The ball was made of clear crystal and was a perfect sphere, some nine inches in diameter, its surface reflecting the faces of the four women who sat huddled around it. Two of the women were blondes, their hair dangling in sun-bleached tresses down their backs, their blue eyes twinkling as they peered excitedly at the glass ball. Their companion, a sleek brunette, seemed somewhat less interested, her mouth opening in a wide yawn as she looked across the table. There, sitting directly opposite in a richly-carved chair, sat a silver-haired woman of advanced years, her purple silk robe wrapped tightly around her bony shoulders.
"Well, Morgantha," said the brunette. "What murky deeds do your old eyes see in the glass?"
"Patience, Sharmoon!" the elderly woman replied. "Have patience, for the gods of fate do not hurry about their task."
The brunette yawned again, shifting position and making her chair creak. "I need a drink," she said, poking the smaller of the two blondes. "Come on, Keelam! Let's go back to the tavern."
Both blondes grunted their disapproval at the interruption, the taller one putting a long finger to her lips.
"Hush, Sharmoon," she said softly. "Be patient. Give Morgantha time to perceive Keelam's destiny. Did you not know that fortune-telling is a sacred and serious profession, worthy of our humble respect?"
The old woman muttered quietly, mumbling incoherently at first, though her voice gradually became more audible. The smaller blonde leaned forward eagerly, hunching in her chair, trying to hear every garbled word. The sword dangling from her belt scraped the floor near her feet.
"Speak up, Morgantha, for fuck's sake!" she hissed.
Morgantha raised her hand and coughed, clearing her throat. "Patience, Keelam," she said solemnly. "Listen now to the tale of your future, as decreed by the gods of fate and fortune. Be assured that the ball of magic crystal does not lie to those of honest heart."
"I'm listening," said Keelam. "Can I ask something now, please?"
"Ask whatever you wish," Morgantha continued. "Your three questions shall be swiftly answered, by the gods of fate speaking through my throat."
Keelam inhaled deeply, her large bosom swelling beneath her buckskin dress. "Here's my first query," she ventured. "What are the chances of my hot pink tongue probing Captain Rana's cunt tonight?"
"You can't ask that kind of question," said Sharmoon, flicking a tress of dark hair out of her eyes. "Such crudeness might arouse the wrath of the gods and bring evil fortune upon your ale-soaked head."
"Not so," said Morgantha. "The ball of crystal is not afraid of lewd words, nor will it refuse to transmit Keelam's request to the mighty gods, who readily acknowledge her awesome prowess on the battlefield. The gods love a fine warrior woman and are happy to reveal their prophecies to her. See, my friends! See how the ball gleams like a lantern!"
"It doesn't look any different," Sharmoon observed. "But what do the gods say?"