Hallon Sandasson was a travelling performer, The Amazing Illusionist, as he called himself.
Travelling with a Trading group, and keeping their children entertained, while they were within the land of the Centaurs.
"And now," he said with a flourish, "I shall use this simple glass orb to Foretell the future of one of you."
"Me please," shouted half a dozen children.
"One I said," repeated Hallon, he turned to face the trees, "perhaps our observer would like to volunteer?"
The bushes rustled, and a young centaur colt stepped into the clear area.
"What's your name, lad?"
"Sallandarandas."
"well, young master Sallan, how would you like to have your fortune told?"
"I, well I shouldn't be here," he muttered nervously, fidgeting and looking at the ground.
"We'll not tell on you lad, will we?"
Under the old man's menacing glare, the children all nodded in agreement.
"Yes please then, Sir."
"Hallon Sandasson is my name. Now all be silent while I examine the mystic crystal."
"Thought he said it were ordinary," muttered one of the kids.
Hallon ignored the child and looked into the crystal. It was a perfectly ordinary glass sphere, he used it as a focus for his foresight abilities.
Images began flashing through his mind, and he spoke unconsciously unaware of what he said.
"A Centaur Filly, a traders wagon, a journey, meeting a human woman - she plays music, a reunion, a message...That is all."
"But it doesn't make sense," protested Sallan.
"Did I say it would, lad?"
"well no, but..."
"There you go then, that's all for today, be off with you. A word Master Sallan?"
"Yes?"
Hallon waited until the children were gone before continuing.
"You have been watching my performance everyday since we arrived."
"I have," admitted the young centaur shyly, "and I think I worked out some of the tricks."
"Really?"
"Yes, like that one where you make a mouse appear out of a scarf, you had the mouse up your sleeve."
"That's right, not many people notice things like that."
"But some of it is almost like..."
"Like?"
"Real magic," muttered Sallan quickly, Hallon looked at him for a moment, he was surprised to See that the lad had magical talent.
"Real magic, I didnt know centaurs believed in it."
"Some do, it's in the histories."
"I see, and would you like to learn some tricks?"
"I, that's forbidden."
"I apologise, I did not know."
"All centaurs are scholars, that is what we do."
"Sounds dull."
"Yes, it is."
"Sallandarandas, quellith ves anda mai dalwa?"
(Sallandarandas, where are you my friend?)
The higher pitched voice of a centaur filly halted their conversation.
"Ytha sern, Karlinallisallia."
(Over here.)
"Darandarjan sa jhitlleg sana anda," said the filly as she stepped out.
(Darandarjan is looking for you.)
"Y qa pythasden ona, good day to you Hallon."
(I am leaving now.)
"Good day Sallan, please visit again."
Sallan visited Hallom many times over the next few years, always in secret.
One particualar year, his feet barely touched the ground as he raced into the clearing - late for his lesson.
"Mages should be prompt at all times," scolded Hallon, Sallan simply grinned at him.
"Karlina has agreed to betroth me, and her uncle gave his permission!"
"Darandarjan gave permission?"
"A true surprise, but I think he has seen that we are serious."
"After ten years as a pair, it should be obvious for all to see!"
"Has it truly been so long since we met?"
"Indeed it has, soon there won't be much more I can teach you."
"What then?"
"Wed your lovely filly, raise a herd of foals," suggested Hallon.
"Karlina's the filly from the vision isn't she?"
"I'm surprised you remember, but yes she is."
"What about the rest of it?"
"A trader's wagon, my wagon."
"And the journey?"
"Long and lonely."
"But how can I be lonely when Kalina is with me?"
"I just say it how I see it, my lad."
"What about the human woman, the reunion and the message?"
"Those are all connected," explained Hallon, "at the reunion you must give the message to the human woman who carries a blackwood harp."
"I don't understand."
"I expect it will all become clear afterwards."
"What reunion?" persisted Sallan. "And where do I get the message from? How am I supposed to tell one human female from another!"
"The harp, and I... suspect... that she will not be entirely human. As for the message, I will speak it to you, you must memorise it."
"Yes, Hallon."
Hallon made him repeat the message until he had it word, and pronunciation, perfect. He also decided that Sallan should have a final test.
It was just as the test was finishing that Karlina's uncle Darandarjan came upon the pair.