The Great Master's study was at the very back of the Senior hall, where all of the Senior Diviners' studies were located. It was marked by an elaborately carved wooden door, much fancier than the doors of the other studies, with a gold plaque that read Great Master  in thick block letters. 

Aphyra nervously stood behind Seleris as her mentor gently knocked on the door. 

"Come in!" A male voice called from inside, and Seleris stepped into the study, motioning for Aphyra to follow her. 

The room was even larger than Seleris', with the same basic appliances like the desk, loveseat and fireplace, but with much nicer finishings. The floor was carpeted with a patterned earthy rug, and similar to Aphyra's room, potted plants rested on the desk and on small wooden tables. There were also antique bookshelves on one wall from floor to ceiling, filled to the brim with different stories and titles. 

Great Master Kendal sat with his arms folded on his desk, a pair of thin spectacles on his nose. He was a pure elf, about middle-aged, with pale skin.  Pointed ears poked out from his curly silver hair, on which a Diviner's wreath rested. His eyes did not have the usual coldness of the majority of elves that Aphyra had met. Instead, they were a soft shade of gray, like the sky on a cloudy day. Even though he was sitting down, it was still evident that he was quite tall and thin.  

"Seleris," he greeted. 

"Great Measa," Seleris replied. Aphyra had never heard her mentor call anybody else Measa before, but the only person who had any superiority over the seniors was the Great Master Diviner, so it made sense that she would address him with respect. 

It was then that Kendal noticed Aphyra standing in Seleris' shadow. 

"And you must be Aphyra?"

Aphyra had never met Great Master Kendal up close before. She was surprised that he even knew her name. The only time she ever saw him or heard him speak was during assemblies. She felt extremely anxious to be meeting the head of the Great Temple of Mordun. She hesitantly nodded in response without saying a word. 

Kendal gave a warm smile, similar to that of Seleris. "Seleris speaks very highly of you. She says you've come a long way."

Aphyra looked up to her mentor for some reassurance. Seleris was also smiling. She felt some of the nervous tension in her shoulders release. 

"Please, sit down," Kendal gestured to the sofa. Aphyra and Seleris both took a seat. 

"So, let's get down to business," he continued. 

"Would you like to explain, Aphyra?" Seleris questioned. 

Aphyra froze. The anxiety had returned. She had to explain to the Great Master in detail all by herself? Her eyes grew wide and she began to stammer, "W-well, I had a dream last night, and in that dream I was visited by a Laikani. And it spoke to me."

"It spoke?" Kendal asked inquisitively. 

"Yes," Aphyra reaffirmed. 

Kendal nodded, "Can you tell me about the spirit itself?" 

"He was a bird. A very large bird, with red feathers and a long tail, and yellow eyes. He had a name, too. He said his name was Ean." 

"Ean..." Kendal echoed. There was a moment of silence. 

"I take it he came with a message," the Great Master finally said, "Laikani usually bring messages when they choose to talk directly to Diviners." 

Aphyra bit her lip, "Yes, Measa, he did. It was about the Olkani War." 

Kendal raised his eyebrows in suspicion, "Go on." 

"He... he said something about the Olkani War being the fault of the elves, not the humans. Something about the elves not being able to forgive. He didn't get to finish, though. He faded really quickly. He mentioned something about the Olkani and Livadia before he disappeared. I don't know what he meant, though," Aphyra sighed desperately. 

The Great Master pushed his glasses further up the bridge of his nose in contemplation. He finally spoke after a few seconds of thought, "I'm sure you will find out what Ean meant in good time, Aphyra. I'm afraid I can't do much interpreting unless the Laikani decide to approach me themselves. But I can offer you some explanation, if you'd like." 

"Please," Seleris finally joined the conversation after staying quiet for so long. 

"Aphyra, did Ean mention anything to you about being a guiding Laikani?" Kendal asked. 

"Y-Yes. He did say that he was here to guide me," She stuttered nervously. 

"Good, good," the Great Master nodded, "So Ean is your guiding Laikani. Every Diviner has one, you see. I have one, and so does Seleris. Since Diviners are the only elves that can communicate with the spirits, they decide to watch over us and guide us and make sure we follow our destinies, in a way. Our guiding Laikani know who we are supposed to be and the impacts we make on the world. They push us in the right direction while making us figure out their messages ourselves. I know, it's complicated." 

Aphyra looked back at Seleris, who again nodded in reassurement. 

Kendal continued, "Most Diviners don't meet their guiding Laikani until they have completed their training, but exceptions do occur. It is said that they appear when we have strayed too far from our destiny and have lost all faith that we will find the path ourselves."

"So," Aphyra piped up, "Ean thinks... that I am lost?"

"I am not sure," Kendal placed a hand on his forehead, "But it is a possibility. But we do know that the Laikani must think that you have a very important path you must follow if they have spoken in front of you this early." 

"I think I get it..." Aphyra responded after a moment. 

"Well, I'm afraid that's all I can say," Kendal sighed, "Anything you wish to add, Seleris?"

Seleris shook her head, "That's everything that Aphyra told me last night. I've got nothing more." 

"Thank you both for telling me," Kendal dipped his head. 

"Aphyra," Seleris said, "I am going to stay here for a little longer. The Great Measa and I need to have one other conversation."

"Alright," Aphyra nodded, taking it as her cue to leave. She stood up and made her way towards the door. 

"Head to the library and do some reading," Seleris advised, "And I'll see you in the study this evening for a training session." 

"Of course, Measa," and with that Aphyra left.

Seleris breathed a sigh of relief. Kendal stood up from behind his desk and began to pace slowly around the office, adjusting his spectacles. 

"These are crazy times, Seleris," He stated bleakly, "Absolutely nuts."

"I know," Seleris replied.

Kendal continued, "First, the Council wants the Knights meddling in human affairs, and now they want us involved. Entire towns are being destroyed by the Olkani. I've already told the Councillers that the spirits haven't given us any signs. Why do they still want us involved?" 

"Speaking of signs, Measa, that's what I wanted to tell you about. My guiding Laikani visited me last night after Aphyra left," Seleris said. 

Kendal stopped pacing for a brief moment, "Her name is Kuran, if I remember correctly?" 

Seleris nodded, "Yes, Kuran."

"Strange," The Great Master shook his head, "That the Laikani visit a mentor and her student during the same night. Maybe the spirits are involved." 

"From what she told me, I would think. It wasn't just a message she gave me, it was a prophecy."

"A prophecy?"

Seleris repeated, "Two born of both human and elven blood, destined to help save our world. They have the power to mend the past. They have the power to prevent the future."

She continued, "Kuran mentioned that one of them is Aphyra. I'm assuming the second is a boy named Teherrin, who Aphyra knows." 

"Well," Kendal decided to sit back down behind his desk, "That's a prophecy. And now we're in a bit of a predicament," he sighed. 

"Why?"

"I'll have to report this prophecy to the Imperial Knights and the Elven High Coucil." 

Seleris' eyes grew wide. 

"I don't want to, but I have to. The Councillors insisted that if I heard any messages from the spirits about the war, I needed to report immediately to them." 

Seleris interjected, "I'm sorry Measa, but what if the Councillors announce word of a prophecy in public? Especially a prophecy about two Tainted children who are apparently supposed to end a century-long war! I didn't even tell Aphyra that I spoke with Kuran becuase I thought it would make her more stressed than she already is. She's been extremely worried ever since the arrival of the Knights. It would just be too much for them." 

"I know Seleris, I agree. But if I don't tell the Council the entire temple could get in trouble," Kendal shook his head, "Becuase if the High Council is mad at us, all of Talamh Nadur is mad at us. I have to report it."

"I know, I know," Seleris nodded slowly, "I'm just worried. What are we going to tell Aphyra?" 

"We'll send her to Livadia." Kendal said. 

"What?"

"We'll send Aphyra to Livadia." 

Seleris was shocked. "Great Measa," she began hesitantly, "Aphyra is my trainee. I know she's supposed to save the world and all, but she's inexperienced and young, not to mention innocent. She hasn't seen the horrors of the Olkani War... Not the way I have." For the first time in a while, the Senior Diviner felt tears pushing at the backs of her eyes. 

"We can't control her fate, Seleris. We are simply the messengers, the link between the spirits that decide our paths and those who need to hear them. This is Aphyra's destiny, she is the listener. She has to do what the Laikani want her to do, not what we want her to do." Kendal asserted. "And you must be the one to let her know. I think she'll receive it better if it comes from you instead of me." 

"I... I understand, Measa." 

"I'll be at the Arsatur tomorrow morning informing the Council. I'll have an assembly set for tomorrow afternoon where we'll announce the Diviners heading to Livadia. If things don't go smoothly, contact Luvon. He'll be taking my place while I'm gone," The Great Master ordered. 

"Yes, Great Measa," Seleris replied, standing up from the sofa. Her dark eyes were glistening. 

"I'll speak to you soon," Kendal said.

"Thank you." 

"I hope everything goes well."