Free Destiny by Pedro Urvi Page A

it had something to do with my study of the powerful Ilenian magic in the Book of the Sun, but I closed the book and made sure there was no spell at work. In spite of that, the medallion kept on pulsating, something it had never done before. Intrigued, I held it in my hand, and when I did, the medallion searched for my inner energy and began to use it. That left me completely baffled, since Objects of Power don’t usually require an external source of power to act. In general, these are enchanted objects with their own characteristics and limitations. But the Somber Medallion used my energy to create a Spell, to show me a vision, and that truly amazed me.”
    “What did it show you?”
    “That’s the most important thing of all, because it showed me you .” Haradin pointed at Komir’s chest. “A helpless baby sleeping placidly in its crib, well tucked in, an almost idyllic vision. But then it showed me a much more disturbing scene. It showed three Dark Assassins. On their wrists they wore silver bracelets, and from what I could guess from the vision, there was a spell on them to find you. That’s how they got to you, Komir, by following the flashes from those charmed bracelets.”
    “But… why me?”
    “That’s the answer I don’t have, not even now, eighteen years later. I’m sorry.”
    “Did you try to stop them? Save my parents?”
    “I tried, Komir. You have to believe me when I tell you that I tried. I went to your rescue at once, and guided by the Dark Medallion I reached your parents’ house… Unfortunately I was a fraction too late. The first of the Dark Assassins had arrived a hair’s-breadth ahead of me… your parents’ blood was still running from their lifeless bodies, still-warm… I found him over your crib, dagger raised, ready to make an end of you. I cast a spell and stopped him from killing you. It was a spine-chilling confrontation, and the skill of that Assassin was unbelievable. I survived more by instinct and luck than by my own fighting skill, I have to admit. Scared, wounded and fully aware there were two more on their way, I fled with you in my arms without looking back.”
    “Is that what you want me to believe, Mage?”
    “It’s the truth, Komir, just as it happened.”
    “Do you really expect me to believe you knew nothing of my parents? Of my origin? That a medallion guided you blindly?”
    “That’s how it happened, and it’s important in a way I don’t think you’ve grasped yet, my young friend.”
    “We’re not exactly friends, Mage. Your answers are never complete, you always keep something from me. You’re after your own goals, like everybody else around me… why is this? Don’t you see I can’t trust you if you don’t tell me everything I want to know?”
    “I’m deeply sorry not to have your trust, young Norriel. I can assure you that our paths run parallel. But even so, it’s vital that you understand the importance of all I’ve told you. The Dark Medallion is the key here, as it is the Object of Power which prevented your death. This is very significant, young Norriel, as it links your life to the Ilenians. Do you understand? There is a direct link between your person and the Lost Civilization.”
    “That can’t be!” Komir burst out. “You’ve spent too many hours with your nose deep in those damned Ilenian volumes!”
    “No, Komir. The Dark Medallion foretold your death and ultimately prevented it, warning me. Why? The answer is simple and yet fiendishly complex at the same time: the Ilenians want you to live.”
    “You’re crazy! You’re all crazy with your prophecies and cursed destinies! Leave me alone, please!” Komir’s head was spinning with confusion. “The Ilenians disappeared thousands of years ago, how could they want me to live? Don’t you see it’s madness? Or am I losing my mind?”
    “Komir, I don’t have all the answers… I can only tell you what I know, what I’ve managed to decipher and understand. For some