couldn't shake the feeling that she held the key to unlocking the truth of my own purpose. In that moment, all thoughts of the evening boat to Ekir and the delivery of my next poem were pushed to the recesses of my mind.

"I will follow my heart's calling," I declared with newfound determination. "But why dragons? What do they have to do with me?"

Aradia's gaze intensified as she leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a near-whisper. "The dragons are not mere creatures of legend, Ben-Avar. They hold ancient wisdom and power, hidden among the ruins where they sleep. Only those who are chosen can uncover their secrets and wield that power."

My mind raced with possibilities, images of towering green-scaled beasts and forgotten ruins filling my thoughts. The allure of the unknown tugged at me, beckoning me to embark on a journey that would change the course of my life.

"But how do I find these ruins?" I asked, my voice filled with both anticipation and trepidation.

Aradia reached out and placed a hand on my arm, her touch electric and soothing all at once. "Follow the stars," she whispered. "Let their guidance lead you to the place where destiny awaits."

With those final words, Aradia turned and began to walk away, her ethereal figure blending seamlessly into the fading twilight. I watched in awe as she disappeared from sight, leaving me with a newfound purpose and a burning desire to uncover the truth that lay buried within the ancient ruins.

As I walked towards the tavern, images of dragons and hidden knowledge filled my mind. The path ahead was treacherous and filled with uncertainties, but I knew that I could not ignore the call of destiny. I would gather my things, bid farewell to the familiar shores of my homeland, and set forth on a journey that would test my courage, challenge my beliefs, and reveal the depths of my own potential.

Little did I know that this journey would not only shape the course of my life but also alter the very fabric of our world. The fate of kingdoms, the balance of power, and the destiny of dragons were intertwined with my own, and I was ready to embrace the unknown, guided by the stars and the whispers of a mysterious woman named Aradia.

And so, I set off into the night, my heart filled with equal parts excitement and apprehension. The wind carried the scent of adventure, fueling my determination to uncover the ancient secrets that awaited me. The path may be perilous, but with each step, I knew I was one step closer to fulfilling my destiny. With Aradia's words echoing in my mind, I embarked on a journey that would forever change the course of my life.