Musings Of An Elderly Man

~ In Donath's Family's Bakery ~

The kneeling women began to tremble with emotion as tears of both sadness and gratefulness fell to the floor, dotting a line by the fireplace. A few moments passed as a faint glow appeared within the flames speaking directly to their minds. For only those who prayed could hear this voice. And then just as suddenly… The faint glow vanished. 

A nervous look appeared on Donath's face as his wife looked at him with a tearful look. The kind of look that would stir all manner of emotions in a man. Tears fell from her face and yet there was still a smile. 

"Darling, we must make way for Lady Eternia's Nest. The most Holy and Sacred of places. There we will be spared the fate of death. But…" Donath's wife started to explain and then choked on her words. "We must leave this city and all our belongings behind bringing with us nothing but the clothes on our back and faith in our hearts." She finished, standing up and leaned into Donath's arms. 

"Such a thing…" Donath was about to start saying. And then he stopped himself and wrapped his arms around his wife. "Such a test of faith would be difficult for those who simply seek survival… There will undoubtedly be unfaithful wretches trying to mix into the crowd just to survive." He said, embracing his wife. 

"With news like this. We should get out of here right away. The sooner the better. The chaos in the streets is just going to get worse as time goes on." Ralond said, standing up with a serious face. 

"Make sure to grab your mother in law, Donath." The elderly woman said with a smile on her face, the kind that is clearly meant to hide her intentions. However, the elderly man across the room knew what this smile meant. He had been married to the woman for many, many years. 

"Good, those kids need their grandmother. And I'm sure you'll need your mother too my dear." The elderly man said with a similar smile, speaking to his granddaughter. "Ralond, you'll take care of them won't you?" He asked, turning to Ralond. 

Ralond, having been a soldier for so many years knew exactly what was going on here. It was painfully obvious to him. But to the two young kids it wasn't very clear. Even still those kids grabbed onto and held their mother, looking up clearly confused. 

"You intend on staying here then? I see, if this is truly how you wish it to be then I'll take care of their safety through the city. You have my word on my honor as a Guard… No, the honor of a man." He said, bowing respectfully. 

"Good, make sure to teach the kids about this once they are old enough to understand. For now, we are simply going to a place to watch over their future." The elderly man calmly stated, pulling out an item. "This here is something I once got from a young boy and his Master. A Magus and his apprentice. A young boy at the time. Magus at that time had plenty of money but the boy still wanted to pay with this for some reason." He explained, handing a monster core brimming with magical power, to Ralond.

"This… This is a Nagath's core… Is this the one from that young man who killed the Nagath all those years ago? I remember that day vividly. It was when my friendship with those two survivors really began to grow." Ralond asked, trembling slightly as the core fell into his hands. The sheer weight of it strained his arms due to the unexpected weight. 

"Hahaha, Imagine my surprise when that kid just tossed it like it was nothing. I think… That's when I decided to stop hunting monsters…" The elderly man laughed, then started coughing hard. 

"Was that really the reason? I see… A shame…" Ralond mumbled looking down at his hands. 

"A shame? If there was a young adult even half as capable as that boy was, I wouldn't have had to tank any outbreaks." The elderly man sighed. "Well, not like it matters now. He should be a young man by now. I wonder if he found himself a woman yet… Anyways, take that core with you. If all else fails I'm sure you'd be able to barter for the family to gain safe passage, using it. Bird type monsters despise those snake type monsters. Seeing one that strong being dead, just might save a few lives." The elderly man continued. 

"This is truly your wish?" Ralond asked, in a mildly serious tone. 

"Indeed, now go on. I'm sure you'll have a hard time going through the chaotic crowds. Best not to delay any further." The elderly man coughed, nodding his head. 

The elderly man was starting to look worse for wear by the second. It was clear that something had accelerated his injuries and even the aging process. It was clear that he would be dead long before the monsters would attack the city. 

Ralond and the others, seeing how the old man looked, all nodded. Each of them knew exactly what to do. Ralond put away the monster core and remained still. Donath's wife picked up their daughter, Donath picked up his son and the four of them went to the carriage outside. Preparing the children to go on the trip. 

Following out after them was Ralond's Daughter, carrying her young baby. She was escorted out by her husband, Denro. Denro looked back at Ralond and nodded, knowing that there were things that needed to be done. 

Ralond's wife went up to grab Donath's Mother-in-law. Who was unfortunately awake again, she heard everything that had been said. It didn't take long for them to come down the stairs. Both women stopped and Donath's mother-in-law turned to the elderly man and bowed, then turned to the elderly woman and bowed again. Then she, crying, left the building, Ralond's wife leaving with her. 

"So, now that they are gone, you know what we want, don't you?" The elderly woman asked, struggling her way to the table with a glass of water. 

"I… I understand. But can you tell me your reasoning? The old man… I understand. But you, you easily have more than a few hours left." Ralond asked, gripping his hand into a bleeding fist.