The Golden Orb

When Magikys Cigany saw the orb, she had no words. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. She asked the shop man in Romania to tell her a little bit about it.  His name was Guaril and his black hair was as long as hers tied back in a thick ponytail. He loved sitting on his three legged stool talking to beautiful women. Magikys truly fit that bill. At that time, her dark auburn hair flowed down her back untamed. Her hazel eyes changed colors with her moods. Today Guaril caught her in a fine mood for listening at length to the history of a most unusual orb.

It was a crystal ball, Guaril explained, not just an orb.  Of course, the obvious beauty of the orb was what caught the eye. It was crystal flecked with gold inside. It was made especially for one pedestal - the pedestal of Bastet, the Egyptian cat goddess. The pedestal itself was made of pure platinum. The eyes of the cats were tiny emeralds and their collars were decorated with the finest rubies and diamonds.

Magikys interrupted for a moment to ask how such a priceless object could be on display in such a humble shop. Wasn't Guaril afraid it would be stolen?  Thieves were everywhere in his little village. Tourists, passersby, and the transient peoples that came through were not all rich.

Guaril explained. As a crystal ball, the orb made its own magic and most people in his parts were leery of stealing something that contained such magic. Magic, like a cat, chose who could own it. Many tourists had offered him much to possess the orb, which Guaril was more than happy to sell at the right price. Yet. when they attempted to pack it up, the orb would become too heavy, too hot, too slippery or bounce away and hide. There was little he could do but give the money back!

Magikys eyed the young man warily and asked what sort of elixir he used to cause these manifestations. He took great offense at her insinuation and offered to show her the orb's capabilities. She drew closer to the him. 

His hands covered the orb but did not touch it. He asked a question, "Oh Golden Orb of the Carpathians; please answer a question for your humble servant, Guaril, will I meet a beautiful woman today?"

Magikys smiled and laughed. "Guaril let me see its magic not the obvious!" Guaril attempted to steal a kiss. Magikys just inched her chair back and smiled. "THE MAGIC!" she demanded.

All of a sudden the orb began to glow. Guaril practically dropped it where he sat. He jumped up so fast his stool fell backwards. The orb glowed with a golden light and turned ever so slowly.

"Beautiful lady, I do believe you have found the magic!"

Magikys watched as the orb turned and then stopped. She slid closer and looked deep within it. She saw her family. Not her old grandfather and grandmother, but a young man and woman. They were in a gypsy camp. The woman began to scream and the man drew a knife. Then she saw shadows and a smaller orb within the orb. It melded into the larger orb and the glow ceased.

"What did you see?" Guaril asked still in a bit of shock.

Magikys returned his query with a question. She asked where the orb was from. Guaril explained it had been stolen from a gypsy tribe just before the World War II. It had passed through many hands since. He won the orb in a game of cards and had been seeking the rightful owner ever since. Guaril was a peddler and Magikys imagined for Guaril the rightful owner would also have the right price.

"I will buy this".

Guaril could not hide his delight "It appears you are the rightful owner, beautiful lady. But, tell me what did you see?"

Magikys rose from her chair and just shrugged, "My family."

Guaril and the gypsy queen came to terms and Magikys packed the orb in a lovely cotton shawl that Guaril gave her for being "so beautiful".

She smiled again, "I may see you again in the orb, my friend!"

Guaril stopped smiling. He was really not that fond of magic. "I would hope to see you instead in the flesh, my lady!" She laughed.

Magikys went to her hotel room and darkened the room. The orb glowed as soon as she placed it on the dresser. That evening she saw much of her past, asked many questions, and drank much wine. There was no doubt that this magic was magic she was destined to find. Now, she must learn how to tame it and work with it for the purposes she proposed - to learn secrets of the past and ways of the future, and most of all - to help heal those too weak to help themselves, the animals she loved who called to her in her dreams. Before, she was unable to do much, but with this orb, so much more would be possible. She would not fail it.