It seemed like Corllion had been searching for his father for hours and still was unable to locate him. Unknown to the young prince, the king was again in a hidden room speaking to the same Mysterious, guest from the previous night.
So you you've seen the boy! What are your thoughts? Said the king, in a unrushed and serious tone.
Master bladesinger Avostad, looked upon the king, and began to speak in a very somber manner. The boy is quite impressive, he definitely has what it takes to be accepted, into the guild , after that it's up to him and (( fate) the old guild master laughed to himself for he now knew a god like powerful entitie has had his hand guilding this boy to this path) ,how high he can rise. As if stated before if he takes our vows he no longer belongs to you, your blood line or this kingdom. His live is ours. Are you prepared to sacrifice your third son for this to happen?
Sacrifice??? The king replied to that last statement.
Avostad, smirked and went on to say, yes it's nothing short of saying you're last goodbyes to him. Is not as morbid as it sounds but it's exactly the same. When and if you see him again it will be centuries from now and the way he Perceives things, will undoubtedly be different by then. So the child you have know for two hundred years will cease to exist the second he walks out of this castle. The Bladesinger he will become will be born at that same time.
I can see you are brining with confidence that he would be a grand addition to your order! Said the king. I have only one more question, do you personally, not as a guild master, believe that my son would have a full and purposeful, happy life if he where to travel a different path than what we have been discussing? The wisened old master of the blade, didn't have to hesitate. No! It was said Emphatically, and with Conviction. Said Avostad. He went on to say, it is obvious just by your sons blade he carry's that some force has been guiding him, and his tutors for a long time, twards this path.
To meddle and attempt to alter this will Undoubtably bring that entities wrath upon you. And in the end I don't know if that would even detour them , they may start making overt moves to put him on the path they have chosen for him.
I do not as of yet know, if this path is for good, or for ill, but I do know, It is the best choice for the boy.
I will also say this, if it helps to ease your mind, I will be keeping a close eye on the boy I may only be an elf and mortal, but I hate the meddling of so called gods in our affairs.
The kind though on these words, it had crossed his mind in the past with his learning , that he might have been chosen, by a god. It would answer all the mysteries surrounding his son.
The inability to scry him in every way other than with the naked eye. The constant falling of the many teacher to keep him from those disciplines, deemed unfit for a holy path.
The king paced the room in silent contemplation, weighing all the facts, and trying to play out what would happen in either case. After what seemed an eternity, he let out A decisive sigh, what will he need? He asked the old guild master.
Avostad simply said, just him and his sword. If anything else where needed the boy would have to provide it himself. After today he will receive no boons or gifts nor will any be asked for.
Well am I allowed to provide him with any parting gifts to make his first days of adjustment easier? Can I at least give him my blessing to peruse this path?
I have not misspoken before nor have my words to you king been veiled or obscure, when he leaves with me he is no longer yours or a prince he will be only Corllion not prince the faster he himself understands this and comes to terms with it the better.
The depth of his upbringing, given he can read, write, knows about history beyond the borders of your own kingdom. Will put him far ahead of many others. This will also give him some difficulties as well.
For the next few hundred years he will pursue nothing beyond the sword and the arcane. He will hone his skills until he would be considered a grand master of either one individually. But he would have only begun to climb the first few Eshalons of the bladesingers guild.
But if you feel you must, Avostad said, it must be of a practical and useful items.
If it where my son, if I had an heir, advice, and wise council would be my gift.
The king again stopped and thought on the old guild masters words. If this was the last aid he would be able to give his son, it would be more than just words and advice the prince would leave the castle that had been his only home for the Entirety of his young life.
If the boy was to have to give up his family home his entire know world to this point, the boy would not be leaving ill equipped!
The king, told Avostad where to wait , for the prince, but the old guild master offered a different meeting spot that he would wait for the boy at and the king agreed.
Corllion's father then left the chamber and went to meet with his counsel, to compile what would be his parting gifts to his son,
Amongst the list of things would be , the finest eleven chainmail in the castle, materials enough to have a smith forge two new swords, spell components that had been magically reinforced to allow unlimited castings of various spells, a small travelers tent that could shrink to such a size as to be held in one's hand or enlarge to sleep 6 companions comfortably, a small leather pouch that was enchanted to hold 1000 times its weight in items once placed inside and once hung on one's belt it would be invisible to all but the owner, and finally the kings own horse.
Along with these gifts for the road, the king did give his son as much council he could in the next four hours.
At first the prince looked apprehensive when told he would have to leave his family behind , and once on this path that has been set before him he would no longer be part of the royal family, but the more the king told Corllion the more he knew this was not only the correct path but the only path he would find that would quench that fire and desire to adventure and explore the wide world, that awaited him beyond the walls of the castle where he grew up.