INEVITABILITY: An acolyte of the Order…

INEVITABILITY: An acolyte of the Order of Mages fell off the path through the Library of Sands. His fellows found him three days later, several levels down from where he had disappeared. The shape of an hourglass marked his right palm, the emblem of a constellation on his left.

The First Mage had the acolyte visit every day. None knew what they talked of behind closed doors, and the acolyte did not return to his room until after the evening meal. He spoke with no one, not even his brother, with whom he used to share everything.

As the days passed, the imprint of the hourglass changed, as if sand truly flowed from one orb to the other.

After a week, the top orb was empty. After another week, the acolyte disappeared.

The acolyte's brother, an astronomer at the King's Court, noticed a new constellation in the sky, and wept a single tear.

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