The Elder beamed at Garinor with pride shining in his eyes. “You resist temptation by accepting your one vision. You are strong in that you wish to process what you saw without discussion. You are wise in that you seek advice from others instead of charging blindly ahead. You have done well, Garinor.”
Glowing with pride, Garinor couldn’t stop smiling. He basked in the praise for some time, while Elder Dorin turned and prepared some food for them, thereby allowing the boy time to process the moment.
Small, wedge-shaped sandwiches were presented on a wooden tray. Some of the sandwiches were laden with cheese; others, slices of fish, smoked meats, or a mix of finely cut vegetables. Garinor sampled and devoured every type of sandwich. He gulped down several helpings of herbal water from a glass Elder Dorin kept filled for him.
When the meal was over, Garinor leaned back, feeling rather full. Elder Dorin cleared the plates away and stood before a small floor cabinet. Garinor watched as the man reached toward one of the drawers, but he didn’t pull it open. Instead, his fingers traced downward until they touched a panel of wood that separated the drawer from the one beneath it. With a gentle push, Elder Dorin slid the panel off to the side, revealing a hidden compartment. He withdrew something and hid it in his hands. After concealing the opening again, he joined Garinor on the floor.
“These words were scribed long ago, and this parchment is old and nearly at its end,” Elder Dorin said. “It was in these words that I knew of your coming one day. It was not you in particular, mind, but someone who matches your character.
“You see, roughly one hundred years ago a prophecy was foreseen. Three figures play a role in the prophecy: a prince, a true heir, and one to choose between them. Recent events have pointed to the discovery of this prophecy, which had before been kept most secret. All revolves around a scepter, and eventually all three players will arrive at its location.
“I believe you are swept into these events for a reason. Whether you are one of the players or one who will assist in some profound way, I do not know. However, I have waited many years, as have the Elders before me, and here you sit. I trust what I have learned from my musings and readings and insights. And because I trust my intuition, I will now impart to you some knowledge.”
Elder Dorin closed his eyes at this moment and breathed deeply as if he was trying to remember the exact words to something. Garinor waited with bated breath, not daring to interrupt the man’s concentration.
“To the east, you will locate a place where you will find assistance. That which you would seek is not in a form you would know without prior understanding, and so it has been unfound. These words I give to you will guide you to an artifact that you should always keep by your side, until its demise… or yours.
“To the east,” Elder Dorin repeated, “you will find a place. Three large stones mark a site upon which you should tread. There, underneath the southern stone you will find an object so unremarkable that its very presence will alert you to its import. Do not fail to retrieve this object. And always keep it by your side.”
The man unrolled the withered parchment and took from it a small slice of stone. It looked like an old arrowhead, though very narrow. He handed it to Garinor. “It is with this device that you will find the key to the item you seek. Without it, your search will be in vain.”
In awe, Garinor took the stone and held it reverently. Elder Dorin hadn’t explained what the object would do, but its power seemed so strong, he found he couldn’t ask.
“The world exists in sets of two. Two eyes, two ears, two arms, two legs. And now, two paths. I know you pursue the king in earnest. To find him, you will rest here a while and then head to the north. You will sleep here a few hours to recover and to let the next part of your journey come within reach.
“I have also told you of a different path. That path must be taken immediately, if at all, and weary though you are, you must find the strength within to begin it at once. Either path will lead you to your destiny. Upon which road will you travel?”
Garinor should leave immediately and head east to seek the stones.