Ladgas quietly entered the room.
- Mum, – Heridia’s son turned to her at once, – I love you, but I do hate him! Why has he taken to coming here so often?
- Dear, this should not worry you – she said softly. – You will help me a lot if you stay focused and try to see something.
- My brother will be back! – insisted the boy, looking straight at the tall man in dark armour.
- Of course, he will, my dear – confirmed his mother – get focused, will you, and tell me about the things that will happen.
- He will definitely come back, do you hear me, Ladgas?!
- Yes, my lord – said the commander humbly, looking down.
Nodding with visible satisfaction, the boy closed his eyes and remained silent for a long while. Then, an arch smile on his lips, he made for the table. He picked the finest quill and the smallest sheet of paper and started jotting something down. His mother wanted to intervene, but the man’s hand respectfully touched her shoulder and she remained motionless.
The boy lifted his head, and there was a cold flash in his eyes.
- I have written what I saw here.
His mother took the sheet he stretched out to her and looked it through.
- Well, then it’s… war? – she looked at her son, alarmed.
- Quite a few– nodded he.
- I don’t understand this… It’s all too vague somehow… Who are the seven?
- You two are not among them! – said the boy sharply. Once again, he caught the swarthy man’s glance and added firmly:
- I am not going to help you govern our latona, Ladgas! And no more looking into the future until my brother is back!
The warrior looked at Heridia, and with a deep bow of his head, asked:
- Will my lady allow me to read the prophecy?
She hesitated a while; cast a glance at her son’s tightly closed lips and then, looking down at hardly discernible lines, read out slowly:
Two reasons futile will bring Attakara to war.
It'll draw in all folks notwithstanding it cometh from nowhere;
The fate splits the Seven and three art in prison forlorn,
For the bond of the Man and the Elves to endure for ever.
Two miss the mark. They’ve forgotten the horrible clashes
For the feud alienated forefathers in far times of yore,
Would the man let his brothers just faggot elf captured to ashes?
Would the elf leave the man badly-hurt to be tortured in law?
For a while other two will perceive the unreal for real
Gods bechance to befall their marvelous gift on the lap of the elf
Would the man in a trice choose the easiest way or welcome the ordeal
Keeping quickened the life of the elf vengeance-venomed underhand?
The last three art tied by a threat from beyond see of gloom
Two Titans revive. Thus the man will behold after battle is through
Would the elf lose the rest forevermore in his white snow tomb
Would the friend of his perish to rest in the fick of the stone of blue.
She went silent. A smile touched the boy’s lips, and it was difficult to say was it a proud, a mocking or a mysterious smile.
- Your lordship has not said anything about time – the commander reverently addressed him with a bow. – Will everything you have mentioned, happen at the same time?
The boy tilted his head and made towards the door. The adults watched him in silence. Reaching the door, he turned halfway and with an air of arrogance said brusquely:
- It will start with the third, then the second, then the fourth and the first will be the last.