Abstracted Foam [Seafaring Cradle Tales]
There is no djinn. No one hears my wishes. Deep down,
I knew it all along. I had clung to a sliver of hope, unable
to resist the temptation of the summoning ritual. In search
of stragglers, the soldiers rush toward me with weapons
drawn, sending me to the bottom of the spring.
Bubbles escape my mouth and vanish into the sky.
I bid farewell to the husband and daughter I saw in
my dream and close my eyes.
"The Prince's Beloved Tales"
I knew it all along. I had clung to a sliver of hope, unable
to resist the temptation of the summoning ritual. In search
of stragglers, the soldiers rush toward me with weapons
drawn, sending me to the bottom of the spring.
Bubbles escape my mouth and vanish into the sky.
I bid farewell to the husband and daughter I saw in
my dream and close my eyes.
Prescient Smoke [Seafaring Cradle Tales]
It's silent at the spring's edge. I begin my ritual to summon
the djinn who will grant my wishes. That I may kill the
soldiers who razed my hometown. That I may inflict
tenfold the suffering with which they burdened me.
My wish becomes smoke and drifts into the air. I close my
eyes and picture my home, burned by the soldiers. Where
once there stood a house now stands smoldering wood.
Where once there slept a family now lay charred remains.
"The Prince's Beloved Tales"
the djinn who will grant my wishes. That I may kill the
soldiers who razed my hometown. That I may inflict
tenfold the suffering with which they burdened me.
My wish becomes smoke and drifts into the air. I close my
eyes and picture my home, burned by the soldiers. Where
once there stood a house now stands smoldering wood.
Where once there slept a family now lay charred remains.
Envisioned Haze [Seafaring Cradle Tales]
Exhausted in the midst of summoning the djinn, I dreamt.
In my dream, I ran a tavern in the middle of town. I worked
during the day, and I spent my nights with my dear husband
and daughter. My days were peaceful. Tranquil.
But the agony of my heart rending in two brought me back
to reality. My husband and daughter are no more. Those
soldiers razed my village, and I lost everything. And so
I must summon the djinn—that I may have my revenge.
"The Prince's Beloved Tales"
In my dream, I ran a tavern in the middle of town. I worked
during the day, and I spent my nights with my dear husband
and daughter. My days were peaceful. Tranquil.
But the agony of my heart rending in two brought me back
to reality. My husband and daughter are no more. Those
soldiers razed my village, and I lost everything. And so
I must summon the djinn—that I may have my revenge.
A Night of Meetings [Seafaring Cradle Tales]
My work eventually took me to this kingdom. As I strolled
the nighttime city, I came across a wandering fortune teller.
Even in the dark, I could see she was beautiful, and she
proceeded to divine all things for me, from love to work.
Her fortune was this: You will bite off more than you
can chew, and lead a life well beyond your person.
Just a silly fortune, of course. I know I shouldn't take it
as gospel, and yet I can't stop thinking about it.
"A Braggart Merchant's Autobiography"
the nighttime city, I came across a wandering fortune teller.
Even in the dark, I could see she was beautiful, and she
proceeded to divine all things for me, from love to work.
Her fortune was this: You will bite off more than you
can chew, and lead a life well beyond your person.
Just a silly fortune, of course. I know I shouldn't take it
as gospel, and yet I can't stop thinking about it.
A Morning of Surprise [Seafaring Cradle Tales]
To my great surprise, the dyes I brought with me sold like
wildfire. I was invited to the palace, and the person who
guided me around was none other than the queen herself!
There was a rough, but cheery atmosphere to the place,
one unique to a land that now thrives against all odds.
As I walked the halls, I recalled what the fortune teller
said. Perhaps it was her words that led me to accomplish
this most greatest of feats.
"A Braggart Merchant's Autobiography"
wildfire. I was invited to the palace, and the person who
guided me around was none other than the queen herself!
There was a rough, but cheery atmosphere to the place,
one unique to a land that now thrives against all odds.
As I walked the halls, I recalled what the fortune teller
said. Perhaps it was her words that led me to accomplish
this most greatest of feats.
An Afternoon of Ambition [Seafaring Cradle Tales]
On the way home from the palace, I caught sight of a woman
in a corner of the courtyard. The retainer guiding me said
she was the princess, and while I couldn't see her face,
the way she moved instantly captured my eye.
I think I'll find the fortune teller again and have her
divine my future anew. Now that I have more money
than I'll ever be able to spend, I'll ask how I can find
a woman as wonderful as that princess.
"A Braggart Merchant's Autobiography"
in a corner of the courtyard. The retainer guiding me said
she was the princess, and while I couldn't see her face,
the way she moved instantly captured my eye.
I think I'll find the fortune teller again and have her
divine my future anew. Now that I have more money
than I'll ever be able to spend, I'll ask how I can find
a woman as wonderful as that princess.