The Oracle said nothing at Fallon’s outburst. The men and women surrounding her paid no attention to the swordswoman. They kept massaging the Oracle, the oil they used sickly-sweet against Larissa’s overworked nasal passages. When the Oracle tilted her head back, a man took the opportunity to lean in and press his lips the hollow of her throat.
After long moments which had Fallon growing more agitated by the second, the Oracle finally said. “Oh, Fallon, you’re here.”
It looked like Fallon was tensing to attack the woman, but before Fallon could jump on the Oracle, Aislynn sidled alongside her and grabbed her upper shoulder. “Let me take over now,” she said to the redhead. Fallon’s eyes still blazed, but she nodded, taking a step back and motioning Aislynn to move forward.
Aislynn kneeled in front of the Oracle. “Great Oracle, we have come as requested.”
The Oracle’s attention was still on Fallon. She smiled, a little lift of her lips designed to irritate. “You see Fallon, this is how I should be approached. Watch and learn.”
Fallon ground her teeth together and bent forward, her sword hand giving a little jerk.
Without turning, Aislynn lifted her hand and motioned Fallon to stay back. This scene or some variation thereof must be a popular one.
The Oracle turned her attention to the elf and graced her with a blinding smile. The Oracle was a beautiful woman, but when she smiled she transformed into otherworldly. “Dearest Aislynn, it is so good to see you.”
“It is always an honor to be in your presence,” Aislynn replied. The words were said with the perfect balance of sincerity and warmth, and what should have sounded forced and phony became a lovely sentiment.
That dark-gold gaze turned toward Larissa. “Larissa Miller,” the Oracle said. She had a rich, cultured voice, and Larissa straightened at the sound of it, half-remembered lessons in manners taking over. The Oracle smiled, and damned if it didn’t look like she heard Larissa’s thoughts. “It is lovely to meet you. You wouldn’t believe how many people have you in the center of their minds right now.”
Only one male mattered, the rest could go hang. “That’s lovely, though I don’t know why I deserve the sentiment. Would you have any clue why I’m suddenly so popular?”
The Oracle’s smile was smug and a touch superior. Fallon’s reactions were making more sense. “Now, now, I didn’t bring you here to talk shop. You’ll find out soon enough. Besides, your popularity has brought Terak into your life. How does it feel to be under the protection of a Gargoyle? Have you become friends, or perhaps something more?”
She was the Oracle, so she probably knew everything that happened and everything that was going to happen. Fine, it was another piece of crazy Larissa needed to get used to. That didn’t mean the first time she spoke of her feelings aloud it was going to be to this woman. Instead Larissa said, “Terak is a good protector. He’s kept me safe while still trying to let me have my life.”
One of the Oracle’s female attendants rubbed oil into her bare feet. The Oracle made a little hum of pleasure, but still kept on with the conversation. “And yet he didn’t protect you from being taken by Fallon.”
“That was my fault. I was the one stupid enough to trust her,” Larissa finished, using her thumb to point over at Fallon. Fallon looked supremely unconcerned at the charge. “And I walked right into a trap.”
“Yes, Fallon is quite adept at deceptions with the right coaching, aren’t you?” Fallon might have tried to make a hand gesture at that statement, but if she did Aislynn was able to hide it quite well.
The Oracle stood then, a lithe, graceful movement. She reached her hand out to Larissa. “Come here, I have a gift for you.”
No, Larissa really didn’t want a gift from this woman, other than the gift of telling her exactly why a bunch of undead were after her. But the way all eyes were watching her, she probably didn’t have the luxury of refusing at this moment, so she stepped forward. The Oracle took her hand, the dark skin soft and the touch delicate.
“I think,” began the Oracle, “You enjoy being with the Gargoyle more than you are letting on. But I understand a woman does not like giving up her secrets, especially before she knows what’s going within the mind of a thick-headed male. You don’t need to say anymore. I wish to give you this.”
The Oracle handed her a small, leather bound booklet, about as thick as a pamphlet, and said, “You are a teacher, yes?”
It was nice of the Oracle to phrase things in the form of a question and let people feel they were imparting information. “Yes, I am.”