Poppy fell off of the horse for the third time. The first time, Jeorge had rushed to her aid, settling her feet in the stirrups and roughing her saddle with a handful of gravel. The second time, he had chastised the horse and helped her back up. This time, he just laughed and slowed his horse a little.
"Don't you know how to ride?"
Poppy stamped, spat, and cussed smartly. "No. We only had two horses in our caravan, and they pulled the supply wagon and the decorated tents. We walked everywhere."
If Jeorge was surprised, he didn't show it. "Come on, up ya git."
   Poppy climbed back onto her horse. It was only just after dawn. The air was still damp with dew, and the sun was still weak. The plan was to ride into Soralin, advertise Poppy as the Seer with No Name, have her earn some money, and then buy dinner and a night at the inn, and then leave before dawn the next day. They would continue to do this until they found somewhere with clues about Daisy. This way, nobody would know that the Seer with No Name was an escapee from a bandit camp.
   Poppy reached into her satchel and rubbed her jewel. They were nearing Soralin, and she needed to be on her best form. The horses stopped by a stream, and she dismounted gratefully. She swam in the ripples and then slipped behind a rock. There, she changed into a fresh skirt (red), a clean blouse (white), and wrapped her shoulders and head in a shawl (burgundy). She polished her boots with some river stones, and then she stepped out. Jeorge went to change and came out in some clean trousers and a blouse. The two of them ate some bread and cheese and drank their fill of the stream's cool, clear water.
   When they reached Soralin after about an hour of riding, Poppy clambered from the saddle and stood, as tall and imperious a figure you ever did see. Not that anyone noticed her. The central square of Soralin was having a market day, so it was crowded and loud, full of laughter and song and hawker's cries. Poppy rubbed her gem nervously. Jeorge saw her anxiety and patted her hand awkwardly. He stood tall and shouted, "Ladies and gents, girls and boys, be prepared to be amazed by the wonders held by the Seer with No Name! She will tell you what lies in your future, and read your odds for just three aurae! Come and find out what your future holds!"
   A buzz of excitement flickered through the air. A line quickly formed as Poppy sat down on a tree stump. As each person had their fortune told, Jeorge collected the small gold coins called aurae. Each clink into the bag he held signaled hope. Poppy prepared to stand and leave her stump, but she heard a voice stopping her.
"Wait."
   The word was simple enough, but it halted Poppy in her tracks. There was that beautiful girl from the caravan! She was as beautiful as ever, but her face looked more haggard, more tired, and a bit less commanding. She smiled at Poppy.
"I just wanted to thank you for reading me back in Tigarlintez. It cleared my thoughts and helped me locate something missing."
   She squeezed Poppy's hands emphatically, but when Poppy looked up again, she was gone.