diff --git a/witch-confronts-caprina.txt b/witch-confronts-caprina.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..af25376 --- /dev/null +++ b/witch-confronts-caprina.txt @@ -0,0 +1,55 @@ +Caprina noticed a disturbance in the air around her, and slowly set her tea back on the table. +She slowly rose from her armchair, leaning against her walking stick. + +A woman stood on a seam between wood and stone flooring, and Caprina could not have said whether she had just arrived or whether she had been there for hours, so natural did she look. +The woman was either no taller than Caprina, or towered over her, and her dress seemed to be made of the floor and walls itself. +Caprina didn't know for sure whether she was the Witch, but given how confusing it was to look at her, it seemed a reasonable assumption. + +―So, you've finally come. + +The Witch said nothing, and stood completely still. +Caprina gestured to another chair across her own. + +―Feel free to sit. + I'm assuming you'd like to chat. + +The unexpected visitor gave no reply to Caprina's invitation, which seemed rude. +Caprina turned her back on the Witch, and walked to the window, looking out off the side of the mountain down to the river which ran through the valley below. + +―The Emperor carved this temple, or so it's said. + After he repented his sins on his ascent to the summit, he climbed back down and decided that this was where he would spend the rest of his life. + They say that with a single breath he carved the main hall, and the sound of that breath echoed back from the valley, each echo carving a smaller room in turn. + +The Witch looked thoughtful for a moment, before finally moving to open her damn mouth. + +―Is that true? the Witch asked. + +―Beats me, I wasn't there at the time. + Sounds made up, but there are crazier stories about the Emperor that are true. + Also, if you don't want to take the chair, this old goat is going to sit herself back down anyway. + Rest my bones. + +Caprina slowly walked back to her comfy chair, and picked up her comfy tea. +If she had to engage in a staring match with a taciturn Witch, she'd do so comfortably. +At her age, it was worth spending her remaining time keeping her bones from aching. + +―Witch, I suppose you're here for a reason. + You better spit it out before I die of old age and save you the pleasure of killing me. + +―Very well, Caprina Zeuit. + I want you to formally appoint me your successor and abdicate. + +―Oh, and why would I do that? + +―Because it would be easier than the alternative. + +―That's not a particularly attractive choice, Witch. + +―It should be, Caprina. + I ask only for the authority of the Temple to be given willingly, rather than taken later by force. + It is no burden for me to wait, and we will both be better for avoiding spilling blood here. + +―I don't know what you want, or even who you really are. + It took a while to work out that a Witch was involved at all, from the signature of your attack. + Partaking of the power left over after the division into the three voices. + Confusing to sense something new and