"Some of this you must have guessed already, through the use of your talisman."
Anest almost groaned aloud in comprehension as he considered the old talisman laying atop the centre of the staff at his feet. "To tell the truth, I had thought a staff would be a different matter, somewhat!" He gave the old wizard a wry look. "It did provide a wise means to minimise any damage I might have done along the way."
Instead of responding to the humour in this remark, Belloc considered the young man with something akin to sadness or impending loss. Then he said, "Well, your talisman has served its purpose. But now, the time for toys is past. You shall hold a wizard's staff, and today you shall complete yourself. You shall find in yourself the secret and perilous knowledge that makes a wizard.
"Now, follow my lead. And do not deviate, for any reason whatever!"
Not giving Anest a chance to respond, Belloc placed the heel of his new staff on one side of the old, at the point where Anest's talisman lay upon it. Swallowing in a dry throat, steeling himself for what was to come, Anest followed suit.
"Clear your mind. Concentrate."
At once, the old staff burst into incandescent yellow fire, and the talisman glowed hotly red.