THE Time-Keeper gazed intently into his mirror. Mists swirled above its smooth black surface that began to churn suddenly, the mists hissing and then clearing away to reveal something like a window amidst the murky depths of the oval-shaped mirror. In this window, an image began to form. It was blurry at first, but soon it had cleared and sharpened, and the Time-Keeper leaned closer to see it.

A solitary traveler rode on horseback through heavy rain and over green, forested hills. The horse was tired, and stumbled often, but went steadily onward. The branches of evergreen trees reached out to snag the rider’s cloak, tearing it back to reveal his face for an instant.

The Time-Keeper hissed between his teeth and leaned closer still. His gold-flecked silver eyes sharpened on the brief glimpse of the rider’s face, identifying and memorizing every detail before the traveler pulled the hood of his cloak back over his head, hiding his face again in shadows. But a single, star-like glimmer lingered for a moment on his brow, before it too was lost in darkness.

Then the image blurred and faded, leaving the smooth obsidian surface of the mirror calm once more. The Time-Keeper sat back on his heels and considered the face he had seen. "Great things will soon be set in motion," he said softly, but his voice echoed within the cave’s stony walls. "Things that will determine the fate of Umbra and all her people." He drew a deep breath and closed his eyes. "It is time."

Then he stood, gracefully, drawing his black cloak around him. He cast one last glance at the mirror, but it was still now, and he strode out of the cave, summoning his Apprentice.

The Time-Keepers had been silent long enough.