Come this way,” the Diviner invited, guiding Knox, Tess, Newel, and Doren to where four chairs awaited in a semicircle, shielded from onlookers on the street by heaps of rubble.

“He had them ready for us,” Tess exclaimed.

“What if he holds conferences with his meals?” Doren asked. “When are you going to grind our bones into bread?”

“I am one of the Kurut Oi,” the Diviner explained. “More commonly we are called the gentle giants. I abstain from violence, and I eat no flesh.”

“That’s a really big vegan,” Knox murmured.

“What do you want with us?” Tess asked.

“That partly depends on you,” the Diviner said. He sat down cross-legged, facing the four chairs. “Please be seated.”

The foursome accepted the invitation. Two of the chairs looked like they belonged at a dinner table, another was a wide armchair, and the smallest was fashioned from bamboo. Knox claimed the armchair. Tess ended up on the bamboo seat.

“You’re called the Diviner,” Newel said. “Does that mean you find things?”

“Yes,” the Diviner said. Leaning forward, he produced a tuning fork and flicked it with his fingernail. “Keep still,” the giant said. He placed the humming fork beside Doren’s left ear, then swept it over his head to the right one. He repeated the process with the others. Knox was mildly surprised at how much louder the tuning fork sounded when it vibrated beside his ear.

“Are you helping us find the right pitch?” Newel asked, humming to match the tone of the tuning fork.

“I’m learning about you,” the Diviner said. “I lack my ideal setting, and I have lost many of my tools, but I can still discern much.”

“I need to find my cousins,” Knox said. “Kendra and Seth.”

“I’ve actually met your cousin Seth,” the Diviner said. “We spoke not long ago.”

“You know Seth?” Tess asked. “Do you know where he is?”

“You can ask his friend,” the Diviner said, turning to stare at rumpled tapestry partly buried under broken bricks. “Come out, little one.”

The tapestry shifted and a portly little troll emerged, with a rather large head and stubby limbs. “How you know I here?” the short troll asked.

“I pay attention,” the Diviner said.

“Who’s this guy?” Doren asked.

“Me Hermo,” the troll said.

“A hermit troll?” Newel asked.

“Tell them about Seth,” the Diviner coaxed. “These are his cousins and his friends.”

Hermo spat on the ground. “Seth gone. Went far. No use fishy.”

“How do you know Seth?” Tess asked.

Hermo folded his arms. “He my friend. He lost me.”

“May I?” the Diviner asked, holding out the tuning fork.

Hermo waved him away. “No tricks. No magic. Me follow goatboys and cousins already. Find Seth.”

“Were you following us?” Newel asked.

“Me on walk,” Hermo said. “Find you. Go same direction.”

“What does the chime show you?” Knox asked the giant.

“Truth resonates,” the Diviner said. “I seek what actually is, what actually was, and what actually will be. Simple truths are obscured by deception and illusion and often missed through inattention.”

“Sounds deep,” Newel said.

“Is it the kind of deep with a practical side?” Doren asked.

“Little is more practical than knowing truth,” the Diviner said.

“How about the truth of where treasure is hidden?” Doren asked.

“We are all wanderers in this world,” the Diviner said. “We create a home, forgetting it is temporary. We possess an item, forgetting this state will not endure. We dwell in a dimension of beginnings and endings. We embark on journeys, presuming to know what we seek, while the wise are always finding. I do help the worthy find treasure, though you and I may define the term differently.”

“I see,” Doren said, steepling his fingers. “In your definition, does treasure jingle? Does it shine? Is it expensive?”

“What you most value is your treasure,” the Diviner said.

“Giant talk and talk,” Hermo said. “Me know how find treasure.”

“You acted like you have a message for us,” Knox said to the Diviner. “What did you want to share?”

“Your cousin Seth is far away but will return,” the Diviner said. “Your cousin Kendra is near but will depart.”

“Can we find Kendra before she leaves?” Tess asked.

“Doubtful, little one,” the Diviner said. “Even if you could, it would cause delays for all.”

“And you know this by waving around a tuning fork?” Knox asked.

“The fork heightens my perceptions,” the Diviner said.

“This sounds like fortune cookie nonsense,” Knox said. “I’ve never liked this kind of thing. What’s my favorite color? What number am I thinking of? What’s my destiny?”

“Manners, Knox,” Doren said through a brittle smile.

“I require none to believe me,” the Diviner said. “Most feel more comfortable living in denial.”

“Is the best use of time in an emergency to have our palms read?” Knox said.

“You are free to go where you choose, Knox,” the Diviner said. “I know about your secret. Do with it as you will.”

Knox froze. “My secret?”

“The one in your possession,” the Diviner said. “You claim to have no favorite color, but it is bright orange. The number you wanted me to guess was seven. Your destiny is complicated, but you do possess potential for greatness. I won’t tell your secret. It is for you to disclose as you see fit.”

“Are you keeping secrets from us?” Tess asked her brother.

“We all have secrets,” Knox said.

“Is he right about the color?” Newel wondered.

“Psychics have their little tricks,” Knox said.

“The number too?” Doren checked.

“Seven is the obvious choice,” Knox replied.

“The valley giants already march to raid Humburgh,” the Diviner said. “They have steadfastly honored whoever wore the crown. Some of the hill giant tribes draw near as well. As do many ogres. Those of you who want gold and jewels should hurry. Be prepared to defend what you claim.”

“He is sucking the fun out of this,” Doren grumbled.

“What about me?” Tess asked, raising her hand.

“You are drawn to light, little one,” the Diviner said. “Your perceptions are keen. Use that to the advantage of all around you. Escape to Selona. Resist the storm there.”

Newel gave a chuckle. “Easier said than done. Selona is a legendary realm. Who knows where to find it?”

“Follow the guidance of those privy to the secret,” the Diviner said.

“Aren’t you supposed to find things?” Newel asked. “Why don’t you tell us how to get there?”

The giant smiled. “Stay your course, take it one step at a time, and watch for opportunities to arise. First you need to help Seth.”

“How?” Doren asked.

The giant stared directly at Knox. “Aid him in his quest. Beware of claiming that which is not yours, and of discarding that which is precious.”

“This is deteriorating into riddles,” Newel said.

“I think he has issues with looting,” Doren said.

The Diviner stood. “Loot. Hide. Flee. Fight. It all involves risk. My time here is done.”

“Where will you go?” Tess asked.

“Back to my clan,” the giant said. “After a long absence.”

“How can we win the dragon war?” Knox asked.

“There are various ways to help,” the Diviner said. “I will not fight, nor will my clan. But we shall do what we can. I wish I could see more, and farther, but the coming storm is chaotic indeed.” He produced a coin and tossed it to Knox, who caught it.

“What’s this?” Knox asked, holding it up. “Is it made of jade?”

“The coin marks you as a friend to giants,” the Diviner said. “The service you are performing for us remains incomplete.” He held out a hand, palm downward. “I bestow this status freely.”

Knox felt a tingle in his chest.

The giant turned and strode away.

“I like his style,” Newel said. “Very mysterious.”

“He could add some showmanship,” Doren said. “Some smoke bombs. Snakes in cages. Maybe an exotic hat.”

“Wouldn’t a psychic have gotten out of town before the attack?” Knox asked.

“It would have been nice to hear about some prime loot,” Doren said. “But I’m glad to know Seth is heading our way.”

“Assuming he’s right,” Knox said, fingering the crown hidden beneath his shirt.

“Him blowhard,” Hermo said. “Me find loot. What you want?”

“Are we still after treasure?” Newel asked. “Knowing the giants are coming?”

“We already suspected that,” Doren said. “I say we still look around. It beats roaming an open plain or cowering in a cellar. Hermo, how are you at finding gold?”

The little troll gave a snort. “It easy.”

“Do you already have a lot?” Doren asked.

Hermo shook a finger. “Gold make problem. Too much gold is too much problem.”

“Knox, you haven’t told us your secret,” Tess implored.

“It’s private,” Knox said. “I’m with Doren. Let’s find some problems.”