[VoraciousReader]

[ QUOTE ]
We have known you all since the book of the heavens was first opened to us, for your names are writ large in the stars.: Burk, a Dal of Kell, from the David Eddings book: <u>The Seeress of Kell</u>

[/ QUOTE ]

Excerpt from the Dal <u>Book of Ages</u>:

...IN the First Age was man created, and he awoke in puzzlement and wonder as he beheld the world about him. And those that had made him considered him and selected from his number those that pleased them, and the rest were cast out and driven away. And some went in search of the Spirit known as Ul, and they left us and passed into the west, and we saw them no more. And some denied the Gods, and they went ino the far north to wrestle with demons. And some turned to worldly matters, and they went atway into the east and built mighty cities there.

But we despaired, and we sat down upon the earth in the shadow of the mountains of Korim, and in bitterness we bewailed our fate that we had been made and then cast out.

And it came to pass that ...a woman of our people was seized by a rapture, and it was as if she had been shaken by a mighty hand...And with the touch of her vision still upon her, she spoke unto us, saying:

“Now we are the Feast of Life, and ye sorrow that no guest at the feast hath chosen ye. Despair not, however, for one Guest hath not yet arrived at the feast. The other Guests have taken their fill, but this great Fest of Life awaiteth still the Beloved Guest who cometh late, and I say unto all the people that it is He who will choose us. Abide therefore against his coming, for it is certain...Put aside thy grief and turn thy face to the sky and to the earth that thou mayest read the signs written there, for this I say unto all people. It is upon yethat His coming rests. For, behold, He may not choose ye unless ye choose Him. And this is the Fate for which we were made...Take up the task which lies before ye and prepare the way for Him who will surely come.”

End Excerpt

We have learned much since the Belgariad. When the Gods first created this universe, there was a Great Accident. Out of that Accident were formed two prophecies, two purposes, and two destinies. Since the beginning of time, the two destinies have been locked in a struggle to become the sole voice of the universe. Direct confrontation between the two prophecies would destroy all of creation. Thus, they have periodically chosen Children of Light and Dark to battle upon their behalf. Most recently, Dread Torak, the Child of Dark, fell to Belgarion, the Child of Light. This was not the end, but merely one more skirmish in the struggle.

This is the endgame. Soon, where there have always been two, there will remain only one. The dueling Prophecies of Light and Dark have chosen their champions: two small bands of adventurers upon whom rests the fate of the Universe.

A third group is also active. The mysterious Dals of Kell have a tradition that states the final outcome is in the hands of the Seeress Cyradis. They have been godless since the dawn of time, and it is whispered that they believe the new, unified order will mean that they will finally have a God of their own, cherishing them as Ul, Nedra, Belar, Mara, and Issa guard their children. They await the Choosing of Cyradis.

Upon the cliffs of Korim the two bands meet. They are not yet to the cave where the Dals believe the Choosing will occur. Each member of each band has their own choices to make. Followers of Light must choose the most likely adherents to the Prophecy of Dark, and eliminate them. Followers of Dark must obscure their identities, and seek to overpower Light through guile and force.

Will Light eliminate Dark? Will Dark overpower Light? Will the Two Prophecies once again deadlock, leaving their fate resting in the hands of the Seeress?

The time is upon us.

It is now,

Day.