The Stone of Mercy

Carling stared at the bird as it approached and sent out occasional screeches. She wasn’t sure if she should run and hide or stay where she was. She chose to stand firm and wait. Soon it was directly over her and circling around, calling out almost frantically now. Just as it flew down to within a few feet of her, one of the bird’s large talons opened wide and a stunning green stone, circular in shape, fell to the ground at her feet. Carling bent to look at it. It was the most beautiful stone she had ever seen. The color was the green of the forest that she loved. The shape had not been sculpted by a human hand. It was too perfect. Even the artisans of Duende would not have been able to create such a stone. The stone was both beautiful and frightening, and she knew immediately that it was the Stone of Mercy she was seeking. From what little Vidente had told her, she also knew this stone held great power, a power she did not understand. That frightened her.