Chapter Text
The future is a strange thing. Wobbly and uncertain, like the surface of a lake.
People have a lot to say about the future, can we know it? If so can it be changed?
It is the nature of the future that it is a mystery, even to the wise and learned.
As with all things the future has its students, those that peer beyond to catch glimpses of what might be. These glimpses are seldom of any use, for often seeing a future is enough to destroy it.
In a still pool, in a silent forest, one such seeker of the future gazed into the waters of possibility. The water showed her fire, destruction and death.
In another world she looked away, unable to watch her home's destruction and so learned no more.
But in this world she looked, kept her eyes fixed and saw for a second amidst the chaos, one face, a face that burnt with a cruel and fey light, a fire long past quenching, a fire that would burn all she loved.
The vision dissolved into ripples, and the watcher sat for a long time beside the pool.
She knew as well as any the danger of trying to prevent a future you can not fully see. But what else could she do?
In her heart she resolved "This will not be!" And aloud she cried out "Let it not come to pass! Oh, show mercy and do not let this one bring the destruction I have foreseen!"
The forest was still around her, not even a birds song broke the silence.
But somewhere, far above and beyond the world a mercy was granted and something changed, a small thing, some might say insignificant, but even the largest trees began as a small seed. And no one can know what effect they will have.
After all if it is true, as often is said, that kingdoms have been lost for the want of a nail, then what would happen if a nail was found?
For want of a nail, the shoe was lost;
For want of a shoe, the horse was lost;
For want of a horse, the rider was lost;
For want of a rider, the battle was lost;
For want of a battle, the kingdom was lost,
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.