The Prophecy

Irving the Great's Inn | To Slindya!

When everyone was suitably seated around a hearty dinner in the great hall of the inn with its humming fireplace, the Elf King spoke. He told how one of the plainest warriors of his garrison of Glinsfàar(1) had found a group of elves wandering in the moors overlooking the Time Rift. How this soldier, inspired by the wisdom of the Eternals, had the idea of bringing them back to the camp instead of just pointing them in the direction of the Hospital City. Then everything had gone as smoothly and casually as possible: the captain of the garrison, informed of the true identity of the elves, had personally escorted them to the Royal Palace within Mintas' walls. He had introduced them to His Majesties, Full Of Grace and Knowledge.

Recovering the Pegasus had been slightly less easy. His Majesties' spies had indeed lost their tracks at the border of the two Walks, but they had no doubt that they would soon reappear. This had been confirmed early in the evening that had just ended, when the entire family of Elsius had shown up by themselves in the Palace's water gardens. They had told stories about brigands, and merchants of creatures, stories to make your hair stand on end.

They had also evoked the two dragons of Gelflings and the name of an inn located in the Plain of Knowledge. Which is why they had decided to investigate by themselves, as it was on their way to Slindya-La-Douce, anyway.

_ And what a pleasure it was to see that all ended well, the Elf King concluded. Here we are, greatly relieved to see that our most pessimistic interpretations have been rejected... which is the preferred ending for such an adventure, without a doubt! We will be able to continue our road to the Sacred Volcano with a light heart.

A roar of sympathy greeted the end of the King's speech and a toast was made in honor of the survivors and the lost now found. And in honor of those who, from afar, saw everything and guided everything.

When the meal was over, everyone gathered in the courtyard, preparing to leave for Slindya. Already the King was on his way to his eagle accompanied by Irving, with whom he seemed to be in great conversation. Big Oak tapped the innkeeper's shoulder as a friend and mounted his eagle, then, having greeted him with a wave of his hand, he flew off, closely followed by his wife and their personal guards. The warriors who surrounded the elves for their protection took off along with them. Soon only the Twins, Childeric and Half Moon remained in the courtyard. Bud was approaching to speak with Half Moon when Childeric preceded him.

_ We hadn't got the opportunity to talk, sweet niece, but I am glad that you have managed to travel so far, so quickly. Unfortunately, I cannot ride with you by land: I have to follow the protocol... he began.

_ That's ok, I understand. Anyway, Slindya is not far away now. I'll reach you before dawn.

_ Yes... he nodded. However, before I leave, I want to share a memory with you before it fades away completely. It concerns our escape from the brigands.

_ Are you talking about the way you got the brigands drunk and sleepy? What about it? replied Half Moon, reporting Bud's account of it.

_ Yes, that's exactly how it happened, only... how can I put it? I have a strong feeling that something went wrong.

_ Went wrong? What do you mean? Half Moon wondered.

_ I was the last one to come out of the brigands' hiding place. While the others were climbing the hard cliff, I stayed on the threshold praying that the brigands would not wake up. I had a kind of bad feeling...

Bud had gotten even closer. Childeric and Half Moon stared at him as one, making him finally realize that his presence was out of place.

_ Let's meet at the Golden Palace, then, he said visibly embarrassed.

_ Yes, that's exactly right, Bud, Half Moon confirmed in a dry tone.

_ Will the Strange Man who was with you accompany you?

_ The Man? Childeric replied without understanding.

_ The man who makes such a big deal of his identity that he hides it from me. The Man with the proud gray steed," she said, pointing to a place in the barn.

But there was no one there. Neither man nor steed. Nothing but straw. She held her breath. She ran into the barn, searched everywhere, stirring everything. Then she rushed into the inn. Nothing. Then she remembered that she hadn't seen him during the entire meal. She remembered not seeing him as the elf delegation landed in the courtyard. She called out to Irving but he didn't seem to know any more than she did. And she suddenly felt horribly alone. And cold.

Bud interpreted the young half elf's attitude as any gentleman would probably do: he apologized to Childeric and quickly moved away from the inn and the ground, followed closely by his brother's dragon. He wanted to scream. He held back, however.

Childeric grabbed his niece by the shoulders and pulled her to him. She was enraged. He felt her boiling, confusedly understanding what could have put her in this state of anger and fury.

_I was just beginning to trust him! she whispered in a breath. That'll teach me to trust a man!

Childeric said nothing and waited patiently. The warrior who was waiting for him was much less patient, and he made him understand that it was time to join the troop that was already far ahead of them.

_ I have to go, he said softly to Half Moon, stroking her hair.

_ By the Eternals! Yes, you're right, she said, pulling herself together abruptly. Let's not forget what really matters! Go! I'll be right behind: I won't take long to join you.

He nodded and climbed on his proud winged horse. As he was about to rise into the air, closely followed by the guard relieved by the Wise Elf man's decision, Half Moon stopped him and came as close as she could.

_ What was it you wanted to tell me, again, about your escape?

Childeric immediately became somber.

_ I don't know by what artifice we really managed to escape: not all the brigands were obviously into the grip of Siegfried's potion, for, as I turned around again to check on the brigands' state of "tranquility", I crossed the intense gaze of the Chief's right-hand man. La Mouse. With a sly smile on his lips, he looked at me with a slightly crazy look. I was trembling that he was about to signal our escape or maybe try, in some way, to stop us. He did nothing. Except, maybe, look deep inside me, as if he knew, as if he always knew it would end like this. To this day I still don't understand his attitude.

Then Childeric fell silent, put a kiss on his niece's forehead and flew away with his bodyguard.

No, still today I don't understand... he thought as he glided through the soft pinkish clouds that would carry him safely to the doors of the Golden Palace of Slindya-la-Douce.

(1)Glinsfàar: Elf Hospital City, which stands on one of the cliffs of the Time Rift, exactly opposite the Elf Royal City of Mintas.