Chapter Thirteen, "The Iron Sage"

"What are you?"

Alicea stood on the rock panting. Even if she could slip a blow past her adversary's defenses it was deflected painlessly by his iron skin. He hadn't even produced a weapon yet; he dodged her axes with inhuman skill.

"I am Nond, the sage."
"Why do you insist on fighting me? Surely the defeat of Kron can not be a bad thing."
"It's not about Kron. The sprites must be attended. The Ga-Vok have failed and the Nielda are not there to commit the task."
"How is that my problem?"
"The demons oppose you. That was reason enough for me to bring you here."
"The what now?"

Nond reached to his side. The iron from his side flowed out to meet his hand, and as he drew it away it formed a sword.
"You must be prepared. The demons oppose you."

She parried his blow. His onslaught was furious, it took all of her skill in both magic and combat to defend herself.
He relented after several hours.
"Why did you stop?"
"You are not unprepared."
"Then can I go now?"
"You are not prepared."
"But you just said..."
"Not being unprepared and being prepared are not the same thing."
"Yes they are, you can either be ready for something or not. There's no middle ground in that status."
"Perhaps I should explain further that you are prepared for the battles, but you are unprepared for the task."
"I didn't volunteer myself for a task. I already have a quest; it's a very good quest."
"They're not exclusive, killing Kron will be a part of the task."
"That's not actually my quest. Killing Kron is more just a vengeance, justice-y thing I plan on doing."
"The spirit mentioned that. It's a long term task, so I'll be escorting you over the course of phase two."