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“Right this way,” Talon said, walking briskly in front of Lily, she was one of the few allowed to walk in front of the princess.
“Why has Grandfather called me to his chambers?” Lily asked, looking down at her feet. “Why not Marile? Or Palrim? Surely, he’d want to see the future King, instead of the third in line.”
“You know your grandfather has always liked something about you, and you won’t deny, you like that.”
Walking up to the great oak doors that held her grandfather, Lily closed her eyes, and took one deep breath.
Talon pushed a strand of jet black out of her face, and smiled gently down at Lily. “Go on, sweetheart, you can do it.”
Lily nodded, and then pushed open the door. “Grandfather?”
Talric Tarin was sitting upright in his bed, his falcon, Salim, was perched on the headboard, wings drooping, eyes shimmering with memories of him and his master.
Not much was known about Talric and Salim, only that as a young man, Talric had gone on a quest to fight a troll uprising in the south. He came back, half dead, with Lily’s grandmother, a peasant who was half nymph, and that falcon, perched on his shoulder.
Salim had been with Talric for over fifty years, and that caused a lot of speculation. Most thought Salim was a demon, some a gift from the Sages for showing bravery at Brui Run, where he fought the troll king, Halindur.
All Lily knew, was that Salim had always been there, as familiar and kind as her grandfather was.
“Ah, hello little flower!” Talric said, smiling broadly.
Talric was a strong man, even in his old age, but now, he looked strangely weak to Lily. His eyes were missing the light they usually had, and even his smile was weak, despite how large it was.
“Hello Grandfather. You wanted to see me?” Lily said, sitting at the end of the bed, looking wide eyed at her grandfather.
“Yes, my dear. I need to tell you something, give you something,” Talric said, beckoning her closer.
Lily stood up, walked to the head of the bed, and then knelt by her grandfather.
“You know of my battle at Brui Run, don’t you my dear?”
“Of course Grandfather. It’s my favorite story!”
“Good. Do you know why I was at Brui Run at all?”
“Because…because…you were king?” Lily offered.
“No, because I had a duty to serve, something my mother gave to me, as her grandmother gave to her. I of course, had no choice, for I was born when she died. You, though, my little flower, have a choice.”
Lily looked at him confused. “Shouldn’t you be giving this to Father then? He’s your son, and he’s King.”
“No, Lily, this is something that was destined for you to have. Rilus will be too busy in the coming years to take care of this anyhow.” He paused and looked Lily right in the eye, before saying slowly, “I wish to give you something, to you it will be a burden, to others a blessing. Please, my little flower, take this burden, for the good of all Fain. Take it for your country.”
Lily nodded slowly, and then said softly, “I will take your burden, and uphold it with honor, whatever it is.”
“Good, now listen closely. You may tell no one of this, Talon is the only one that can know, is that perfectly clear?”
“Yes, but…not even Robin?” Lily asked, lowering her voice to whisper.
“Tell Robin only if it is absolutely necessary. He may be your best friend, but it’s best not to take any chances. Besides, Cathlina would be furious if she found out you were sharing family secrets with the stable boy,” Talric said, referring to Lily’s mother with a wink.
Lily smiled, and then whispered, “I promise I will not tell unless it is absolutely necessary, as in if it means life or death, for me or someone else.”
“Good, now hold out your hand, palms up. That’s a good girl.”
Talric gently placed his hand over his granddaughter’s, closing his eyes in concentration. Lily squeaked as a mild shock went through her hand.
When Talric finally opened his eyes, they were duller than ever. He whispered softly, “My burden is yours now, it is a gift as well as a curse. Use it for good, and prove to the world you are worthy of it. When you fully understand this burden, and are fighting an impossible battle, go to Brui Run, and you will get a sign. That’s where I got my sign, and I’m sure it is where you will get yours. Good luck my little flower, and good bye.”
Salim gave a soft cry, and stroked his wing over Lily’s head, like he always did. Then, Talric Tarin, one of the greatest kings of witches and wizards, a warrior who had fought many battles, and a great hero to his people, died with his beloved falcon.
Lily felt hot tears slid down her face, and felt her throat tighten. She looked down at her right hand. In the middle of her palm, was a dark crescent moon