Turning of the Fifth

[DoS Archive]

Date: 10/11/97 4:37 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: Daniel McI



~While he sang, he unwrapped a biscuit and a bit of cheese. He scanned through pages and pages of the leather-binded book. Then his singing paused, and his eyes stopped on the word "Golden".
He dropped his biscuit, as he read the next sentence in disbelief. A soft tap sounded against the great oak door. He closed the book immediately, picked it up, and strode to the bookcase where he replaced it. Another tap sounded as he pressed the button which controlled the closing of the bookcase.
He opened the door and placed his eyes upon his most trusted friend.
"Shet. Do come in."
He grasped Shet Katlan by the elbow and led him to the bookshelf. Upon the pad he keyed in a code, and the cover slid back open.
He retrieved the book, opened it, flipped through a couple of pages, and settled on the one he wanted. He pointed to the words in the text.
"Read Shet...just read it."
Shet hesitated for a moment staring at the seriousness in his friends eyes, then took the book into the palm of his hands. He began reading while he settled into the chair nearby. Daniel went back to the table and picked up his biscuit.
Shet glanced up just as Daniel thrusted the last of the cheese into his mouth.
"M'lord..What are ye trying to tell me?"
"Shet....I've met the one who rightfully owns the land."
"And M'lord, Daniel, how is it that ye come to this knowledge?"
"She 'as the eyes."
"But Daniel, many can 'ave the eyes...ye know that. Shapeshifters..wizards....Ifin ye give the land to her and she is nay the one...the lands all go to sure waste." Then Shet widened his eyes more as he realized what Daniel said. "SHE?...A lady? Surely, ye are badly mistaken."
"No, me friend. She is the one. I saw the eyes change. I am sure of it. And ifin I do nay give the land to her, that is surely me death."
Shet stared at his Lord, hard and long.
"So ye met the one of Silver eyes, too, then?" he asked, his eyes filled with doubt.
"Nay."
Shet threw up his hands.
"Then M'lord...ye can nay be sure, now can ye?" he laughed.
"Shet, I 'ave a funny feeling about this...but I'll wager that she is the one."
Shet bellowed loud and looked to his lord with only a hint of nervousness.
"That is a wager, I wish nay to reckon with, ifin ye will excuse me for saying so, Daniel."
Shet whistled as he watched his friend pace back and forth.
Daniel then turned to face him with an all dead seriousness.
"Come Shet...We shall find out. I know where she goes. Perhaps she will be at the place and the one with Silver eyes shall be there, too."
Shet shook his head and roared with laughter. "Okay...I shall accompany ye. But we 'ave nay even had word of any battles. Furthermore, I doubt seriously that the ancient ones would 'ave this land go to a lady much less. and think...ifin ye sign the papers believing that she is the one....and ye come back from battle unharmed...ye will 'ave lost all yer estates. Tis a lot of property ye know....and to a woman. Unthinkable."
Daniel cocked his head up.
"Ye 'ave nay read the Fifth, me friend, have ye?"
"The fifth?"
Daniel nodded. "Tis said and bound in the Fifth that no doubts should be employed as to the gender of the rightful heir. In the right hands, the lands shall be fruitful more."
Shet's eyes narrowed.
"Ye will 'ave to show me that. I believe ye are making some gravely assumptions."
"I will, me friend...but come, I believe she will go to the arena tonight."