The First Harrowings

Olwen's Fortune

> The first of the party's futures are foretold.
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## Summary

Adrian Tanlaial and Olwen Edgeworth come up to Merylwind's booth and she expected them to arrive. She sassily remarks that she got them the carriage and Adrian met with near-death. Olwen is slightly upset but Adrian mentions that Merylwind was messing with him. Adrian then asks a fortune for the question "Is my pursuit of knowledge detrimental?" Meryl is at a loss for words at this as she didn't see this coming.

Adrian picks his first card and it's the hidden truth. She puts nine cards on the table and Adrian says to get bad news and work his way towards good news. The Hell card is the demon's lantern meaning he's been stabbed in the back a lot. The Hades card is the twin which Merylwind skips because it's annoying. The Abyss card is the locksmith meaning an object in his possession will cause him great misfortune behind a lock and key. The meh news starts with the Nirvana card, the foreign trader, meaning Adrian must be careful who he relies on to get more knowledge. The outlands card is the hidden truth, Adrian's card, which makes Merylwind laugh. Apparently there's a large clue under his nose that he can't see. The Limbo card is a terrible omen meaning something lies ahead frozen in time and if Adrian pursues this knowledge he risks this event happening. Merylwind gets jittery when she realizes this and she moves on to the good news. The heaven card is the Rakshasa which is surprising and it means Adrian *was* shackled by something. The tangled briar is the elysium card which means Adrian found something both terrifying and hopeful. The Arboria card is the theater which means Adrian will be given directions to a prophecy that will lead to fortune.

Adrian takes notes while asking about the twin. Apparently it means indecision is paralyzing Adrian. Olwen then gets her fortune told about how she can catch Nicholas Hollyhock. Olwen picks her card and it's the forge meaning strength through trial.

They begin in the past with the heaven card and it's the inquisitor, meaning her best weapon was knowledge and truth. The nirvana card is the big sky meaning shackles were removed from her life and replaced with new ones. The hell card means she suffered physically and spiritually. Merylwind warns that she must heal or the cracks will spread. The elysium card is the snake bite which Meryl notes that Olwen is of a similar mind. The Outlands card is the winged serpent and with it Meryl determines Olwen's fighting style and her hindrance. Olwen thinks that she should have pulled the trigger before being sent to Thultanthar. The Hades card is the liar which means Hollyhock knows about Olwen's loving heart and he will take advantage of it. The Arborea card is the fiend meaning a great calamity is in her future but salvation will also come in that calamity. The limbo card is the bear which means a force of pure strength will be in possession of Olwen or Hollyhock. By process of elimination, her role is in the abyss. Meryl mentions a terrible battle with Hollyhock is in Olwen's future and Olwen can't rely on her own strength alone to stop it. Not to mention it isn't clear whether she'll win or lose and victory will come at a great cost.

Olwen doesn't want anyone else to get in the crossfire but Meryl is instant that friends will need to help her and Olwen won't come out of the ordeal as she is. Adrian promises that Olwen won't have to do this alone. Eventually Olwen agrees and thanks Merylwind for the fortune. Adrian and Olwen leave to see Hoshimi while mentioning that others will be headed her way soon.

Xaillen is ready to fight Paris while being reminded that this is a show. Xaillen runs towards Paris but backflips onto the ring-post. He tries to demoralize Paris but he's unaffected. Paris changes his demeanor and while Xaillen has seen it before, he's still shaken by it. He manages to snap back to it before dodging Paris' attack. He tries a dirty trick but it doesn't work and he realizes that Paris has been waiting for Xaillen. Xaillen tries to get behind him only for Paris to catch him on the flat end of his blade. Xaillen quickly twirls around and kicks Paris in the face.

Paris tries to get behind Xaillen only for him to try and kick Paris in the ribs. Paris leaps back to dodge and the crowd gets excited. Xaillen and Paris are both excited as Xaillen flashes the sunlight into Paris' eyes using his sword. Xaillen gets back onto the ropes and tries a spin kick. Paris catches the foot and Xaillen tries to hit him with his sword but it hits Paris' buckler. Paris tries to attack Xaillen twice but because he was blinded, he misses both times.

Xaillen claims that Paris is ready to taste his swords. He strikes Paris twice in critical places. Paris tumbles behind Xaillen and strikes Xaillen, scaring him a little. Olwen gives a small bit of encouragement. Xaillen attempts to dash behind Paris only for Paris to turn around. This is a fient though as Xaillen dashes into the tightrope and bounces back landing a finishing blow. Paris mentions that Xaillen never uses his swords and Xaillen says he only uses them when he's taking someone seriously. Xaillen goes to visit the fortune teller as Paris goes to the infirmary... again.

## Notable events

* Adrian Tanlaial and Olwen Edgeworth have their fortunes told
* Xaillen fights a gladiatorial match with Paris