That is Elsydaleyn the Golden— No one knows when he was born, but he knew my grandsires, and my grandsires before them, and my grandsires before them. Many say he aided Harval the First in conquering this land from the ancient beastmen. Some whisper that he has always lived, and will live forever. Some say that, no, he will one day indeed grow aged and pass away— but you and I will never live to see that day. Our descendants, someday, if the kingdom holds… but what is that to us? He is as old as the forest itself, and as young as a fresh spring day— and when we pass, he will remain young while they lower our toothless bodies into the grave. He is not a man, young Kieran. Do not make that mistake. But he is our ally in the time that we have, though his reasons be his own.
