Do you know me? Devin asked as he got closer.

A long silence followed, one so long that Devin began to wonder if he had even asked the question.

The stars said that if I waited here, in dreams, you would come, the voice finally said. The one who is to be.

Devin realized then who this man was.

Youre Master Grey, the kings sorcerer.

He swallowed at the thought of it. They said that this man had the power to see things that no sane man would want to; that hed told the king the moment of his first wifes death and everyone had laughed until the fainting fit had struck her, cracking her head on the stone of one of the bridges. They said that he could look into a mans soul and draw out all he saw there.

The one who is to be.

What could that mean?

You are Master Grey.

And you are the boy born on the most impossible of days. I have looked and looked, and you should not exist. But you do.

Devins heart raced at the thought that the kings sorcerer knew who he was. Why would a man like this take an interest in him?

And he knew, at that moment, that this was more than just a dream.

This was a meeting.

What do you want from me? Devin asked.

Want? The question seemed almost to catch the sorcerer by surprise, if anything could. I merely wanted to see you for myself. To see you on the day that your life will change forever.

Devin burned with questions, but in that moment, Master Grey reached down for one of the candles around him, snuffing it with two long fingers while he murmured something on the edge of hearing.

Devin wanted to step forward, wanted to comprehend what was happening, but instead, he felt a force he couldnt understand dragging him backwards, out of the tower, into the dark…

***

Devin! his mother called. Wake up, or youll miss breakfast.

Devin cursed as his eyes snapped open. Already, dawn light was coming in through the window of his familys small home. It meant that if he didnt hurry, he wouldnt be able to get to the House of Weapons early enough, wouldnt have time for anything except plunging straight into work.

He lay in bed, breathing hard, trying to shake off the heaviness, the realness, of the dreams.

But try as he did, he could not. It hung over him like a heavy cloak.

DEVIN!

Devin shook his head.