Prompt: Fate Weaver, Part 2

…Continued from Part 1

“She’s blind to the things of this world,” Renaudin said bluntly, pushing past the pain on their faces. “But her eyes are filled with gastring, the light strings of destiny that the Fates weave across all our lives. She sees more than we ever will.” As their faces lit with unexpected delight at the news, he pushed on. Now was the time to force their hands. “She should stay here, my children, where we can teach her to see the gastring and all its meanings, to become a Fate Reader.”

The parents looked from each other, to their child, to him. They stammered and stuttered, but Renaudin pressed his advantage, and soon they kissed the girl – whom he never let out of his arms – and stumbled out of his study, following a page he summoned while they dithered.

Alone with the girl, Renaudin turned her face to the setting sun shining through the window. Through this angled gaze, he could almost see the gastring filling her eyes. “I didn’t tell them everything, child. You’re more than a Fate Reader. Much more. But it won’t be easy. Let us begin immediately.”

Without hesitation, he plunged her head first into the bowl of lemon water, holding her head below the water while she thrashed and kicked futilely. Her movements became more frantic, then more clumsy, then slowed until they finally stopped altogether.

Renaudin pulled her out and cradled her against his chest, ignoring the water soaking both of them. He carried her to his reading chair by the great fireplace and sat, rocking her gently back and forth. There was nothing to do now, but wait.

The girl stiffened, then coughed. Sitting up in his arms, she looked around, taking in their surroundings. Gazing up at Renaudin, she spoke clearly, “I can see you, father. But I still see the gastring. How is this?”

Renauldin hugged her, a broad smile spreading across his face. “You will always see the gastring, child. You were born a Fate Reader.” He hesitated and looked away.

“What is it, father?”

Steeling himself, Renaudin looked back, directly in her eyes. “You have a great destiny, my child, but it will not be an easy one. You must die and be reborn in each element. Then you will be one of the most powerful of all, a Fate Weaver.”

The girl cocked her head, considering with an apparent wisdom beyond her years. As if reciting, she said in an eerily grownup voice:

Death by Water to see the worlds of Man.

Death by Air to see the worlds of Nature.

Death by Earth to see the worlds Beyond.

Death by Fire to weave the worlds Entire.

TBC?

Dogs in House	Houdini
Music	Jordi Savall, The Celtic Viol, Vol 2
Time writing	1 hour
May word count	2,971