Thread: Light in Shadows (Fates and Flame)

Shadow Root Kaia knew it well enough, Oh! I know it, though its not one of your everyday ingredients. There are a few uses for it if Im not mistaken, but we dont have a lot of demand. She considered whether shed seen any in stock. She looked at the strange man peculiarly, however, as he appeared to be watching something on the countertop. Kaia followed his eyes, and while she saw nothing there, she sword she could feel something. It was a strange sensation indescribable to the point she wondered if it was another manifestation of her Ascendancy. The idea of possibility of giving her secret away to a stranger left her feeling vulnerable. And so she turned her back to him with a nervous laughter. You might be in luck, she said, trying her best to brush off the strange feeling, I think we have some around here Kaia did her best to keep it together while she scanned the shelves. She was certain shed put some away just earlier, but with everything going on in her head she couldnt remember where. It didnt help that even with her back turned she could still feel a strange presence watching her. She tried telling herself it was just the customer gawking at how slow she was being but in her gut she knew it was something else. The fact it was a spirit of all things, remained unbeknownst to her. Funny thing about Shadow Root, Kaia said, breaking the awkward silence, Its actually not a root at all. She found it helped to talk about things when she was feeling nervous. A little too much for some people, in fact, when it was something she knew a lot about. It just looks like a root, but its actually a fungus. Its name is derived from some of its uses, but mainly because of the fact that its shy of sunlight. Recalling the unique properties of the mushroom caused her to remember it was kept in one of the drawers not the shelves. She retrieved a satchel that had just enough to warrant a sale, and placed it upon the counter. The vibes she felt before were no less vivid now, hopefully not too apparent in the way she shied away from the invisible entity. You know theres not a whole lot of practical use for these, right? It was mostly used in rituals by some of the older cultures I think Well anyway, lets see how much to charge you for it. Wait, the gruff voice of her father called out, interrupting the exchange before Aezon could even contemplate reaching for his coin purse. Why exactly do you need this? Kai joined his daughters side, but he didnt even give the man a chance to answer. Black hair and grey eyes he mumbled, peering at Aezon from across the counter. His eyes narrowed as he pieced it all together. Youre from the Shadow Tribe, arent you boy? The Shadow Tribe? Kaia repeated. Ordinarily she might have been taken aback by the disrespectful way her father spoke to the man, but her surprise distracted her from the fact. Shed never met anyone from the Fade before. Few people ever had some even went so far as to say theyd all gone extinct. It wasnt hard to believe, actually. After the events of the calamity that struck their world the centuries ago, the Shadow Tribe had been left a scattered people. Those who werent slaughtered were forced to live a nomadic life in a world unwilling to accept them. Her father never talked much of the people from the Fade. No one did save to blame them for the tragedy ever having happened in the first place. I know what your people use this root for, Kai went on, growling. Your kind came close to destroying the world once already Ill be damned if youre gonna use anything from my shop to do it again. Go on, get out! Your kind isnt welcome here. Father! Kaia cried, shocked by how discourteous he was being. She knew the people from the Shadow Tribe were far from loved, but she never anticipated her father could show such hatred towards anyone. Dont you think youre overreacting a little? He hasnt done anything wrong. Honestly how is he supposed to destroy the world with a fungus? Kaia you stay out of this, he snapped angrily, And away from him! He pointed an accusing finger at Aezon, sneering. You heard me, boy. Leave! Before I give you a reason to draw those swords.