Book One – Chapter 12

“Places of change offer many futures,” Faroah said while putting on a pair of oversized spectacles adorned with an array of mismatched lenses. Each lens had a different purpose, and was enchanted respectively. Faroah did not need the spectacles to see into the future, but to limit his perception. He simply saw a lot of things all the time, even just in this time here and now; things surrounding him within the temple. Of some, he never spoke, because that would quite terribly frighten people or make them think he was mad. The glasses helped to filter and focus his vision. He adjusted the spectacles on his nose, which promptly slid down to rest precariously on the tip. And then he did his thing, where he looked and listened, felt and smelt, and tasted for the far and distant futures that were open for the young witch in front of him.

Faroah would best describe the future as a complex dish, a conundrum wrapped in an enigma smothered in a riddle and slathered with mystery sauce. Yet amidst the perplexity of components and flavours, there was always a recipe, and if you but found all the ingredients and cooking utensils laid out by the present, you could quite well guess what was brewing. Looking into the witch, Faroah saw who was coming to dinner. Looking beyond her, he discerned what would be on her plate.

In Faroah’s experience, most guests arrived and simply accepted their pre-prepared meals without fuss, content to eat what was served. However, there were always a few dissenters who rebelled against the set meal of the day. They might argue out of sheer necessity, insisting on something different for dear life, citing allergies, dietary restrictions and whatnot. They might also argue even if the set course was perfectly fine, simply because their expectations were not met.

Some grumbled quietly, their discontent murmurs barely audible above the clatter of plates and chatter of conversation. Others, however, were far less subtle in their dissatisfaction. These individuals made their protests known with boisterous and rude exclamations, seeking to draw attention from their fellow diners. For them, causing a scene was not just an unintended consequence but rather a deliberate tactic to get what they wanted.