A Brand New History 6

Was the Raven a woman?

The black-robed wizard did not know.

Was the Raven a beautiful woman?

The black-robed wizard no longer had any chance to find out, either.

Faced with his question, Lina appeared calm and serene.

"Yes, we don't need to know. Or rather..." Lina nodded firmly, her tone solemn. "We cannot, and should not, speculate about a deity's thoughts or whereabouts..."

She had used that word. In her heart, Ian had already become synonymous with such a station.

"Since he chose to 'confirm' his presence in this manner rather than 'descend,' he must have his own considerations. Perhaps Africa was not the first stop on his journey; perhaps some more urgent and hidden 'disaster' or 'anomaly' required his attention first; perhaps he merely wished to see, in a more ordinary and inconspicuous way, the world he had saved... There could be many reasons, but they belong to the realm of his will."

As expected of the Raven Prophet.

Lina's assumptions about Ian were all exceedingly positive.

Looking at the still-bewildered black-robed wizard, she smiled and continued explaining with great patience. "Remember, child. Our duty here is to 'watch' and to 'remain silent.'"

"We watch over this door and keep his legend silent. His return is itself the greatest affirmation and reward for our duty. As for when he will truly meet us, how he will do so, or whether he even needs to meet us... those are not matters for us to decide." She paused, her voice becoming gentler yet more resolute. "Master Saruman and the warrior Karg had long since passed away, peacefully completing their magnificent lives. And I, because of this mark of a 'prophet,' because of my special connection with him, was able to live through far longer years than ordinary people, surviving to