Peter entered a wide room of stone and wood, where a fireplace illuminated and warmed the armchairs and chairs nearby. Further in was a sturdy oak table surrounded by chairs, and what looked like a pine wardrobe. Three of the room’s walls were filled with windows looking out into the now-dark night, and the constant sound of water could be heard in the background. Seated by the fire were three figures—the only ones in the room. Closest to the door was a robust, short character with golden hair, dressed in thick plates of metal: clearly a dwarf, but not what Peter had imagined. Even though Peter wasn’t sure about his own tastes, he could see that this dwarf—now named Borin the Gallant—would be considered attractive by many. On the other side of Borin’s armchair sat the other two. Closest to the fire was a tall, striking female figure, dressed in leather, taller than the others, with a warm but fierce gaze—Seraphine the Intrepid, the legendary Amazari. And finally, a little farther from the fire, was a green-skinned, fierce-looking being, dressed in a patchwork of mail, leather, and cloth, with a large dagger at his belt and a sarcastic glint in his eyes: Durnan the Relentless, chief of the Gremlari. As soon as Kaelis finished introducing Peter, all three pairs of eyes turned to him—Borin’s showed surprise, Seraphine’s radiated joy, and Durnan looked like he might leap at Peter at any moment. But he seemed to respect Kaelis and did nothing. “Welcome!” Seraphine exclaimed, standing and coming over. “So you’re the one we’ve been searching for! What a thrill, I hope you had a good journey. Welcome to our little group—I’m sure you’ll like us, and you’ll see how much fun we’ll have! My name is Seraphine, and I’m here for anything you need…” “Wow, is that all? So little?” Borin muttered. “Shut up, dwarf!” Seraphine snapped, having heard him. “He’s right, though!” Durnan added. “Of all the humans who could have come, we get a scrawny boy who doesn’t look like he could even kill a chicken.” “Enough, everyone!” Kaelis intervened. “You all know the rules of hospitality, and since we’re at the Great Torath and he’s not even from this world, it’s our duty to give him a warm welcome. So make room and let’s change the subject.” Borin offered Peter a seat beside him, and Peter, head down, sat. Kaelis took a rocking chair by the fire, and they began to chat for a long time. Peter spoke a bit with Seraphine, who seemed genuinely interested in him, but soon fell silent and listened to the others. They told stories, caught up, debated the politics of Eldoria, and shared opinions about different corners of the land—but never spoke of their mission or the current situation, as if they were all still uncomfortable with it. While they were discussing how autumn affected the various forests, they heard knocks from the main door. Kaelis paused his long description of the Library’s books and, looking at Borin with concern, asked: “Are we expecting anyone?” “Not that I know of,” Borin replied. “Ohoho, a bit of mystery and fun, finally!” Durnan said. “Come on, let’s open the door!” Just as they were about to get up, a noise made everyone turn in shock—the person knocking hadn’t just opened the sturdy main door, but was already entering the room. Borin and Durnan jumped up and grabbed their weapons, but before they could attack, all four heroes cried out: “It can’t be!” The newcomer pulled back their hood, revealing the face of a white elf—Thalion the Genius, the legendary builder of Eldoria. As the group settled in, the heavy wooden door creaked open and a figure entered, cloaked and hooded. The others tensed, hands on weapons, but the newcomer calmly pulled back the hood, revealing pointed ears, silver hair, and eyes that seemed to hold centuries of wisdom. “Good evening,” the elf said with a gentle smile. “I see I am recognized everywhere I go, but according to the rules of courtesy, I should introduce myself. I am Thalion, an elf of the Silverwood, and I was fortunate to be chosen a few times as High Consul. I have been sent here, like all of you. Now, perhaps you could introduce yourselves—I do not know you yet.” Kaelis the Bold was the first to recover, introducing himself and the others: Borin the Gallant, Seraphine the Intrepid, Durnan the Relentless, and finally, Peter—the awaited hero from another world. Thalion studied Peter for a moment, then nodded. “I can guess who you are. Human, young, uncertain gaze—you must be the great hero from another world. The others seem fit for great deeds, but you are the only one who stands out. Remember, you are the greatest of us all.” Before Peter could reply, Borin jumped in, “So there are more of us! And the legendary Thalion! When I tell my admirers about this, they won’t believe it. Will more heroes from the past arrive? Will I meet the beautiful Lady Eleniel? They say she’s stunning—even Kaelis must think so, right?” “Let’s focus on ourselves,” Thalion said, half-smiling. “I don’t know if more will come. I lived long ago, when this land was young, and there weren’t many heroes then. I am the first hero of Eldoria.” Seraphine asked, “At least tell us how you found us.” “I appeared four days ago on the banks of the River Aurin, near the Lone Peak. Beneath me was a note explaining the basics. I understood I had to come to the Great Torath to meet the great human hero and the other companions, but before coming here, I visited the city of the gnomes.” Durnan grumbled, “Ugh… they rebuilt their wretched city.” “So they lost it? That explains a lot. I saw the city much changed. They recognized me and were terrified, but the Grand Syndic of the gnomes took me to his chambers. He told me the gnomes are on high alert, gathering troops and fortifying, and that my presence would remain secret. I asked for a horse, but they needed them all, so I came on a pony. It took three and a half days to travel the two hundred and fifty kilometers from there, and here I am at the Great Torath; it seems all stories begin here.” Seraphine exclaimed, “It’s true! The Pact of the Land was made here, Durnan! Here we began our joint fight against the Sovereign!” Kaelis added, “I remember learning I was a mage here, so long ago.” Borin said, “I never had an adventure here… wait… yes! Here I slew that wretch!” Thalion mused, “The Great Torath has always been a special place. I don’t recall when it became forbidden to alter it, but it’s strange that the laws have never changed, considering no one lives here. Since when is it so special and so simple?” Durnan replied, “I’m surprised you don’t know, elf, but perhaps someone else can answer.” At that moment, a shadowy figure emerged from the far corner of the room, reclining against the wall. “What are you doing here? Answer!” Durnan demanded, raising his mace, with Borin hefting his axe. “Calm down,” Thalion said. “If he’s here, he must be one of the heroes of Eldoria, and we can’t afford to fight among ourselves.” The figure stepped forward, voice low and mysterious. “I’ve been called many names, but my parents named me Shade, from the Eastern Quarter of the humans. I couldn’t help but overhear Thalion, and I know you all know the answer. The Great Torath and the valley of the River Aurin are the origin of everything. If you dug deep enough, you’d find the bones of every species that now inhabits the world. The Great Torath is the great mystery of life that no one has solved, but from it comes a power capable of uniting times and worlds.” Kaelis and Thalion exchanged glances, then nodded. “Welcome, Shade,” Kaelis said, regaining his composure. “Come sit by the fire and talk with us.” Despite their infinite differences, the group slowly began to understand each other. They ate, drank, laughed, and shared stories late into the night, until Seraphine finally stood and said, “Friends, it’s time to turn out the lights and sleep. Tomorrow is another day, and even if we don’t have to wake at five, I want to see you all at breakfast by nine. Agreed?” “Yes!” they all replied. And so, a little nervous about what awaited them, the heroes of Eldoria went to sleep, each in a different room. Peter thought about all that had happened and the great troubles he’d stumbled into, and, thinking of his family, drifted off to sleep.