"My dear boy, I am so sorry," the wizard said. He clasped his hand firmly on the boy's shoulder as they stared into the ruined husk of what was once his family's house. The smell of char, warm metal, and waning smoke filled the air with the husky scents of destruction and death.

"They're gone," the boy whispered.

"They are."

He turned his blond head to the wizard, hope filling his wide, blue eyes. "Maybe they weren't inside when it happened..."

The wizard sighed. "I don't mean to be crude, but I spoke with some of the good people of Fallamari who said they put out the fire. And, well, they also pulled out the bodies of your family. Your father, your mother, your sister, and your brother."

"Tango, too?" he asked.

"He was a good dog. He died with the people he loved."

Caertonn looked down, the track of a tear cutting through the ash on his face. "If I hadn't gone to Nomager to sell the goat..."

"...you would have died alongside them. At least one of you survived."

Caertonn broke Gilghest's hold when he stepped forward. A part of him wanted to run inside, sift through the burnt wood and ashes to find his childhood. The other part understood that he'd never find it again.

Gilghest pulled a book from his robes, a gorgeous volume with an intricately carved wood cover with an open embossed circle. Two green gems were inlaid inside the circle, their surfaces winking in the daylight sun. "I know that now is a terrible moment, but it's time I tell you about your destiny."

The boy glanced down at the tome, then back at the house.

"This is yours, Caertonn. I've been saving it, to give it you on your sixteenth birthday. Even though it's a bit early, I'd like you to have it."

"What is it?" he said, only paying half attention.

"This is the Book of Yu'ai. When you open it, your journey will begin."

"My journey?"

Gilghest cleared his throat and spread his arms to the side. "You have been chosen, Caertonn. This is a book all adventurers have. But, while they merely fight monsters and hunt for treasure, you, my boy, you will vanquish the Dark Lord."

"The Dark Lord?" he asked, his eyebrows furrowing.

"Yes. Even now he conspires against you, knowing that you will be his downfall," he said with a sweep of his arm towards the former house. "He fears you and what you will become."

"How do you know this?" Caertonn asked, meaning the destruction of the house.

"Segendo Himself sent me a prophecy many years ago of a boy who will leave on an epic quest ordained by the heavens. It took me long to find him, you. Then, I waited, hoping one day you would be ready to fulfill your destiny."

"I thought you liked Ma's apple pie."

It took Gilghest a moment to respond. "Well, your mother's apple pie was delicious, but it was really to watch over you. And now the day has come for you to set out on your journey. Now, according to the Book of Yu'ai, you should being by finding..."

The sound of a cow's moo interrupted the grizzled wizard's speech.

Caertonn's eyes lit up. "Amelia!" he gasped, running to the field behind his house. "She's alive!" he yelled, laughing.

"Boy! Wait!"

Gilghest hurried to keep up, wheezing and hobbling with his staff. He fumbled with the latch of the gate and finally opened it after a few moments. He hitched up his robes and padded carefully through the rich, brown field of dirt and other things wizards wouldn't want on their shoes. "Boy," he said, catching his breath.

"Gilghest, look!" Caertonn said, pointing at several animals. "It's not just Amelia; they all survived! The chickens, the goats, the horses. The barn is still intact, too. I can sleep here until I earn enough to fix the house."

"No, Caertonn, listen to me! You are the Chosen One! That is a really big honor. Not just anyone can be the one to face down the Dark Lord Therefore, you must go on your quest! Here," he said, pulling the tome out again, "read this book. It will allow you to experience things you wouldn't think possible. Everything will make sense."

Caertonn stood looking around the barn. "I can sleep in the loft. I bet the goats will find a way up, but I wouldn't mind the company. It'll smell, of course, but the roof is solid and I can use the horse blankets to make a bed."

"Please, just look at the book," Gilghest said in a desperate tone.

Caertonn grabbed the book, opened it, and handed it back to the wizard. "I wonder if I can expand the land a little. Maybe the town is selling the piece behind us back down to the river. There's good deer hunting back there and we've found some truffles with Petunia."

Gilghest finally put his staff against the wall and clamped both of his hands firmly on Caertonn's shoulders. "My boy, it is time for you to leave. I am so sorry that tragedy has befallen you, but you must go. Sell your farm and your animals, use the money to buy supplies. Here," he said, pulling a sword and scabbard out from robes that had no business holding swords, "take this. My gift to you. "

Caertonn smiled, then hugged the wizard. "You've always been so kind to me and my family. I appreciate your gifts. But, I can't. I have to stay and run the farm. It's what my family would've wanted me to do." He pulled away from Gilghest's embrace and went out back to tend to the remaining animals.

Gilghest stood looking around for a few minutes, unsure of what to do. After some time, he said under his breath, "Puta madre", left the field, walked out to the road, and disappeared in a red-speckled mirage.

Even though it had been one of the worst days of Caertonn's life, he looked brightly to the future. He was a farm boy. Had been since he could , nothing more, and he knew how to farm. And he was going to farm the shit out of that land.