“Then there is nothing special or extraordinary about this child, this second-son? There’s nothing to the old legends at all?”
“Nothing to the old legends…?” The old man looked surprised. “I cast aspersion on one superstition and you are ready to throw out all the old writings as well; is that it boy?”
The youth looked properly chagrined and made no further comment, waiting upon his master’s words.
The old man smiled. “You learn quickly, boy.”
“Thank you, Master Scelwhyn,” the youth said humbly.
“I know it is tiresome for you to listen to me prattle on about events that are not taking place here in Aom-igh, but the lives of those in far-away lands do affect our own. This royal birth in Llycaelon tonight is just as important as the coronation of our own young King Jairem tomorrow.”
“No, the lessons are not tiresome, master, just confusing. And there is so much I have to learn!”
“And much you have to unlearn. Both can be cured by listening and thinking, so rest easy knowing that there is nothing severely wrong with you.” Scelwhyn laughed at the young man’s expression. “Ah, Garen, you long more for the horse and the sword than for all this book-learning and magery, I understand that, but here, I will give you a gift.”
“A gift, Master?”
“Yes, a free answer to your endless questions about the child who is being born far away in the Dark Country. A prophecy, if you will.”
“A prophecy about this second-son?”
The old wizard looked down at the boy in something halfway between exasperation and amusement. “Do you listen to a word I say boy? Or do you not trust your own ears?”
The boy looked down at his feet, “I’m sorry, Master.”
“Very good. Listen closely, for I will not suffer myself to repeat the dark words of the Llycaelon prophecy.” The look in the wizard’s eyes became faraway and distant, his voice evened out, becoming strong and soft.
In waning days of autumn gold
A shadow shall spread across the sky
A banner of darkness here foretold;
Yet a second-son that darkness defies.
Born ‘neath the sign of Yorien’s stars
He comes to turn the battle’s tide
Wanderer he, to shores afar
Warrior he, the Eagle’s pride.
Buy SECOND SON here:
http://www.amazon.com/Second-Son-Minstrels-Song-2/dp/1493554743/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1433278492&sr=8-2&keywords=jenelle+leanne+schmidt
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born and raised in the midwest, Jenelle Leanne Schmidt received her bachelor’s of science degree in English Education at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. In the tradition of J.R.R. Tolkien’s writings, she aspires to produce a series of epic adventures to delight readers of all ages. Herself a reader from a very early age, the author desires to craft stories that will be loved and enjoyed by generations to come. Jenelle currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and their three children.
Visit Jenelle’s blog:
http://jenelleschmidt.com
King's Warrior (The Minstrel's Song Book 1) Page 43
