Then, he saw them; indistinct nightmare shadows that were neither bats nor crows nor cormorants, and in that instant, even as he knew them, he knew that they in their turn knew him! As though drawn, their wheeling stopped. As one they came hurtling in his direction! In another moment . . . !
Recoiling in horror, he backed away, toppling his chair. With a gesture, Belloc silenced the crystal. "Be forewarned!" he said. "Do not let curiosity get the better of you when I am not here to guide you."
Waiting until the boy had recovered himself and been sufficiently reassured, Belloc then showed Anest other more pleasant aspects of his craft, making small objects vanish, change, and reappear. Perhaps the greatest magic the wizard showed the boy that day was a little kindness and understanding. In response, Anest became a willing pupil, if a little undisciplined. But Belloc was pleased by his efforts, and indeed, became much like a father to the boy, as Anest's father had not been, lost in his despair.
As the years passed, Anest came to look at this place as home, and it was more so, perhaps, than the one he had left. In many ways his overall situation was well suited to his nature. His skill with bow and sword was needed often when the rock-gnomes and goblins became too bold. Meanwhile, his curiosity grew in proportion to his growing knowledge, and he came to learn much about the history of the lands that were, at least for the time being, the Four Kingdoms.