Part Sixty-four
As Dale followed Tsuki from the guesthouse, with no further goodbye to those inside, Beryl also came and called out to them. "Get your gear and horses if you will, but I will not accept any concern for an elder's safety on your part and stay in the Wood while Caerig may have need. I will start after him now."
Tsuki did not speak, but continued to the horses. Dale stopped a moment to turn and speak to Beryl, "Perhaps it is true you would do more good for the Elves than for Tsuki and I, but then perhaps you can do more for Kato than for the Elves. We will bring your mount."
"No, gone," Beryl called, already walking away. He carried no supplies or gear, only his weapons, but then, Eldsbridge was only a day's run for an Elf and the Wood provided much until then.
"Tsuki," Dale called, "We travel light!" Dale then ran after him.
Within the house, Elven Princess, Scholar and Witch remained with the Orcs. Laurel announced that she and Fei would retire to their chamber, but there they would not rest until they had first prepared what weapons and defenses they were able, should there be any need of them.
"If any of you have need, call for us," Fei said. He bowed and then made his way to the door.
"Duma," Laurel said, "In the absence of Dale and Beryl you may trust in me if you have need."
"And in me also, Duma," Lenaduiniel said, "The Elves of this Wood will not reject you simply because Dale and Beryl are gone. I think they do respect you. Elves are passionate beings and…"
"They may become emotional," Duma said quietly. "Thank you."
Ugarit watched until the other females had left with the Man and spoke then. "You will go after Dale."
"I do not really need to."
"They have admitted their orders and gone to deliver the message. You must learn what the message is."
"I do not believe Dale is our enemy."
"It does not matter what you believe, if you cannot give proof to convince less clever Orcs," Ugarit said firmly.
This convinced Duma, as he knew some Orcs who seemed not clever. It was not enough to believe, not where the Clan or all Clans were concerned. He needed proof. Duma put the partially restored bauble in his pouch and then quickly gathered up his weaponry. His leather clothing was missing still, but he decided to leave quietly in Elven garments rather than alert anyone to his departure by making a search for gear.
Kato had thought through his plan, driven by compulsion to complete his mission fed by his desire to spare his escorts, who had become his friends, the difficult decision of choosing between the mission and helping young Elves in danger. Perhaps, Kato had thought, the danger was again dependant on his presence and leaving would save the others. He had planned so well as to take Brethil, so that Beryl would not follow so quickly, but what he had not planned on, due to his limited knowledge of Elven ways and compelled state, was Beryl being a skilled branch walker or the horse being so loyal to the Elf.
Beryl had not exhibited this skill for Kato, but now he ran across winter bare branches from one tree to the next and covered much distance, unnoticed by the Halfling, who despite being more worldly than most of his race, did not so often think to look upwards for pursuers. Elves were fast, not so fast as horses, but when the Elf ran over branches and the horse over pebbled road, there was less difference between their speeds. Beryl only had to get close enough for his whistle to be heard through the air and Brethil would halt and turn about.
Dale and Tsuki had gathered weapons and only a portion of their gear before riding out and so the rode quickly after Kato, following the road, but putting it to their flank, so that hooves touched leaves, twigs and dirt, rather than stone and pebble. Moon-halo navigated through the trees more easily than Nightmare and being lighter and bred for speed, Tsuki rode well ahead of Dale through their search.
When Tsuki caught up with Beryl, it was nearly dawn, and the Elf already stood in the road holding Brethil's lead. Kato perched nervously on the horse's back. Dale joined them soon, as Tsuki was pacing Moon-halo slowly back and forth over a small stretch of road to cool the animal from its run.
Dale had already dismounted and stopped to catch his breath as even Elves were wont to do after a run.
"I am sorry, Friends, but it is my mission to complete, and I believed you would do better to stay to help the Elves, or perhaps in leaving I would draw some danger from their charmed settlement."
"Kato," Dale said near-breathlessly, "it is our duty to protect you. The Elves of the Silver Wood seem more dear to me than most, but I have no great debt or duty to them. You should not have ridden off alone."
"And force my pregnant mare to race so!" Beryl added. "I had hoped to keep her in some safe place, such as the wood, until she birthed her foal, as we were so near our destination."
"I am sorry, Friends," Kato said again, "but do not ask me to turn back."
"No. We will go along with you," Tsuki said.
"At a somewhat more cautious pace," Beryl added. He then led Brethil off the road and once upon the carpet of dry leaves, walked south, leading the horse, and Kato on her back.
Tsuki then followed, riding Moon-halo, and Dale strode beside the horse, with Nightmare following of his own will.
Scouts of the Rómendar saw their passage and hurried back to their hiding places to report. Setsugekka was there, awake, but kneeling upon her bedroll, sipping tea she had brewed with her potions set. Annavala was close by her, sharing some tea, as others of her people were variously at rest or on guard. Lord Khyarhrondo was among those sleeping, but his most trusted guards woke him when the scouts entered.
Another team of scouts ran out to continue the watch as the first came to their Lord to report. They told of the night passing of the Halfling and three others with him. When Setsugekka heard their descriptions, being not far from the Lord's place, she knew that the red-haired Elf of the west was the one she had met. Even the description of the horse was the same.
"The Sea will know of this," Khyarhrondo said, softly, as they did not wish their numbers to be heard in the wood. The Blue Wizards had means of knowing what happened, even far from their refuge. "Anca, the Ranger, will meet the Halfling in the Man town east of the old bridge. He will take him to The Sea. Then we soon will have means of striking the abominations from the land, and the west will be open to us."
"Is it necessary to strike these twisted creatures in order to move into the west?" Setsugekka asked. "You will kill them all?"
"We are not afraid of them!" one said, "They are abominations. They are as those who do not know their own dishonor and so avoid the blade rather than accept an honorable end."
Another said, "If they were as we are, they would not wish to live in such a state, bound to servitude of the Dark, but as they are so bound, they cannot seek death, and so we must mercifully give it to them."
"I see, a cursed mindless slave to evil should be put out of its miserable existence, but would not such a being seem mindless and without conscience or regrets? Would not one who deserved this mercy of yours avoid the blade?"
"Yes, this is how we find them," Khyarhrondo said levelly.
"I have seen one that was different."
"Seen one?" Annavala demanded. "Have we not warned you…?"
"I looked on this creature with the sight granted my by my God and he seemed one who would not avoid the blade. I say, if a twisted creature who does not know his flaws and avoids the blade is one who should be cut, then should not one who would welcome the blade be spared, by the same logic, though he be twisted still. If he is able to regret, then some good Elven nature remains. If there is one, there may be more than one, and if this is true, how can you kill any without being kin-slayers, unless you examine each one to know their heart?"
"What is this? It cannot be true?" one among them said loudly.
"Spare the abominations? It is madness?"
Lord Khyarhrondo put up his hand in gesture for silence and peace. He spoke them calmly, yet in a firm tone, "The Priestess is not wrong to question. Our own young have from time to time asked the same. As many of you do know, in the past, some of our kind met the abominations and saw them as kindred who might yet be restored or rehabilitated. Each of these, in their well-meaning, was taken and became themselves twisted by sorcery and added to the numbers of abominations. To hesitate before them and examine them is to be captured or killed. They are not so twisted that they cannot be challenging or dangerous adversaries. We cannot hesitate in slaying any of the abominations. If they welcome the blade, then they may still possess some spirit which will dwell thereafter in peace with our release. Whether they resist or not, it is right to take their lives."
"Even now, when their Masters are dead and defeated? Can we know they are yet slaves to evil? If there is some chance these creatures can know compassion, or regret, should we not try…risk being captured to spare lives that may be…worthwhile?"
"Your life is not your own to risk, and as Lord, I cannot risk the lives of all those that follow me by asking such a thing. It has been tried, in the past. These abominations do not deserve life."
"As you say."
"The Sea has charged us with your keeping while we awaited the time to act, but now, hearing this report, and your own opinions, I judge is time you returned to your Master. I will not risk your life, but I will not be responsible for watching one eager to risk their own life when battle may soon be upon us. There are many abominations who have left the mountains, and so we will likely be obliged to take their lives in open battle. I prefer it this way to the manner the Wizards suggest, though I pledged myself to their plan. Annavala will escort you to your Master."
"My Lord…!" Annavala began, and then fell silent. She did not mind being escort to the Priestess, and she accepted all orders from her Lord, but she disliked the idea of being away from him when battle approached. Forhrondo had also pledged himself to the Wizards' plan, but Annavala suspected that he would not be grieved if Khyarhrondo fell in battle and all the Rómendar would come under his dominion. "My Lord, I will not fail in this duty."
Khyarhrondo went to his granddaughter before her departure and spoke to her privately. "I know that you would rather see battle, and I would be glad to have you with me. I need someone I may trust entirely to escort the Priestess. I do not regret that the Blue Wizards negotiated peaces between Forhrondo and myself, because I believe such a peace is in the best interest of our people, but I would be a fool to forget the reasons we were in discord."
"I will see Setsugekka to The Sea and return to you."
"Return quickly."
Far to the north, winter came with a sting, where those in the south had barely felt its chill. The snow blew into the cabin around The Brown's robes as he called on the members of White Rabbit Squadron. They were barely rested from recent watch duty and gathered about the hearth.
"Drink your tea while you may," The Brown said to them, his voice strong, despite his aged appearance. "It is time I told you what tasks your squad mates have gone off to accomplish, and then you must head out with me."
The Brown sat among them on simple bench and chairs and told them of the orders Dale and Tsuki had been given, how these orders had come to the fort from another and how the Elf-King claimed these orders had come from some imposter. "Some of the senior Rangers and myself heard rumors during the war, that the Blue Wizards, numbering two, had gone into the east, beyond the Dark Lord's domain, to seek Men willing to rebel or else some wealth of resource or knowledge that would aid the Free Peoples in battle. Some said they sought lost lines of Elves, which were known only in legend and thought extinguished by most. There were rumors, whispers, that the Blue Wizards were returning, but by that time, the Dark Lord's power had been destroyed and he was defeated. I cannot say what these Wizards may have discovered or how they may have changed in their travels there, but I greatly suspect they are involved in this deception, as our courier was known to have been dispatched to us by a Wizard. At the time I assumed, too foolishly, that it was another, but now I know it was not. I do not know the exact refuge of these Wizards, but the search must begin somewhere, and though I would not send Men…or Elves, or Halfling, to confront a Wizard, there will likely be other obstacles that you may aid me in dealing with. Our hope should be to learn what plot we have fallen into, before our Tsuki and Dale do more harm than good, but I fear we may be too late already. I know not if my word will reach them, yet I must not despair."
"We are with you, of course," Brandy promised for all, "we will prepare at once. Only, pray tell us, how many provisions we should have need of."
"Time is of the essence, but winter has stricken the north early I think. It is perhaps magic worked against us, but could as well be a year that is merely cold. I would aim to travel light, but we can spare little time to hunt and forage. Pack all the foodstuffs that will travel. We will make due with that."
"I think that you must speak more specifically to the Halfling, Master Brown, as he will pack all the jams and syrup he has labored through the to the second frost to preserve against winter," Dior said merrily.
"Ranger Potter, I charge you with packing a supply of food. Dior, if you would be so good as to make certain there is a pair of blankets, a sturdy cloak or coat, and several pairs of stockings for each of your Squad, then we will soon be underway. I ask your Squad leader to see that you have weapons. We will go to the Arms Warden on our way to ask for further supply of arrows. Leofheru, go now to the stables and see what mounts are available to us. I suspect you are the only one among us who brought a horse of your own to the fort."
This was true, and Leo went in haste to the stable. The Rangers serving there provided horses as all had received word to supply the Brown and any who went with him. In little time the members of White Rabbit Squad set out with the fort's resident Wizard.
The Brown saw that the Rangers wished to know where they would travel. He had prepared them for the journey, but not yet named their destination. "Now, Cal, you will be our scout. We head for the most ancient capitol of the north. I feel we will find some lead there, if not the answers we seek."
"Yes, Sir," Cal replied. He knew the route well enough, as his home was also to the west. They would pass by, or through another ancient city of the North, now under restoration by Rangers, and then further west through the hills to a lake. Cal's people lived north of the lake, and to the south were ruins the young had sometimes dared explore, but many feared. The city had fallen in ancient times when the northern lands were divided into small kingdoms, and was believed haunted.
A place with such a reputation was most suitable to hiding things that one did not desire noticed.
The snow was falling steadily, when Kato and his three escorts finally reached the settlement of Eldsbridge. The air was frosty, but the earth was not yet so cold. The snowflakes melted as they touched the ground, making pebbles, leaves and dirt slick. It was late afternoon and the sun was a dim glow above the clouds.
Even in the snow, there were people and animals in the crossroads. A vender sold cloaks and oilcloth. A boy drove a pig with a stick. A man stood eating a carrot.
"Shall we find some shelter here or some place to go indoors, at least, or are we to find this contact straight away?" Dale asked.
"I thought perhaps we might go there," Kato said, pointing out one of the simple timber and daub buildings. A sign hung above its door, naming the establishment Trader Kato's.
"Suppose he really is a merchant," Dale warbled.
"Did you doubt that about him?" Tsuki asked.
Dale shrugged, and patted Nightmare's neck as he leaned against the horse. He followed after Beryl, and Kato upon Brethil. At the Halfling's direction, Beryl walked around the row of common structures and then to the back side of the building. There a simple, roofed port sheltered workhorses and in the yard several wains with tarps pitched overtop stood in various states of loading or unloading as Men carried cargo to and from the store.
Kato called out, naming some of the Men, and soon he was recognized as their Master. Several Men left their work to approach Kato, as Beryl was lifting him down from the horse. They were well-tanned and dark of hair, these Men, and obviously of a southern breed. They possessed strong accents when they spoke, but used the Common Speech of the west.
"Master Kato, we received word some days ago that you would be traveling this way. We feared you had been waylaid by Orcs! Are you well? Who are these Elves? Of the Wood nearby?"
"Have you heard of the Orc troubles?"
"It has been so busy here, new shipment everyday, every shelf and cupboard is full, though wains go out daily. We are prepared for winter, Master."
"I will answer all your questions. Please, my companions and I wish to get warm for a bit and perhaps have a bit to eat."
"Master Kato, we will prepare your favorites. The very best. Is this other companion of yours from the east?"
"These three are all escorts hired for my protection on this journey…of course I still trust you Men, but I had my reasons to hire these fellows. They are now my friends, so treat them well."
The Men of the south bowed to Kato and assured him that they would have a meal prepared and that all would be as he asked.
Kato then entered the store through the rear entrance, knowing it well enough. He was more often in the north, but his trips here were regular now and he had overseen the establishment of this trading post personally. Inside there were several private rooms, accessible only to those who worked the store. Some of these were storerooms, for particular items they did not wish all to see, or else did not want all to see the quantity they had stocked. There was an office, where money was counted and records kept, and a sort of common room, where meals might be prepared while employees rested or sat to take a break.
Kato's companions noticed at once that there was furniture scaled to Halfling size as well as for those of Mannish stature. Their damp outer garments were hung on pegs to dry, Kato's on a low peg, and the others higher.
Kato excused himself to go into the office and told his friends they might sit and rest, or go into the front of the store and have a look. Kato's Men seemed loyal to him, and so his companions trusted them to watch their small friend and sat down to rest.
Duma was very experienced with tracking and had lost Dale's trail in the snow, and somewhere along the way, he had come upon another trail and followed. He realized this was not the path of his quarry, but of some small-footed creature carrying substantial weight. Orcs were bred for hunting and Elves had followed Oromë ages before there were Orcs, so though he was inexperienced, many little signs seemed clear and obvious to Duma's eyes.
Soon, even Duma realized, he was following Setsugekka, though he did not know her name. Snaga snorted beside him and seemed to say she thought Duma a fool Orc for following a girl and that she could have led him to Beryl without difficulty, but Duma ignored the horse.
The priestess had excellent camouflage in trees and snow, but Duma found that if he stopped and looked into the distance without moving, he could detect the moving figure. Then, running ahead and repositioning, he could scan again and locate her movement.
She was heading southward, meaning to make the road that ran east without having to use the road that ran into it from the north, where Elves might see her. Her escort traveled by walking in the tree branches, and needed cover until they were free of the wood.
"Some creature is following us. Smells strange. Maybe an abomination, though he travels with a horse."
"Remain hidden," Setsugekka said softly. "It will do no good if you are seen here."
"Any who sees me must die."
"We do not have time to bury his body. Another mysterious death in this region will only hurt your plans. Leave them to their travel unless they should become a threat to me, Annavala."
It was after sunset when Setsugekka reached the road, and though Annavala had excellent night vision, Setsugekka could not see so far before her to keep from tripping without some lantern light. The snow had fallen heavily and now slowed, but clouds still blocked the moonlight. The night chill made the wet ground treacherous and the north wind that had brought the storm continued to blow, making the air bitter without the veiled sunlight to warm it.
The lantern was too easy to track, and Duma mounted Snaga to ride after the girl. He came upon her on the road, dismounted and made a bow.
"I greet you, fellow traveler, but I must be on my way," Setsugekka said firmly, as she would to any male that rode out of the woods after her.
"I would hinder not your travel," Duma said to her, in as much Elven as he was able, "but a Lady such as yourself should not go into the mountains alone at night, in snow. That is…I would not suggest it to a male, if he was also without companion or steed and carrying luggage. I will lend you my horse and walk, if you would turn west and take shelter in that small town at the crossroads." Duma then dismounted and took a small step toward Setsugekka. "There must be Mannish folk there that would offer you shelter overnight. Do you not know the manner of creatures that prey on those such as yourself in the night?"
Annavala could not understand all of Duma's words, but she was certain this was an abomination, if a strange looking one. It crossed her mind that he had slaughtered and stolen garments from the decadent Elves of the west. She dropped from the trees and in the same movement, drew her knives to attack.
Duma's night vision was superior to that of Elves and even to the Rómendar, who had spent ages waking by night and concealing themselves in dark woods and caves. He saw clearly the figure dropping from the branches and the shapes of the blades and shifted his weight quickly to cover Setsugekka.
Annavala saw Duma throw himself onto Setsugekka so that the Priestess fell to the ground and the wretch lay atop her. She screamed and lunged to attack, but Duma blocked her strike with his own knife. He swept a foot across her ankles and Annavala staggered back, uncomprehending. She was learned in close weaponless combat, but she did not expect such tactics from an abomination. They used cruel blades and blunt force to subdue and struck artlessly.
Annavala straightened and stood on guard, but silent, as she saw that rather than take advantage of his position, Duma lifted the Priestess to her feet and seemed to be offering both his horse and one of his knives to her. Duma now considered that the girl was companion or accomplice to this strange female, but there was nothing about her that said warrior, and so he thought it best she stay away from the fighting. "Go east if you must, but take the horse now and go where you may be safe," Duma said to her.
Annavala looked past the strange creature to Setsugekka. He was guarding her, this abomination. He was not protecting something he meant to claim or own, but he was releasing her, even offering an animal for her use, while putting his body between her and Annavala's knives.
His posture was defensive.
Annavala lowered her knives.
Duma lifted his knife to his quiver, where he kept it.
"I will go to the Rangers," Setsugekka said aloud, meaning the message for both, if they understood her words. Annavala would know that Setsugekka would contact Cinsley and arrange passage to the Wizard's refuge. The other would know that there was no longer any need to fight. Setsugekka would do as he suggested and seek aid from Men in the town.
Annavala watched the Priestess ride away, that strange one running after her. Surely, that one had met with Setsugekka before, and so she had asked their Lord if one of the abominations might be worthy of life. Annavala knew that one had been willing to take a wound to protect Setsugekka, though she did not belong to him. That was not the action of an abomination. Even if some Master had ordered them to bring in prisoners alive, they often failed in this, because their ravenous nature prevented it.
Could this be, she wondered. Could there be abominations that were capable of selfless action inspired by some conscience or goodness, in the absence of a Dark Lord or Master?
Beryl, Dale and Tsuki had been served herbal brews spiked with spirits to warm them and eaten some dried meats and fruits. They had had time enough to sit on well shaped or soft furnishings and also to warm their feet, and though they had not had sleep now in many hours, they felt refreshed and went into the front of the store to see what Kato traded.
The space seemed large, though each area within was made cozy, as overstocked shelves were placed with narrow aisles between, crates were piled near to the ceiling, baskets lined already narrow walkways, and many rods, baskets and hooks suspended from the ceiling by cordage dangled goods overhead. In some places a small chest or collection of baskets had been placed in what formerly had been an aisle, and visitors were forced to navigate their way through a maze of merchandise to make their way to trading counter or doors. In fact, Kato had precisely arranged things such that the most valuable objects could not be taken to the door without first passing the trading counter and its staff. Also, the objects seen near the entrance were attractive and brightly colored, but common, small and easily produced, so that it any be inclined to steal, they might be attracted to these small items and loss would not be severe.
Many goods could be found in Trader Kato's, food, textiles, clothing, weaponry, medicinal herbs, tools, useful and decorative items for the home, and even luxury items such as books, Wizard-made devices for the privileged scullery maid, musical instruments and artworks.
"Tsuki, look here, hand-carved Easterling talismans!" Dale called.
Tsuki maneuvered around large flat baskets filled with imported fabrics to look upon the shelves. "But this is only some of my whittling!"
Dale laughed. "I think someone from River Forge has been through here to trade."
"How much do they ask for them?"
"Like everything here, the value is negotiable."
Beryl came from the next aisle and looked at the fabrics in the baskets. He rubbed some between his fingers to know the texture.
"Do Elves make paperweights?" Tsuki asked.
"My kin did not even write upon paper."
"They use polished stones to lay open any scrolls they read," Beryl answered.
Tsuki took from the shelf a blue orb. It was heavier than he had expected and when he cupped it in his hands, he felt some magic or force reached out to him. "I thought it only glass, but I think perhaps it is some large gem smoothed to a sphere."
"Put that thing down!" Beryl hissed. "Fool Halfling! Does he not realize what has happened into his shop?"
"What is it?" Dale asked. Tsuki still held the so-called paperweight and it appeared a deep blue sphere that seemed to have a star glinting at its center. "It is beautiful. Maybe Kato will let us keep it."
"Keep it? Put it down, I tell you!" Beryl commanded in harsh whisper. "I would expect one with any knowledge in Wizardry to know a seeing stone."
"Can it be?" Tsuki asked. "I have heard of such things. My Master spoke of them. I think perhaps he found one…"
"Your Master?" Dale whispered.
"Dale, take it. Wrap it in some fabric. We can never know who is watching."
Dale took the stone from Tsuki; he released it to Dale easily. Dale gazed at the sphere for a moment, then took some fabric from Beryl to wrap the stone. "You seem to know a lot about them, for one who is not a Wizard," he said to Beryl.
"Wizards have sought to use them, but the stones were not originally of their Order. They were crafted by a noble Elf in places west ages ago, and then made a gift to Men who were considered Elf-friends. They were brought east by a king of that line and spread throughout his domain. There was no taint about them then, only when the next Dark Lord rose and his minions warred against Men and Elves were the stones lost or stolen. Still, though the Dark One has been destroyed, I do not think all the stones are accounted for."
"You mean, someone can see us with this?"
"They are a sort of enchanted communications device," Tsuki said.
"Wizard Speech," Dale grumbled.
"Yes. One who possesses a seeing stone may gaze into it and see things that happen far away. It is also true that the stones may all look to each other."
"Well, that seems a useful thing, though nearly Wizardry. It seems safe enough, if Elves made them. And it is pretty. Why do you fear to use it, Beryl?"
"I told you, the others are not accounted for." Beryl thought for a bit. "If I recall, there were seven. They were named in Elven Earth, Wind, Sea, Fire, Sun, Moon, and Star. Men often called them by the place each was held, but those names will make little sense, as they have been moved. I suspect this is the Star Stone, perhaps Kato can say how it came here, but it has been thought lost to all since the old city on the river was sieged, years and years ago. The Earth and Wind Stones were lost in the sea to the north, where there is often cover of ice. If I think on it, I may recall how, but I expect some king or other was trying to take them into safety or hiding and was foiled. The Sea Stone remains with one known to me, in safe keeping, so I will not name him. The Fire Stone was kept in the Wizard's Vale, as previously it was an outpost of the ancient kingdom which has been united again in our time. The Wizard who kept Tsuki in his youth, it seems, was seduced by the Dark Lord though use of the Stone, and so that one is suspected of having some taint. It was removed from that place and is in the hands of another trusted person known to me. The Sun Stone was kept in the present Capitol, from the time when it was one of two capitol cities belonging to brother-kings. The last to use it was also swain by the Dark Lord, and so it is no longer used. The Moon Stone was stolen from the second of those twin capitols in the past and kept by the Dark Lord. It is the most tainted, as the Dark Lord himself used it to seduce others who gazed into the stones. What came of it, I do not know. Still, as this one thought lost has come to be found, I fear we cannot discount those that are lost, and must always assume that some foe watches. The stones are not safe to use."
"But could we not also watch them?"
"It takes a very powerful mind to work the stone. Anyone might look
and see things, but if the mind is weak, there is the chance that they
only see what some other wishes to show. The stones do not lie, but another
mind, with a stone at their disposal might show truth out of context until
it seems lies."