Silence befell the room, each face looked dumbfounded to the other, each raised an eyebrow inquisitively to the elder. Adonis was certainly, one with much confusion. His sister seemed unsure what to think at first but her expression went back to composed. copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BgTfEmADN
[Mayor: Why would you want my son?] copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mKaKr4K6O
[Oldman: {Many reasons really. He destroyed my possessions, and though I have less now, I still need assistance carrying what I need where horses can't go.}] copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsZNeBwcCK
[Mayor: I could maybe see some sense in wanting him for that, but he isn't even that strong. To top it off, even if I were to agree, who would be held responsible for the reparations of the damages he caused?] copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVx58Cz0gy
The Oldman running out of space on his paper, turned the leaf over and wrote more. copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwKR7CiE7e
[Oldman: {I don't know. That's not a me problem. But you said it yourself, he isn't that strong, so how would he contribute anything to the damage he caused?] copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNtLcEtI8F
Anna stood up to interject in the elders logic. copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdPEWYDuvf
[Anna: Pardon me elder, even though you saved this town, he still caused harm that he needs to make amends for. You cannot just take him. He's never even left this town more than twice. And he is still our family at that, we can't just alleviate ourselves of him. We don't really even know you to be honest, not even your name, which you have been aloof about. Not even where you are to go or how long it would take, or the dangers you would face. What you ask is too much, even as our savior.] copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcPcBXEqiE
[Elder: {I see. Even though you would have no town because of me, that is fine. I am after all, just an Oldman. But I suppose that if he is to come I will need to give some reason as to why and what I am doing.] copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEddrlQ73A
A few minutes passed before he was able to show this to the members of the room. Adonis himself was breaking into a cold sweat over this. Both father and daughter read the sheet of paper before the elder turned it over. Minutes passed as the elder wrote as quickly as possible, the explanation he had, and it went as such. copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6RlG5NiN2
[Oldman: I am to go to Adafus. There is an illness there that I am to cure, one much more severe than what you felt here not too long ago. This city is at the edge of this continent, or country, or what have you. It is my mission to sure the disease that befell you and your kin. Though, what better way to cure a sickness than to eliminate the source? I need the boy to carry my possessions and would have no other come than him. As for why, the reason is simple. The boy has been tainted by the foulest of greys and thus has a resistance near my own in strength. Where we would go is of a magnitude far greater in what you dealt with here. Only he can assist me there. It will also atone for his sins against the town, as he would be doing much more physical labor with me, than he would rebuilding a measly building or two, not to mention that he would be saving countless people in the process.}] copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHtxZ9w4Va
All three pondered on the words and had heavy brows. The mayor stroked his massive beard and broke the silence. copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aogg5FiZb
[Mayor: Hmm. Hmmmmmm. This will require more thought I'm afraid. We will give you a conclusion before you leave at day break tomorrow. Will that be okay Mr. Poet?] copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXv0TEt2uh
The elder nodded in contentment. He exited the room in a casual manor and made quick work back to his room at the inn. copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSLGfWNeWD
Daybreak was near to come and the Oldman was already up and about. The light orange sky painted the glass of his window and made the sky wear its ethereal majesty. The birds already started their songs, the frigid air already hugged the elders skin. He moved and trudged about the floor, warming up his joints in the process. He walked with good pace to the front of the inn with nothing on his back but his peasant clothes. He opened the door and was hit with it by some pushing force. He rubbed his head while questioning the nature of what just happened. On the other side of the opened door were a number of people, five of which were already familiar faces. With a bellowing voice of pride laced with being plain haughty, the mayor released a loud "Good Morn" to the elder, immediately hushed by his daughter. copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWD09ukdey
[Mayor: Oops. Anyways, pleasant seeing you again, good sir. How goes it.] copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfET6euBPJ
The elder pointed to his throat. copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOCxIFZ0tq
[Mayor: Apologies. I have all that you requested that was lost. We already packed everything in your bag, we figured that you would want to leave in a hurry, so let us make this short, shall we?] copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKHBjC2IjS
The elder nodded once, and then pointed to the bag and raised one finger and wore a look of confusion directed towards the mayor. copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nH3mnLo0U
[Mayor: Why one bag? That leads into the topic of my son, but before that, let me present you with three gifts.] copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVRHET1Wbt
The mayor took from his advisor, a sheathed sword. Its sheathe was a leathery black, and its hilt was coated in a spiral of gold and fine silver. The mayor unsheathed it and exposed its shimmering silver blade, even though not much day was exposed, it still shone brilliantly. Mayor Glass began the formalities. copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAszHgdGil
[Mayor: This sword is known as "Jibrill the awakener". She was forged centuries ago by the three best smiths this town had ever known, and given to the hero of the country to slay the dread dragon of devastation from Cinda. He was... to say the least. Not very successful in his mission. But his squire said he fought bravely!] copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlChWYN9A2
He was once again hushed by Anna. copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡph4FNrgxS9
[Mayor: Oh, apologies. For sake of condolences, the state gave the sword to this town where he was born, and we have treasured it since, we would like to gift it to you, a hero of the state.] copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNbQBbstVz
The elder thought to himself [What do they expect me to do with a sword? My goodness.] The mayor placed the sword in another bag, separate from the other. From another advisor he took a small vial, completely opaque. copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1aBmsGge9
[Mayor: The second gift is this vial which holds... err... well, I'm not quite sure, what is in it. It has been passed down through the history of this town for so long, none of us know what it is. We would have eventually opened it to see for ourselves, but, we might as well have you have it.] copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvt0BduEAx
The elder thought to himself yet again [So now they give me their garbage. What grateful people...] The mayor placed this in a small box, cushioned for it, and placed it in the same bag as the sword. Lastly, he took some other bag from another advisor and nearly dropped it due to its weight. copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡhe3uGRVk9x
[Mayor: Lastly, is this, bag of coins. All from the town decided to give one coin to you, and then we condensed it into more precious coins. You have no, about 20,000 Eins in gold. That’s what? 200 coins?] copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gXNfCV7RQ
This too was placed in the bag, which now seemed to be a lot heavier than before. The mayor exhaled all the air in his lungs. copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UWBgfe1jc
[Mayor: About the boy. After much deliberation, yes, you can have him with you, but on one condition. You must swear that you will deliver him back safely and with growth.] copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡDD2Yl840M1
The elder shook his head in compliance with the imposed stipulations. Adonis was there of course, but he seemed to have accepted his fate and casted his eyes down. Anna sighed and a crack of a smile came on her face. The Oldman shook hands with the mayor and a small cheer rose and fell. copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQhpfYoBhZ
[Mayor: Then its settled. We repaired your bag, gifted you, and offered assistance. You will hopefully teach him humility and responsibility. Again, thank you! Your carriage already here it seems. Goodbye!] copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fzXHzM7O9
The Oldman and boy boarded the carriage and made quick way exiting the town. Along the roads were all the townsfolk lined the roads and cheered, they tossed flowers of all shades and colors. Their cheering went to no waste, as the elder looked utterly inflated with pride. copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7TG5R0aeW
[Adonis: Say, didn't you have a fox or something?] copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrudYoj6WH
The elders eyes shot open and jumped out the back of the carriage to the shock of all the folk. With lightning speed, the elder went back to the inn and saw Fandra and other children playing with Lassie. He whistled and like a soldier Lassie rushed over to him, but not before licking the faces of the children. In his arms she went as he sprinted back to the carriage. copyright protection276ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUnN3c5jh0
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