Snippet #2774799

Syra wandered through the town with no place in mind. She admired some linen clothes hanging outside an elderly woman's shop and wished she could have afforded the matching sandals, hers had been worn down to next to nothing over the last few weeks, and she wondered if they'd last the trip she had unexpectedly found herself on. "Who am I kidding?" She sighed, kicking up some sand. "Now...where to go for information on a witch...?' She muttered as she looked through the various stalls that lined the street. One managed to catch her eye, an ornate stall draped in vibrant colored silks. A strong, calming scent wafted through the crowd and melted Syra's stresses away.

"Interested are you?" A middle-aged woman chirped, her voice like velvet. Syra didn't take her eyes off the small cones of incense as she nodded.

"Well child, take as long as you need, simply relax and enjoy the smells," The woman gestured to a small area behind the stall with tables and chairs. Each table held an incense burner and a steaming teapot.

"Uh, I'm sorry, I don't have any money," Syra said backing away sheepishly.

"Come now, I said nothing of money, did I?" the woman chuckled, opening the small gate that separated the two. "You've got a look about you, girl, one that says you're searching for something, so come in, drink deeply of my special blended tea and relax while you think. Take all the time you need."

Syra smiled and nodded slowly, she chose a table hidden in the shade under some purple and yellow silks that gently fluttered in the mid-day breeze. She poured herself a cup of tea and drank deeply, the stall's owner chuckled as Syra put the cup down slowly, feeling herself grow lightheaded.

"Wha-" she stammered before her world went hazy.