Orn awoke to the sound of voices. He felt wool headed, and fuzzy. Cutting through the feeling was the dull throb of pain in his arm and side. Knowing moving would just make it worse he laid quietly in the darkness, straining to hear the voices coming from the hallway.

“How is he doing?” Even in his fuzzy mental state he recognized his father’s voice.

“Same as always. He is just so fragile. Healing can repair the damage. But he does not get any stronger, he…” He recognized his mother’s voice and cringed at the sound of her voice cracking, “… he always gets hurt so easily.”

“I know love.” his father stopped speaking for a moment, “But soon it will be his fifth birthday. Everyone gets stronger when they get a path. He may even get a blessing.”

“But blessings are rare!” her voice was harsh, “I know he will get a path, but I cannot help but worry. “

“I…” his father paused again then continued, “I think Orn may already have a blessing.”

“What do you mean?” He heard hope in his mother’s words.

“His dream the other night was not right. But” He emphasized the word “it also was not wrong. The hunters found an imperial scouting party deep in the forest. If they had not been on alert that group might have escaped. They nearly found a way through. “

“Do not start with that again.” His mother’s hushed voice sounded strained. “He is not a prophet.” She nearly spit the word. “He was talking about them betraying us and attacking in 15 years.”

“He was wrong last night, but in fifteen years ...” Orn’s father struggled for words, “Do you remember the messenger from this morning?”

“Yes. What does that have to do with anything? Do not change the subject.”

Hie father continue undaunted in the face of his mother’s growing irritation. “He was carrying a message. The empire and kingdom have entered talks to end the war. Something about marrying their young princess to our nation’s prince. “

“That does not make any sense. Their princess is almost an adult now, and the prince is little more than a toddler.” Orn did not need to see them to know that she was gesturing sharply as she did when irritated.

His father’s reply was so soft Orn barely heard it, “A toddler who will come of age in fifteen years…”

“Stop that!” His mother’s voice took a more insistent tone. “You know anyone who is a prophet gets taken by the church or the royal family! None of them live more than a dozen years.”

“I’m sorry dearest. I did not mean to scare you. He is probably not be a prophet; but I will treat this warning as if he were. No matter what happens, in fifteen years we will be ready for an attack. If it does not come good. But if it does, we will be ready.”

Orn could hear tears in his mother’s voice. “But what of Orn? The capital is so far, if they take him away, we may never see him again. “

“If he is a prophet, we will just have to make sure he does not get discovered. I have not been idle the last couple days. I already sent for my cousin Olrich.”