Oracle
“ This nightmare of yours is indeed a blessing ,” he snapped his metal cup and gargled with its content . Spitting it back , he continued , “ the Spirits have come to warn you of the war .” “ What war ?” “ The war to come . The earth will burn . The blood . . . of babies will be spilled . You must leave . Tell no one .” “ Shouldn ’ t I warn the others ?” “ Absolutely not . The Spirits of War have attached themselves to you . They have copulated with your land . Your continued presence is what will bring the march of war to everyone here , including you . Take your husband and your children . . .” “ But . . . I have no children .” “ Soon you will . Take your family and vacate this land . Tell no soul why .” “ Where should I go ?” “ West .” “ Where west ?” “ West ! Take nothing but your clothes and a month ’ s worth of gold .
Any more and the war shall take your life wherever you land .”
No person can ever speak with such passion , such intensity , and lie , she thought . A lark of a visit to some seer has turned real . She believed . “ Yes , yes , I will . Thank you ! I owe you more than I will ever have .”
“ Oh yes , follow that , and be saved . Leave two coppers . Your life will be swell .”
17