Ready the horses, I said to Gahji who stood by Mrs. Adams door starring at an ancient inscription.
Do you know what that is? He asked.
Do I need to? I replied coldly giving him a look that interpreted" get this horses moving".
He understood the look and he acted on it.
My father often told me a story of a star inscribed on wooden things to keep off spirits, the wood identified strength and if a part of it was cracked or eaten?
Whatever that was kept from entering a town or village would come in violently, He added.
OK what's your point I queried.
I think Mrs. A is trying to ward of something strong and dangerous.
There's no other reasonable explanation for that mark.
OK, I hear you, as a matter of....
Shhhhh....Gahji signaled pressing his forefinger to his lips.
Do you hear that? He asked pulling the horses leash to himself.
No I don't hear anything, I replied in anger.
Exactly, the woods is rather too quiet ma, he added.
No chirping from either birds or crickets.
When did quietness become an issue, I asked.
Shhhh...he signaled again.
Did you hear that?? He asked again
You know for a man your size, you hear a lot of things, now get me out of here. The night is almost falling on us.
Yes he does, an unfamiliar voice replied from behind.
I've heard so much of Gajhi dwarfs, I hear they devote their lives and don't just serve mortal masters.
Which only clarifies one thing to me, you're not mortal.
The feminine voice added.
Who are you? I asked
Why not come out of the dark, I added.
I will, since you asked nicely.
The feminine voice replied.
I'm something you're looking for, she added.
The vetala? I asked in mockery.
I can hear your thoughts too, she added.
So that makes you a god? I asked
No, it makes me greater than a god. She replied.
I hear the lady who summoned you today is trying to keep me off, she added. Swirling in the wind this time.
The tooth eared priestess?? I stammered.
I have a message for her, she added.
I heard your ears where pointed and.... I tried to speak out.
What's the message? Gahji cut me out
What you see, many mortals have not survived the sight, those who did never told the story, She said.
Why were you at the crystal grave 10years ago??she asked.
Few years after the reapers harvested souls from the disease breakout and the carrier's boat was empty??
I don't remember, I replied.
Oh you will, she said with a wry smile.