Page 18 of Grave Situation

“Well. I suppose that’s acceptable. He’s always been very generous with his time when it comes to the mages.”

Oh, gag. I cram in another sandwich, then regret it when the healer looks at me and says, “I hope you know how lucky you are, young mage. Not everyone can be healed by someone so Talented.”

I nod again and chew frantically, swallowing a too-big lump that hurts my throat. “I made sure to tell Master Kahwyn exactly how grateful I was,” I croak. Master glances sharply at me. He knows me too well to take that at face value, but I muster an innocent smile.

“Let’s move on,” Master Cranch interjects, and as the attention turns away from me, I sag in relief and rub my throat.

“Serves you right,”Master says.“I better not find out you disrespected Master Kahwyn.”

“I thanked him sincerely,”I reply honestly. And suggested he could give me a blow job, but Master definitely doesn’t need to hear that.

“Read that part of the prophecy,” one of the dragon riders suggests, and I pick up the cheese thing, prepared to listen carefully. My memory needs a lot of refreshing.

The records master clears his throat, and alarmed glances are exchanged by the prophetic scholars. “Perhaps I could read it?” Master Leng offers. “It’s my area of expertise, after all.”

That’s a relief. I’d like to actuallyhearwhat’s being read… not to mention get to the end without the records master dying from the exertion.

Oooh, this cheese thing is good. I need to stuff some in my pockets before I go. Now I’m sad I didn’t wear a robe—the pockets are so much bigger.

Master Leng begins to read from the scroll in his measured, sonorous voice. “The Stone of All Creation shall appear only in times of great need and crisis, when the danger facing the world is beyond that of which its peoples are capable.”

I pause mid-chew. Was the population of the entire world just insulted? Who wrote this prophecy, anyway? I should probably know that.

“The danger will not be petty war, nor famine, nor pestilence. The vagaries of climes and movements of the earth and seas do not concern the Stone.”

I really should have paid attention all those years ago. Not war, famine, disease, weather, or other natural disasters? What the fuck is left? From the muted murmurs around the room, I’m not the only one getting concerned.

“Only the danger beyond death shall bring forth the Stone to render its knowledge and champion…” Master Leng trails off with a grimace. “I feel the need to explain here that this next part is one of great contention to scholars. There are many whobelieve it was a transcription error and should be stricken from all future copies made.”

“Read it as it appears and then explain,” Master Cranch instructs.

“‘Only the danger beyond death shall bring forth the Stone to render its knowledge and champion to the people.’ Many of us believe the ‘to’ is an error, and the sentence should, in fact, be ‘render its knowledge and champion the people.’ Because of course the stone itself will be our champion.”

“Bollocks,” Master Gao, another prophetic scholar, pronounces. He’s got a bushy mustache and always reminds me of the walruses that used to breed near my childhood home. It’s quite comforting. “The prophecy was dictated by the stone. The notion that it would allow any kind of mistake is the next thing to heretical. It’s as clear as can be that the stone means to choose a champion, notbethe champion.” The words have the rhythm of an old argument, as do the put-upon sigh and eye roll from Master Leng.

“Oh, please. I’vejustread that the danger is ‘beyond that of which its peoples are capable,’ and you think a single person would suddenly prove equal to the task? Be serious.”

Master Gao plants his fists on his hips and puffs out his chest. I lean forward. Could this devolve into a physical altercation? I wish there was someone here I could lay bets with. “The ‘person’ would in fact be ‘rendered’ by the stone—thechampionof thesource of all creation. Not just some random bystander!”

I hold back a shudder. If he’s right, that poor sucker’s gotta be the unluckiest person in the world right now… except for when they have to actually face whatever this danger is. That’s gonna be the worst fucking day of their life.

Probably all of our lives too.

Ugh. All those people who yammer about wanting to live in exciting times need to be kicked in the head.

“Gentlemen,” my master intervenes just as Master Leng is squaring up to Master Gao. He always did have the worst timing. “If I may… this is your chance to find out once and for all.”

They stare at him, and he gestures to the stone.

Jaws drop.

“You ask,” Master Gao says, all his usual bluster gone.

“Oh, I-I couldn’t.” Master Leng is trembling. “The answer… it would change centuries of study.”

Holy gods’ turds, are they serious? They’re not going to ask because they don’t want to give up a centuries-old argument?

Before anyone else can speak, I call, “Hey, stone, is the prophecy transcribed correctly?”

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