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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡkk4YMttPGU
[Mayor: Why would you want my son?] copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1gOaK3h7a
[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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVFngEEOH9
[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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2to1fSu5z
The Oldman running out of space on his paper, turned the leaf over and wrote more. copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMAFBLpF2w
[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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqsvOI9txR
Anna stood up to interject in the elders logic. copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡCST6hUlapq
[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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPdkuP5Uu8
[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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkzTPnCYQa
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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡPt2JzjEVu3
[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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdSzynpDiT
All three pondered on the words and had heavy brows. The mayor stroked his massive beard and broke the silence. copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKdmD3Jg2A
[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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR3tBDNfyh
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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUvcu3zTHS
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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtC1Pg4zx6
[Mayor: Oops. Anyways, pleasant seeing you again, good sir. How goes it.] copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXYerzRePp
The elder pointed to his throat. copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8k0kO4UIL
[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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvfpw4GBEd
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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOaG2BfUQ4
[Mayor: Why one bag? That leads into the topic of my son, but before that, let me present you with three gifts.] copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmdEnxtrsb
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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfHrEewkPa
[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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxZId1ktWb
He was once again hushed by Anna. copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡygxLUUjolL
[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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡAx1hZFvv0l
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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡGySFh5HCzD
[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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7UkSOecdA
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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡYN8Z57FADG
[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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkfO0wUI9t
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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXBght4wGi
[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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E5fDaniL1
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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHlewmLr4U
[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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqRvG9ZLGF
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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Nk92Ykqg5
[Adonis: Say, didn't you have a fox or something?] copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgNNuk9fLd
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 protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GD1cjab4Q
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