All eyes turned when they walked by them. Hushed whispers, of admiration or great scorn, followed after their shadows. In merely minutes, they became the talk of town. Merchants offered to have them test their finest wine, fabric, or even come for refreshment and promises of great times ahead. They had come on invitation though, by a wine merchant of the name Sylens Witticker.

"Your man sure loves to make a woman wait," Heda said as they waited in Sylens's villa, on a terrace overlooking Jasmine Hills, a district exclusive to n.o.bles and wealthy merchants.

"You just like to complain," Friede said in a jovial tone.

She was lying on a bamboo sofa, sheltered from the blazing sunlight. She held her cup high for a servant, clad only in her jaundiced linen waistcloth, to fill it with honeyed wine.

"You already know the man's going to be late," Friede went on. She flicked her hair behind her ear, exposing her long neck. "Why don't come beside me? This wine is much too fine to be enjoyed alone."

"I have no taste for mundane pleasures," Heda said absentmindedly. "I know I should wait. Nothing can be done without the pa.s.sing of time."

"Nor undone," Friede said, giggling.

"This Sylens you speak of," Heda said then turned toward her companion with renewed vigor. "You've seen him use his powers, haven't you?"

Friede nodded. She sipped her honeyed wine and let some of it trickle from the corner of her red lips. She swept it away with her thumb then, slowly, as her lips parted into an alluring smile. "Come now Heda," Friede said. She even found a way of making a complaint sound attractive. "Sylens will come. You'll see his powers with your own eyes."

"What if he's not the one I seek?" Heda asked.

"You would have seen it with your frightening powers then," Friede replied.

"They don't work like that," Heda protested. "I see things, but not everything. I need to see this man, accept to go on a journey with him. Only then can I see what fate holds for us both."

"If you still have doubts about him, then we go to Modley in Tinria," Friede said. "If not, then we seek Dismas in the west. We'll knock at Stalwart's door if need be. We will get you what you seek Heda, one way or another. You're the only one capable of elevating us to a higher purpose."

Heda's frown dissipated then. She smiled at her companion then joined her by the shade. "I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't found you," she said as she gladly accepted a wine cup.

"You would have found another," Friede said then met Heda's cup with her own in a toast.  

Friede was a slim woman with toned muscles to put a man to shame. She often hid them by wearing long clothes that didn't reveal much of her shape. This day, however, she chose more tight-fitting attire.

She wore tight gray breeches that hugged her firm bottom and displayed its round shape to all bystanders. On top, she chose a cobalt blouse that left her midriff exposed, and her small b.r.e.a.s.t.s firmly pushed upwards. She would walk the streets as though she owned the place. Beside her, Heda exuded the same level of confidence.  She leaned closer toward Friede and put her lips to her cheek.

Friede smiled then turned her head slightly to meet Heda's eyes. Her red hair, falling before her bottle green eyes. Her lips quivering, moist. Heda smiled, and Friede bit on her lips. She tilted her head the side, showing Heda her exposed neck. Heda leaned forward. The scent of sweat against Friede's skin excited her. The heat she exuded promised adventure and great satisfaction… even euphoria…

"How do you do this?" Heda whispered, out of breath although she hadn't made any effort to cause it.

Friede giggled. "I've been blessed by Aella herself," she said. "Hush now. Don't ruin the moment."

"I'm afraid the moment's already ruined," Heda said. "Our host finally decided to show up."

A man of average height and brown hair got onto the terrace. He was wearing a long sleeveless tunic that extended to his knees. Around his waist, he'd strapped a brown leather belt that made the tunic look like a two piece attire. He hung a light blue silken shawl atop his left shoulder; a shawl that folded upon itself as it fell on the marble floor.

Friede cast a side glance at the man and smiled.

"Sylens!" she said with high pitched excitement. "What hole have you disappeared into, you wretched b.a.s.t.a.r.d!" She struck him lightly on the shoulder and the man chuckled nervously.

"Friede," he said then bowed to her. He took her extended hand and put wet lips to it. "I didn't expect you'd bring such lovely company," he went on, turning to Heda with a respectful bow.

"This is Lady Heda LaBaptiste," Friede said. "I trust you know her lord father."

Sylens's face brightened up. He took Heda's hand and kissed it. "My lady," he said, raising his eyes to meet hers. "You honor this lowly merchant."

"Keep your silver tongue for the b.a.l.l.s and boring feasts," Heda said. "Those fat f.u.c.ks love their a.r.s.es licked. I come here to discuss business."

"Is my lady a connoisseur?" Sylens asked, rubbing his hands together. "I have a cellar with the most exquisite collection. Casks from Boligne that would make your taste buds explode with happiness."

"Yes, yes," Heda dismissively said. "I've come for wine, your finest." She turned her head toward Friede and shot her a look only they could understand.

"Does my lady care for a tour?" Sylens asked, grinning from ear to ear.

"Splendid!" Friede excitedly yelled. "Perhaps you could give a taste of that rare cask you always boast about. Where is it from you say? Milogac, was it?"

Sylens's face fell. "I told you I had no interest in magic wars Friede," he spat at her.

"We only ask for a tour," Friede replied. She put her hand on his bare shoulder, letting her fingers slide toward his bicep. "We taste some of your wine." She tugged the collar of his tunic, "exchange a few words." She pulled him toward her with sudden ferocity and gently whispered to his ear, "If our offer isn't to your satisfaction…"

She let the words hang in there for a moment. Sylens felt sweat form on his forehead. His legs s.h.i.+fted inwardly in an uncomfortable motion. He knew of Friede's "persuasive" manners, and he hated them.

He observed the women with careful eyes. He didn't answer immediately, but took his time considering Friede's words as though they were an enigma, hard to solve. Friede let go of the man and let out a sigh that sounded very much like a moan.

"I guess the man doesn't know how to please a lady," Friede said then turned toward Heda. "Lady LaBaptiste, it appears we were wrong to turn down Lord Flavius."  

Sylens's eyes grew wider. "alright," he said, clenching his jaw. "Exchange some words it is."

He clapped his hands and two female servants with bare torsos rushed to the terrace.

"Unlock the cellar," he said. "Prepare some candles in my study, and have wine ready to pour."

The servants bowed then disappeared inside the villa. Sylens turned to a tall, brawny man with tanned skin. "Bring a torch. Escort us while I show these fine ladies what makes Sylens Witticker the finest wine merchant in all of Runemecia."

As Heda descended toward the cellar, she felt the chill, moldy air brush against her face. She squinted as sunlight faded behind them. It was darker than a moonless night down there. It smelled of rot and mold that had acc.u.mulated over the years.

"You really don't show much care for your storage facilities," Heda said. "For a man who claims to be the best in all Runemecia, you sure are negligent."

Friede shot a reproachful glance at Heda, but no one saw it as the torch bearer was busy closing the door after him. Sylens chuckled.

"I'm pretty sure my lady knows of my real business in this town," he said. "Faro, what's taking so long?" he then yelled for the brawny torch bearer. "For Aella's sake, why bless me with such wealth and curse me with ignorant fools as servants?"

"Aella's got nothing to do with your poor skill in recognizing talent," Friede retorted. "The man is more suited for battle, not heavy lifting."

"The man is suited for what I say he's suited for," Sylens dryly said. "Now would you be so kind as to accompany me to my private study? I'd rather discuss business with you than talk of my men's worth."

The ladies nodded and Sylens escorted them to small cubical room with nothing but a desk and two wooden chairs for visitors. He sat across from the desk and invited the ladies to take their seats. Wine had already been served, while numerous bottles lay on display atop the desk.

"Pardon the poor conditions of the place," Sylens said. "But no prying ears shall reach us here. Now, to what do I owe this unexpected, yet charming visit to?"

"Friede tells me you have the strangest of powers," Heda said. "She also tells me you can move in the blink of an eye, get to places unnoticed."

"I am not a killer for hire," Sylens said, jaws tightly clenched. "Nor am I a common thief."

"We're not asking you to steal or kill anyone Sylens," Friede said. "We're offering a partners.h.i.+p."

Sylens snorted. "And what could you possibly offer me?" he said. "I already get what I want. Soon, n.o.body would dare stand in my way."

"Your powers will expire If you don't tend to them properly," Heda said. "You remain untrained, while your compet.i.tor only grows stronger."

"Compet.i.tor?" Sylens squinted at her then turned to look at Friede. "What's she on about?"

"Haven't you heard the song before you received your powers?" Friede asked.

"Haven't you heard it call to you from across the seas?" Heda added. "You surely feel power pulsating inside you. You must also feel limited, as if you could do more, but you don't know how."

"And pray tell me," Sylens adjusted himself on his seat then said. "How do you fit in the picture?"  

"First." Heda grinned then said, "I need to know I'm working with the right man."

"What would you have me do?" Sylens asked. "Juggle some bottles for your entertainment?"

Heda burst out laughing. "Nothing so demeaning I'm afraid," she said. "I'd have you demonstrate your powers."

Sylens scoffed. "What do I get from doing this besides exposing myself?" he asked.

"Let's make it more interesting then," Friede said. "I know you can move at unimaginable speed. How about you try and s.n.a.t.c.h that bottle before Heda gets to it?"

"That's a rare Château de Maine. Its grapes were hand sorted, twenty years ago, aged 24 months in oak. You're asking me to risk a bottle worth two Galleons!" Sylens protested.

"I'll refund it," Heda said. "I'll even double the offer in case you get the bottle from my hands."

Sylens rose from his chair, beaming. "Now that's a game I'm willing to partake in. How do we do this?"

"You do what you do," Heda said. "Try to get the bottle, and the money shall be yours."

"It's mine alright!" Sylens said then dashed toward the bottle.

It all happened very fast. In a split second, the bottle fell down from Heda's hands then landed on her lap, safe, untouched. Sylens fell on the floor by Heda's feet. He was panting heavily, cursing in languages known and long forgotten.

"How did you do that?" he asked after regaining his composure – which meant three cups of wine and a long tirade of curses at all the G.o.ds.

"You control time," Heda said. "You can stop it and move freely. I merely knew you were far too excited to hold the bottle firmly in your hand. It was wet from the drink you spilled on it earlier. Besides, you –"

"What she means to say," Friede interrupted, "is that she knew what was about to happen. She even told me to bet on the Château de Mane bottle before we got to your villa."

Sylens's jaw fell to the floor. "You have powers too?" he asked.

"There's much we can do for each other," Heda said. "If you accept to work with us that is."

"Work of what nature, if I may ask?" Sylens said.

"A simple handshake would show you." Heda extended her hand toward Sylens then went on, "Inject some of your energy into it, as though you were about to activate your powers."

Sylens shook Heda's hand and visions of things yet to happen flashed before his eyes. Upon breaking contact with her, Sylens felt a cold s.h.i.+ver run down his spine. Heda was smiling at him, observing him with twinkling green eyes. She looked like a teenager who'd just got what she dearly desired.

"Your powers are truly terrifying," Sylens said with a coa.r.s.e voice. His hands rushed to a cup and gulped its content down to the last drop. "What I saw…" he said, his hands shaking.

"What you saw was meant only for you," Heda said. "Do us a favor and refrain from sharing your experience with us."

Friede exchanged quick glances with Heda. The latter gave her a subtle, approving nod to which Friede replied with a warm smile.

"This means you've seen something entirely different," Sylens said.

"All in our favor," Heda said, still smiling. She raised a gla.s.s to the others, beaming. "To a brighter future," she said.

"To a world without borders," Friede said then met Heda's gla.s.s with one of her own.

"And without Custodians that breathe down our necks every d.a.m.n day!" Sylens took a bottle and met their toast with a euphoric laughter.