Avern hobbled forward on the crutch that had been presented to him earlier. Mary followed a little bit behind him.
"This is a delightful town you have here, Mister mayor," Agmar said with a smile . I'm going to miss it."
"After all that's happened?"
"In part because of it."
"You know you will always be welcome here, right?" The people behind Avern nodded in agreement. Agmar smiled at them all.
It was a sunny morning. A warm breeze brought the smell of the sea over the town. It seemed a pleasant day for travel. He hefted the pack on his shoulders, knowing it would not be very long day. He only intended on hiking far enough--a couple of miles should suffice, he thought.
Yilmack traveled lightly. He had a small pack that probably weighed no more than his sword. Stott had his pack and stood near Yilmack. It looked as though Stott had already said any necessary goodbyes.
"One thing, please," Syred said, walking up to them. "Stott, I was about your age when I left home. At the time I thought I was unappreciated. I don't want you walking off feeling the same way. You've saved a lot of people, and I think there's a lot more of that in your future. I want you to have this."
Syred unbuckled his sword belt and knelt, buckling it around a stunned Stott. "You'll teach him how to use it, Mister Yilmack?"
"Of course I will, Master Syred," Yilmack said with a kneeling bow. Stott stood, flabbergasted. Agmar put a hand on his shoulder. "I think you have a lot of learning ahead of you."
