Kalmu and Raz rode a carriage to answer Lord Lanna's summons. Kalmu and Raz had dressed in their most presentable attire: a deep red coat over white clothing for Kalmu and a bright blue coat with a white accent over black for Raz. Kalmu had also tied up his hair.
"Why would the lord call for you, so suddenly?" Kalmu asked, rhetorically. "And why would he send foreign tutors for you?"
True, it was odd that Raz had been given such tutors. It wasn't outside the realm of possibilities for Lord Lanna to assign Raz foreign tutors. But those tutors were always scholars, who were familiar with the common tongue. These Ertistani tutors were neither scholars nor familiar with the common tongue. So, why indeed. Why were they chosen to teach Raz. If the Lord simply wished for Raz to learn magic and sword, why not use one of his own men? And why not introduce them himself, instead of handing them a letter? Raz realized that there were a few explanations to this queer behavior.
Eventually, the carriage stopped. A maid of Lord Lanna opened the carriage-door. Before them stood a house that was the size of a wheat-field. It was three stories tall and had beautiful stained-glass windows. The white stainless paint of its walls made it stand out in the large, flower gardens that surrounded it, and its black-brick rooftop complimented it all too well. Raz wondered if the King of Walinda lived in a place as fabulous as this.
"Welcome," the maid greeted them, "Lord Lanna awaits your presence in his study." The maid escorted inside.
The front-door opened into a grand hall. The interior was just as fabulous as the exterior, if not more. The floor of the hallway was covered with a red carpet with golden lining. The walls were decorated with various pieces of art and hunting trophies. After walking some distance down the hall, the maid turned and knocked on the door.
"Come in," a man spoke from within, Lord Lanna, no doubt.
The maid opened the door and politely gestured for Raz and his father to enter and closed the door behind them. This room was definitely a study: books covered every wall, leaving space only for windows which had tables placed in front of.
There were many stationery items all over the room, which seemed haphazardous at first glance, but Raz noticed that they were positioned to never be more than three feet away from a table.
In the center of the room was a large table, Raz counted ten chairs surrounding it: four on each side, length wise, and two on the opposing ends. Lord Lanna was sat on an end chair; the chair that was the furthest from the door.
Lord Lanna had ginger hair; fair skin; a handsome, well-defined face; and was six feet tall. He wore a beautifully woven white attire that had fractal designs etched onto it with black thread. Even while sat, he was intimidating and graceful at the same time.
There were two stacks of papers before him, some of which he seemed to be examining the moment that Raz and his father walked in.
Raz and Kalmu bowed with utmost respect, "My lord." Lanna rose to greet them and gestured them to sit at his table.
"You must be very perplexed," he began, "but, fret not for I will explain my rationale. Before I do that, however, I do need you two to answer a question for me."
Raz felt a chill go up his spine. There was never a good reason to say such words before a question.
"What troubles you, my lord?" Raz asked.
"Sharp as ever, I see," Lanna replied with a smirk, "An east wind blows, child. It comes for us all, and Enserod help us if we are not prepared for it."
Enserod, the god of Hapster's faith, was the official god of the Walinda but most, including Raz, did not believe in him.
"East wind will mark the end of all" was the final prophecy of Hapster, Raz recalled his religion lessons, and had caused great discourse for centuries. Many scholars believe that the 'East Wind' referred to the first winds of an everlasting typhoon that would hail from the coast of Ertistan and destroy all life. Many others claim that Hapster was just a mad man whose predictions got misunderstood as truth by the populace. Raz, while not believing in him, found his circumstance very interesting.
"My lord, forgive me, but I do not understand." Raz said, his words carefully chosen to not offend the lord.
Lanna's face showed a hint of disappointment, "It cannot be helped, then. It matters not whether you understand it yet, child. However, you must prepare your mind, body, and soul for what is to come. You must learn what your teachers can teach you and you are to do it at once and without question." Lanna rose and grabbed a quill and an inkpot. "Answer me, child; if the day were to come where you had to pick a side, would you stand by mine?"
Without missing a beat, Raz replied, "Yes, of course, my lord."
"Good. You should go home and practice with your tutors. Your father and I have much to discuss."