By Susan Lyttek
My best customer had just left with a packetful of herbs when the man I’d seen in my dreams for years ran up. His deep brown eyes darted side to side. My breath caught at his beauty.
“You have to help me!” His second unspoken words gave a reason for his terror. The king’s guards are going to kill me!
People talk a lot about the gift of second sight. It may be useful, but my family has always had something better. The gift of second sound.
I lifted the cloth that covered my market stall. “Stay here. I’ll distract them.”
He ducked under, and I could hear the gratitude roll off him in waves.
I stepped in front of my display table. “Gentlemen! Handsome soldiers such as yourselves shouldn’t be alone. Can I interest you in a love potion? Or perhaps an elixir of desire, to convince a certain young lady?”
The first one shoved me out of his path. “Get away, witch.”
I moved back in front of him. “I am an honest tradeswoman, sir. Surely, some longevity herbs for your mother?” Most of these idiots had a soft spot for their mothers.
“Bah! Can’t you tell we are too busy to trade?” He turned to his partner. “He must have turned at the last set of booths.” But I also heard the unspoken, It’s time for lunch, anyway.
Grateful that they bought the distraction, I stood in front of my booth until they were no longer in sight.
“It’s safe-ish, but come out from under there quickly, so no one spots you doing so.”
He did and leaned back into the shadows of my booth. “Thank you.” And then he left the opposite direction of the soldiers.
That face echoed in my thoughts. The dreams of it had always filled me with both joy and terror. Surely that was why my stomach twisted.
For millennia, kings prized our services. They knew that a hearer could spot a liar within a few words. Deception was a thing of the past; royalty ruled admirably. But when kings themselves wanted to deceive, and we couldn’t lie about what we heard, they killed and banished us.
Last year, my mother died, having lived in hiding all of her life. As far as I knew, I was the last hearer, and I refused to broadcast my talent. Not when King Gustave was convinced that a hearer would be the cause of his death.
The next day, the man returned.
“Hello.” I smoothed my skirt. “Why are you here? Not running this time.”
He smiled. “No, not running this time. Just coming to talk with a beautiful lady.” He looked up at my banner. “Dove’s Herbs and Potions? Do I assume you’re Dove?”
I nodded, pushing my hair away from my face. I didn’t see myself as beautiful, but his second words confirmed that he did. He asked me about the tincture for headaches, and I explained that it was simple medicine. Nothing magical. Herbs grew easily for me. We talked about the weather and the market. But his echo kept saying, beautiful, beautiful.
“Can I walk you home after the market day?”
Part of me tingled at the thought, but I had kept my home secret so long, I wasn’t ready to show anyone. “Maybe another day. We barely know each other.”
He held out his hand. “Call me Ciz, my lady.” Then, instead of shaking my hand, he bowed and kissed it. He beamed at me, the whiteness of his smile almost blinding. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Dove.”
I twisted my hands, jostling my displays and having to catch at a few falling packets.
Ciz showed up almost every day. If I were an ordinary girl, I would have thought he was toying with me. But I heard the second sounds. They had changed from beautiful to love.
One morning, he came to me with a frown.
“An evil man’s after me.” I saw a picture of the guards in my head. Somehow, my love’s nemesis had received the support of the king.
“Is there a way I can help?”
He looked down and scuffed the dirt with his shoe. “You don’t have weapons to protect me, do you?”
“Not a weapon. There’s an herb. It doesn’t kill. But it will pause your enemy’s movements so you can escape.” I tried to confirm his intent, but heard nothing. It was almost as if a wall stopped me. Odd.
“Oh Dove, that would give me such comfort!” Relief, love, relief.
I prepared it for him and told him how to use it. “Remember, only if your life’s in danger.”
“Yes, sweet Dove.”
That night, King Gustave died in his bed. Criers wandered, announcing it and canceling the market. I wasn’t sure whether I should feel relief that the man who killed hearers had died or sad that I wouldn’t see Ciz.
The next day, the same guards who had chased Ciz before showed up at my stall. “Miss Dove?”
I nodded. “Yes. Why?”
“You’re wanted at the castle.” I heard smugness.
In the royal courtyard, I saw Ciz. I ran to his side. “Are you okay?”
He laughed.
With sudden clarity, I remembered the nightmare. The face I loved. The face of my death.
He moved away. “Your preparation worked like a charm.” He added, “Why did you help me? That first day, I mean?”
I reached for him, hoping I was wrong. “You asked.”
“I never said anything then.” He grinned triumphantly. “You’re the last hearer. And you gave me what I needed.”
The guard gripped my elbow. “To the dungeon, King Narcis?”
“Of course. The hearer will be held accountable for my father’s death.”
Gustave’s son? “But… I… you…”
He took my chin in his hand. “You thought I loved you because of the second sound.” But perhaps you didn’t know some of us can project thoughts. Loudly.
His thoughts sounded like speech!
“Look deeper, hearer.”
I love … me.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kudos to anyone who can tell me what ancient story inspired this one!
Love the story! Was it inspired by the myth of Narcissus?
Exactly! You earned your kudos! And Echo, right?
Dude…. that’s …. twisty. I love it!!!!
Thanks!
Whaaaat???? I did not see that coming!
Glad I could surprise you.
Poor Dove! I totally knew he was up to no good (I hope she’s able to escape and maybe one day meet someone better?)
Thank you for giving her a way out. Who knows?
Augh, I *hate* that guy! It doesn’t seem fair when she’s had no one to teach or help her.
True. But isn’t that the way of powerful bullies? Thanks for commenting!