Whistles rose up around me.No exotic beauty interested me—already my mind turned to my quest.I would have to get a good night’s sleep if I had any hope of leaving town before sunrise.Aslyn held nothing more for me—I’d found out little about Talitha here,and by tomorrow night I hoped to be in Tasnin,one town over and closer to the Gorbin Wood,where rumors claimed the nightshade grew rampant and a castle hid amid the misty trees.Perhaps that was the‘tower that cried’in the legends…the end of my quest,the prison of the princess.
Music began again,but this time it was in the form of a chant and despite my best efforts,my gaze was drawn to the stage.I recognized the street magic even as it worked its power over me.The curtain parted and out stepped the woman from the table in the marketplace,the one with the Runes.Her cloak had been discarded and she now wore a skimpy outfit dripping in fringe and dazzling jewels.Scarves twined around her,bracelets encircling her arms and legs.