Chapter 6: The Fortune Teller

The darkness soon dissipates as candles light the path. The farther I tread, I come across a dead end. A small wooden table is set in the middle of the alleyway. Sitting by the table is a cloaked figure. While lifting their hand, a small bell appears on a string.

Ding... ding... ding...

The stranger plays with the chime. How odd, they greet me in Ukhuni. Perhaps, they are of the hidden Elven city as myself. The prospect of commonality should raise concern. Of course, curiosity clouds my reason.

"Wamukelekile," they repeat in a gentle tone. "It's a pleasure to see you."

"Who are you?" I ask while maintaining a false sense of bravado. ‘I cannot appear threatened.’

"Oh, I am but a friend," the other pulls down his hood to reveal his face.

Sure enough, he has the same tribal markings as an Ukhuni who reaches adulthood. Amber outlines detail a golden color. His red eyes glint in the candlelight. I take a step backwards, unsure about noting a formal acquaintance with a stranger who enjoys stalking a dead-end street.

"Who are you?" I ask again with more poignancy.

"Nolwazi," the other introduces with a hand to his heart.

He adds a pause in hopes of me willfully handing over my name. ‘He could be dangerous.’ My mind races in various directions. ‘What are his intentions?’ As though Nolwazi can hear my inner thought, he clasps his hands together. With a broad smile, the Ukhuni chuckles.

"I am but a fortune teller," he clarifies while holding up a deck of cards. "To read your cards is all that I wish to do."

"I don't want to pay for some superstitious act," I scoff with arms folded tight across my chest. "Furthermore, I don't want to simply give my name to an odd folk sitting in the night!"

The fortune teller clicks his tongue in disapproval. He taps on the cards and takes his pick. I watch his movements with intrigue. My heart drops once he reveals the draw...

‘Umlingo’

"The name on the card belongs to you," the man grins with a piercing gaze. "Correct?"

"Yes," my mouth replies instantaneously. I shake my head. 'How?'

"Come and entertain me," Nolwazi insists with a wave of his hand. "The cost is nothing."

His demeanor is caught in between alarming and polite. I rub my temples. The situation is far from pleasant. In honesty, I feel trapped. Though, perhaps the buildings are to blame for such claustrophobic reactions. After some thought, I decide to take the offer. Regardless of whether or not I believe what the elf will say.

"Fine," I sigh. "I have the time to spare."

"Splendid!" Nolwazi exclaims. He shuffles and spreads out the deck. "Now pick a card."

I walk over to the small table. My eyes glance over the spread. A tingling sensation courses through my palm as my hand hovers above one card towards the end.

"This one," I declare while indicating the pick with my finger.

The Ukhuni flips the card over. ‘A... tower?’ My eyes decipher the shape. Nolwazi whistles as he peers at the design.

"You've come from a difficult past," he states as a matter of fact. "The presence of turmoil has left its mark on you now. Whatever caused an element of destruction in your life failed to be effectively resolved."

"How do you figure?" My question reflects my growing irritation. "You see my disheveled appearance and draw conclusions and make assumptions."

"Please, the cards tell me." Nolwazi softens his voice. Apparently, he does not wish to cause offense. "Once your name is known, the cards can decipher the details surrounding your life."

I look towards the loon with skepticism. Sure, Krystallia has magic, but playing cards do not have extraordinary abilities. 'Or do they?' I shake my head.

"Let's finish this quickly," I say abruptly. "I'd rather move on from this forsaken town."

The Ukhuni shakes his head. He seems to find my impatience disengaging. Apparently, I am but a player in his entertainment. I cross my arms and nod for him to continue. He shuffles the remaining cards. Once content with his ritualistic procedure, Nolwazi fans out the cards on the table. He looks towards me with an inviting gaze.

"Alright," I sigh. My hand moves as before. The tingling sensation occurs while hovering above a particular card. "This is the next one."

For the next design, I see an upside-down card. 'Does the position play a role in fortune?' my mind ponders. In terms of fortune telling, this is my first experience with the process. I do hold a doubt that only intensifies as Nolwazi narrates the current draw.

"Temperance Reversed," he taps a long finger to his chin. "The orientation suggests that you are lacking balance. The cross you bear is one of uncertainty. After years of fighting with your past, the present shows a struggle of wills. You wish to lead a fantastic lifestyle, but it costs you your sanity. Being unstable will only bring poor decisions."

With that read, I can see a level of empathy. 'Please don't pity me,' my mind thinks with a sneer. His game seems to be more inflated than posing substance. I conclude that Nolwazi must have a spell accustomed to reading one's thoughts. No matter how recessed a memory is, magic can pull that experience towards the surface. Such appears to be the most reasonable explanation to the teller's card interpretation.

"How often do you read fortunes?" I ask.

"As often as I can," he replies vaguely. "All depends on who is willing to pick a card."

"Oh, that's charming," I say with sarcasm. "With that response, I could very well be your first customer."

"Your suspicion may prove accurate," Nolwazi looks towards the night sky. "Yet, remember, you're not paying."

The statement breaks some tension. Whether or not I would like to admit it, I find him humorous. At least, comical in his previous response. 'What's the point, I'm not a customer, am I?' Technically, I am not purchasing his service. On the other hand, perhaps the free charge is due to a commonality. The fact that we are both Ukhuni.

"Oyedwa wasala," I declare with a palm to the table. "The next is supposed to read my future, correct?"

"Indeed," the odd elf nods. "Are you ready?"

I stand back and smile. 'I'm ready to be through with this silly venture.' My inner thought seems to go noticed. I can hear a long sigh fall from his lips. To please a stranger is not my duty. I personally do not hold his disappointment close. After all, I may never cross paths with Nolwazi again. 'Hopefully so.' I think with a faint smile.

As before, he places the chosen cards aside. The fortune teller brings the remaining deck in hand. Shuffle once, twice, thrice, pause and repeat. Such is the process. Once satisfied, he fans them out onto the table. He glances with a wicked smile. I shrug off the odd expression and proceed as in prior rounds.

My finger runs across the top of the cards. Perhaps the one in the center. No, that card does not feel right. Towards the end may have an answer. 'Hmmm, that's incorrect as well,' the thought occurs in sync with my intuition.

"How about this selection," I announce as I decide upon a card at the beginning of the group.

"A start to your end?" Nolwazi grins. "Great poetry!"

I disregard his words. While holding the card, I hesitate to reveal the design. The Ukhuni slams down the unselected party. His response is unexpected, and startles me. I reground myself and turn the card over. While looking at the drawing, a frown trickles on my face.

"Well, show me," the other insists with a grim expression. "I must provide you with an expert's eye."

"Expert?" my voice growls. "You can keep your dirty fortune telling to yourself!"

I thrust the card face down on the table. Once it slides in front of him, Nolwazi laughs. His response is neither comical nor joyful. In truth, there is a sinister element from the man's candor. Whatever ounce of patience is left extinguishes. I turn around and head back to the main street.

"Aren't you sure Umlingo?" Nolwazi's voice rings through the alleyway like a knell. "I thought you were a curious sort! You can at least give me the final call!"

Without turning to face the sinister elf, I stand still. My fists are clenched and I hear the word 'breathe' from within. Such advice is important during stressful scenarios. Upon my exhale, I gather my composure.

"I make my own fortune, sir," I state with conviction.

There is no response. All I can hear are the bells from afore.

Ding...ding...ding...

I turn around to see nothing but shadows. The candles, the table and even Nolwazi are nowhere to be seen. I shake my head. 'Was all just an illusion?' My doubt subsides as I recall the physicality of my experience. Indeed, the mysterious fortune teller is real.

Another truth lies in my final card.