Excerpt: Truth-Seekers

"The Truth-seekers descended of Fiorennes Demoiselle and Caden Flagrante is not welcome here," I read aloud. Not sure whether I should be insulted or amused, I looked around Trestle Keep. One of many border towns, Trestle was the one I had to come across first in my journey to relative peace and freedom.
I snorted sourly, peace, ha, ha, ha as if there was such a quality within my life. The Truth-seeker visions ran strong in my blood, far stronger than witnessed in four generations. "Maybe my problem is I'm too good at what I am." Although I wished to speak to someone within Trestle Keep, in my gut, I knew I wouldn't succeed entering the town.
Even from where I stood fifty feet from the gates, unfriendly energy hummed. Someone within had no liking for men and women with Truth power singing in their blood. I would either fry or fall prey to wasting illness should I enter without welcome. I didn't find such a fate pleasant.
I exhaled, pondering my problem, and shrugged. "So be it, I will merely find another place to sleep." Such as a deserted meadow preferably not located beneath a tree of all things. Thunderous clouds and lightning filled the night and days rather harshly of late. I could likely lay the problem at my relatives' feet, those who drove me out when I was framed.
Fiorennes Demoiselles Truth-seekers weren't welcome in general any longer anywhere. The change hadn't come swiftly but with time, as did other minute alterations to ordinary life. I brushed dark brown hair from my face. Well with this wrinkle in my plans, I would be able to avoid facing a relative who was also outcast after all. My foster brother Cairn Rainier was in there somewhere.
A sour pain twisted my mouth. He'd warned me the same stunt would be pulled on my head that was used to drive him away. At least I'd been forewarned long enough to plan my departure accordingly. What I hadn't expected was the elements that were used against me. Someone in that mountain castle wanted me permanently eradicated. I shook my head.
Ah well, I can always go into Morass and Chassis border towns. They shouldn't be hostile to one such as me. Then there was the wilderness beyond. I shivered because rumors of outlaw gargoyles roaming in the thickets worried me. I wasn't entirely sure of my welcome out there. However, I wasn't without wiles if I had to use such tactics. "I despise having to use female wiles. I get into more trouble than they're worth." Muttering, I worked my way around the border town. I frowned at the size of it and paused. Odd, I shifted my head to the left and right. Oh lovely, I would have to go through anyway in order to get to the other side. Charming, I wondered what the point was in putting up the sign in the first place.
With a sigh, I tamped my abilities into a small part of my mind. I made sure I was my usual ordinary self when I slowly limped to the gate. That hadn't changed positions either; unease curdled what remained of my mid-day meal. I truly abhorred nasty tricks such as the kind being employed by the sorcerers living within the outer walls.
I looked to the left and right, my eyebrows rose when I realized they stared at me and beyond evidently seeking the reason I walked alone. I heaved a sigh. "I only come with peaceful intent. I won't use my inherent ability as long as I'm left unprovoked." I could hope that would satisfy those idiots above.
Born of sorcerer blood I might be, but a wielder of actual magic I wasn't. I excelled in domestic arts but for the Truth-seeker skills that manifested when I reached sixteen. Four bloody annoying years later, I obtained control of the abilities at a high cost. I wasn't a virgin any longer, but I was better off than before even if I had lost the respect of my mountain familial tribe.