Faint light shone on the eastern horizon, backlighting the rugged peaks of the Illusion Range. Dawn was a stealthy hunter, neither ebbing, nor altering. By its light, Prince Felderon watched the sage remove a strange parcel from within his robe. The package was small, but appeared to be quite heavy, and the Prince's eyes widened as the sage's long, dark fingers loosened the crimson fabric, revealing two stones--one ice blue and the other one black, polished to a high shine. They were mirrors, ancient in make, but excellent in craft.

"They are fine, old man," Felderon said. "But I fail to see a remedy in this."

"Shhhh!" The sage took the icy stone in his hand, "A reflection from this mirror shows the onlooker's beauty, unfailingly. To peer into it is to be hypnotized, enraptured by the captured form." He set it down on the fabric, then plucked up the dark stone. "However, a reflection from this mirror is quite the opposite."

Felderon reached for the dark stone mirror to examine it. "Ouch!" Felderon recoiled his hand, which throbbed from the sage's sharp blow. “What is your meaning!?”

"Never peer casually into the dark mirror. You must be prepared to view the deepest void, which will haunt an onlooker forever!"

Felderon frowned, doubtful. "Who made these mirrors? What is their meaning?"

"The craftsman is long dead, but it was not his skill that made them. It is the nature of the stone that gives each its power."

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Felderon's countenance fell, and he stared down the cliffside. "What good are illusions, old man?"

"You are quite right, young prince. But only the ice blue mirror conjures an illusion. The dark mirror is no lie."

For a long moment, Felderon calculated the possible uses of the ice blue mirror, and its potential was not lost on him. "I will have the light stone! I know more than one princess who would prize such a gift. It is the kind of magical charm that wins great favor."

The sage tipped his head. "I will give you the light mirror to do with as you wish, but if you give this stone for a gift, you must keep the dark mirror for yourself, and must promise to peer into it without flinching."

"Why would I do that? You said yourself, if I do, it will haunt me."

"So I did."

"I'm cursed enough already! Why should I accept such terms?"

"You are under no obligation to take either mirror. Go your way."

Prince Felderon frowned. The icy blue stone mirror would make a much celebrated gift. Surely any princess in the world could not help but love it--and perhaps, love him in return. How bad could the dark mirror be? Perhaps the price was not too high. He hesitated.

"A mirror cannot eat you," the sage said.

Felderon laughed. "Of course not!" he laughed though his throat was tight. "I will take them both, then!"

"Understand," the sage said. "These mirrors are the things of dreams, if you fail to honor the terms of our agreement, both will dissolve to dust."

Felderon sniffed, sobered by the warning, but he took the parcel of silk, stowing it in his satchel, mentally preparing his redemption. For the first time in a week, he threw his shoulders back. "I thank you in behalf of the Kingdom of the Chalbeams. Farewell!"

"Until we meet again."

"I may be a sixth son, but I am savvy enough," Felderon said. "The light stone alone can guarantee my future. You need not fear of more sixth prince quests for at least a generation!"

"As you say." The Sage bowed, but a knowing smile quirked the corners of his mouth.