Poppy had curled up to sleep before a willow tree, and that was the last thing she remembered. When she woke up, however, she was bound and gagged on the back of a horse, staring at the back of a man.
"What's going on?" she tried to ask, but the gag blocked her words.
The man riding before her chuckled. Poppy got the feeling he understood her words, even though they were muffled. "We're just riding over the border into Paralin. Nobody will look for you there." He removed her gag.
Poppy was confused for a moment. "Are you bandits or something?"
One man laughed as though this were the funniest thing he had heard in years. "She's the first one to get it in a long time!"
Poppy felt tired and sore. "Could you please untie me now? It's very uncomfortable to be bound to the back of a horse, you know."
More laughter.
"Jeorge, untie the girl!"
   A tall boy a little older than Poppy raced over. Poppy drew a breath in spite of herself. He was handsome beyond words, beautiful and a little terrifying. He had tanned skin the color of bronze, and dark hair that swept into his warm brown eyes. He smiled at her, and Poppy felt a chill permeate the warm air. His warm hands reached over and undid her bonds with speed and accuracy. Poppy felt a strange urge to stand up and press her hands into his, but she stayed seated. Where were all these thoughts of romance coming from? Living in a gypsy caravan, she was used to a pallid existence. So why was this boy bringing out feelings in her that had never been provoked before?
"So," Poppy remarked once her bonds were discarded, "why are you bringing me somewhere on horseback and not telling me where?"
The man riding her horse answered. "Your bootprints. They carry the mark that we've been looking for. You are the first True Seer in seven generations. You, dear girl, are going to make us a fortune."
Poppy thought for an instant. "So basically, you're going to set me up telling fortunes in villages, keep all of the money I earn, and keep me with you at all times?"
The men laughed. "I think we got ourselves a smart one," one shouted.
Poppy sighed and wrapped her shawl about her shoulders. This was going to be a long ride.