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“Consider
this....” Talon
heard a rustle of stiff cloth. The
temptation to peek seized him and he quickly looked over the window’s
edge. Firesmyth held a
golden rod and showed it to Endvar.
Talon ducked back down, his heart racing. “The
shadow knights in Cah Bel had it. It
disturbs me enough that it fell into Araknik’s hands, but what is more
disturbing is what is written upon it.
The device itself is Arcathian, by the look of the workmanship,
but see these runes?” “Yes,
it’s written in Salmi.” “Would
you like me to read it for you?” “No,” said Endvar. “My Salmi’s a little rusty but I believe I can read it.
The gray wolf who stalks his prey. But
hope arrived this late hour,
The lion who drove him away.
Caught the eagle in his nest But
an arrow from the wise man’s bow
Pierced the
gray wolf’s breast. “Do
you understand it?” asked Firesmyth.
“Well,
the gray wolf is Araknik and you’re called the Golden Lion but I
don’t know about the eagle or the wise man.” “Yes,
that is the mystery of it. It
quotes the Ox Shalay, book 23
and chapter 13, starting at stanza 19.
The only reason Araknik would go to the length of having this
engraved on a device of the lost arts is that it vexes him so.
He is as obsessed with this prophecy as he is with his own
immortality.” “An
eagle ... hmm,” Endvar mused, “why would I be described as an
eagle?” “I
do not believe it is you.” “But
I thought I was the
fulfillment of the prophecy.” Endvar
sounded a little miffed, like one who sacrificed much for a promised
reward only to be given emptiness in return.
“Ah,
you speak truly. You are
part of the fulfillment, my friend.”
“Part?” “Talon,
I believe,” explained Firesmyth, “is both the eagle and the wise
man.” |
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“Talon
is not a man and I won’t expose him to Araknik.” “He
will not be a child forever.” “Forever?
That’s worse.” And now Endvar sounded very old to Talon, “I’ve reached
the last years of my life, and I expected to see Araknik come to
justice.” In
a deep, low voice of an old friend more humbled than reprimanding,
Firesmyth replied, “The prophecy is not for your own satisfaction,
Ambassador. Nevertheless, I
believe you will see it fulfilled.” “Not
likely if I have to wait until Talon’s an adult.”
“Yes,”
Firesmyth continued, “but
you know the oracle gives no guarantees certain events will take place,
only that certain events are likely to take place.
I believe the Ox Shalay speaks the truth, though not with the same veracity as the
Scrolls of Yashu. Think of
it as probable future history.” “History?”
Endvar sighed. “I was young when I first heard those promises and now look
at me. Justice should be
swift and history takes too long.” “That
is because you do not see history like I do and as for justice, there
are many facets, angles that we do not see.” Talon
waited for a while. He
heard nothing and started to think they left the room entirely and was
about to look over the window ledge when he heard Firesmyth speak again. “I
have not come to speak about your roll, but about Talon’s. Rarely have I told anyone what they are to do even when I
held certainty for a given event. It
is far too dangerous to know one’s future before it happens ... even
my own.” “Why?”
asked Endvar. “If
you know, really know beyond a doubt, what you are to do in a future
circumstance, you might not react the way you should.
Often the unrehearsed action is the best action.” “So
why even bring it up?” “In
this case, I am afraid you might ruin it.” “Ruin
it? Ah, there you are
wrong, sage. I wouldn’t
ruin anything for my grandson.” “You
love him, do you not?” “Yes.”
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