Infinite Onyx

It was a chilly morning on the island. They weren’t often this time of year, but it was a welcome change to Terra as she wrapped her bare arms around herself, staving off the wind as she stepped from her front door. She tried going into town as rarely as often, but she found herself with a shopping list, and thanks to the basket in her arms, she should have plenty to spend.

She took her time on her stroll, by the time she reached the town the sun was high enough to stave off the morning’s odd chill.

Terra was small, the same red hair and green eyes everyone else in her village shared adorned her head, her red hair reaching near the narrow of her back. Her curls bounced with each step, though she had learned to walk carefully and move as little as possible to keep from catching others’ eyes.

She noticed a few kids give her a death glare before she turned, heading into the village’s apothecary with a sigh.

She got used to the stares a long time ago and gave up on living a normal life.

After all, she was the only open magician in the city, and they all felt magic was a defiance of God, save the man who currently looked up from behind the counter. “Back already? Your garden is keeping me in business, you know.” The old man chuckled, a bald head and black cloak of a retired priest a welcome sight to the girl’s eyes.

“I have sage.” Terra lifted a small bundle from the basket in her arms and shook it enticingly, which only served to leave the old man with a widening grin and crinkles at the corners of his grassy green eyes. “How have you been, Father?” She asked as she walked to the counter before starting to pull bundles from the basket, showing she’d brought a lot more than a bundle of sage.

“Good. Business is going well, and the brewery is having a sale today on ale, so I know what I’m doing after work.” He let out a bark-like laugh as he reached over, pulling one of the bundles over to examine the contents. He unwrapped the cotton cloth and noticed the fresh leaves giving off a wonderful smell. “How do you get them so perfect?” He asked as he lifted a stem, a few leaves on the twig turning between his fingers.

“I just do what the land tells me.” Terra chuckled. “Easier than dealing with people.”

“That reminds me, be on the lookout. I think Emily is almost out of her headache tea. Do you need some of the herbs back?” He asked, knowing full well that Terra was the closest thing the town had to a doctor.

“No, I’m good. I have my own stash of herbs in jars, you know.” She couldn’t help a proud smile, glad she was so well prepared.

“You do, but with what you bring here, I worry you’ll run low.” The old priest opened another bundle, his eyes widening. “Perfect timing! I was running low on tea!” He grinned as he pulled out the mint leaves.

Terra leaned heavily against the bar, thrumming her fingers from the arm holding the basket against the counter. “So, what do you say to fifty thread for the whole thing?” She asked, watching as the old man chuckled.

“Fifty thread it is.” He grinned as he headed to the checkout counter, pulling out the drawer he kept the money in. It didn’t take too long for him to count out the threads, a red yarn each containing ten silver coins tied tight through the center. Each coin had a stamp of the island, the name ‘Fenrose Isle’ across the bottom.

It wasn’t long before the coins were in her basket, the old man continuing to look through his purchase as Terra gave a quick wave, earning one in reply before she left the shop.

So there was a sale on ale, was there? She couldn’t help but grin as she headed out, ignoring the glares of a few people as she walked by.

It wasn’t too long before she was back in her home, honey, meat and ale all in abundance as she quickly put things away in her small kitchen. Her home was small, and she’d had to do all of the repairs herself as she couldn’t pay the villagers to help with her cottage, but it was what she had, and she honestly loved the small building.

She put the meat into the pot over the fire and threw in a few veggies and a bottle of the ale for flavor before she went to the living room, pulling out a book. Her round house had the one fire in the center, but she was able to cook on one side and lay out on the living room floor in front of the fire on the other side, a third way through showing her bedroom if she cared to look through, but honestly she much preferred the views of the book she’d opened.

She loved stories of romance and adventure, knowing for sure she’d never have these things for herself.

Terra quickly lost track of time and before she knew it, the sun was starting to set over the horizon and she sat up, looking to the entryway window.

No patients today. She was fine with that. It was always awkward, healing those who would treat her like decay the next day if they saw her, but that was her life.

They couldn’t heal themselves, and healing was one of the few things her parents had taught her before they died.

She was eight when they killed themselves, though no one was ever sure if it was a dual suicide or a murder suicide, all they knew was the kid accidentally let it slip that she knew magic quickly after by healing one of the children of the villages’ foot when they stepped on a sharp shell.

She was refused a spot in the orphanage since she used magic, as they were worried she’d start trying to corrupt the other children. She found out quickly that she could do what she needed on her own, though, as her parents had taught her about farming and the herbs they grew. She was well able to take care of the gardens on her own, but the healing was something she’d learned in a dream.

She always wondered if some day she’d have more dreams like that, that she’d learn new magics and find new ways to see the world. The only magics she’d ever learned, though, were the healing she could do, and the prophetic dreams she couldn’t avoid.

They were rare, but deadly accurate. She’d only had three, and each one tolled a new hell to her world.

Black smoke filled her nose as she looked around her home, her eyes watering from the density. She pulled herself to her knees and headed to her bedroom window but something outside told her to run. She couldn’t fight it as she turned, heading back into the smokey house, flames now starting to flicker all around her though she couldn’t quite figure out where it was coming from.

She ran to her front door and took off into the thickest parts of the woods, heading to the one safe haven she knew of, though on the way the fire followed behind, leaving her breathless as the flames licked at her feet.

Then she was in the woods, the smoke growing more intense as she looked around, though she knew there was no way out. She was surrounded, but she didn’t know by what or whom, though as she looked forward a dull purple, the color reminding her of poison, started to ebb before her through the smoke, coming closer.

Terra could feel the tension as whatever it was grew closer, just out of sight through the smoke before she jumped up, startled awake still on her living room floor, blankets wound between her limbs she’d realized she’d been thrashing about. She swallowed down nerves as the dream played through her memory again before she realized it was a prophecy, but one she knew nothing about.

They were always like that, never giving everything away, simply warning that her life was about to be upended. She swallowed down trepidation as she climbed to her feet, a cold chill in her chest bringing more tension to her battered nerves.

Terra didn’t like going into town, but after that, she had to know what was going on, or what was going to happen.

She quickly dressed and made her way into town, her pale face downward as she quickly ushered herself through the village to the apothecary. She made her way in and looked up, seeing the same panic filled eyes peering back at her that she knew she carried herself. “You saw it too.”

“I did.” the old priest stared back, looking like a husk of himself. He barely looked as if he’d pulled himself from bed this morning, a daze he couldn’t shake showing itself in his eyes. “It looks as if my time has come.” He sighed, watching as Terra prickled at the words, her hair standing on end as goosebumps rose over her arms.

“But it’s just a fire. I can rebuild. What do you mean it’s your time? Does your house burn down too? But the woods were on fire.” Terra started to blather, trying to figure out the cryptic message, though she knew she was missing a few pieces of vital information.

“It’s not just a fire, Terra. You know how these dreams work. I’m not sure on everything myself, but I know I don’t survive tonight.” The Father’s voice was soft and kind, and the look in his eyes changed to pity. “You get to live though, and maybe you can right a few wrongs done by our isle. A whole new world is going to open up to you. Just remember that he has a reason, and I think you get through everything alright.”

“Why am I alright and you die?!” Terra gasped at the thought, somewhat more anxious by the fact that the Father didn’t even try to fight his death.

“Because you become found. This island was never what you needed. You’ll understand the world in ways I wish I was able to.” The old man sighed, reaching up to rub his eyes. “You’ll understand in time. I just wish I was going out naturally. Is a heart attack too much to ask for?” He sighed, and Terra swallowed down her nerves.

“Is there anything I can do? Any last wish?” Terra asked, her voice soft and sad, unable to fight the unease.

“Just be happy.” The old priest sighed before making his way around the bar, giving Terra a hug. “Don’t worry about me. I’ve lived my life, and I can say I did my best, so at least I die with few regrets.”

“I’ll miss you.” Terra sniffled before the priest realized she’d started to tear up. “Why do these dreams get to dictate how we die?”

“Because,” The priest let a smile seep into his voice as he thought out his response, “They are merely a future. They don’t dictate how we die, only let us know what to expect.” He leaned back to look her in the eyes as he spoke, making sure she heard him well. “They don’t tell us how to live our lives, they just show us what our choices bring.”

Terra hugged him back before reaching to wipe her eyes. “And you’re satisfied with that?” She asked in a gentle tone.

“I am.” He replied with a grin inching across his face. “I know I don’t need to save the ale I bought yesterday for a rainy day, so I’ll be drinking it through the day. Should make the day more interesting.”

“You’re spending your last day alive drunk?” Terra asked, a bit bewildered at the normally mild mannered, always proper ex-priest.

“Can’t think of a better way to go.” He couldn’t hold back a laugh at the thought, though the words as well as the laughter let a bit of Terra’s anxiety seep away. “You should probably say goodbye to your parents. I doubt you’ll ever make your way back here.”

Terra somberly nodded in understanding. “I’ll do that and then I’ll make my way back here. I should like to be here in the end.” She sighed, though the priest shook his head.

“You should stay away from town. Spend your night at home. Enjoy your last night here.” He gave a smile, and though it was easy to see he was still afraid, his words and warm tone calmed her down enough that she couldn’t argue.

“Alright then.” She sighed, looking around the business for the last time. “I’ll go. Goodbye, Father.”

“Goodbye, Terra. May God stand at your side.” He said with an air of finality, and with that Terra turned, leaving the small shop.