Chapter 36

Agmar stood quietly to one side as Lynna seemed to say goodbye to nearly half the town. He felt impatient, urged on by every step closer the evil came to reaching the next populated area. He could get them within a few hour's walk of the temple, at a crossroads he knew of where one of the roads led up the hill to it. They had already stayed a day more than he would have liked, but he hadn't been willing to deny Lynna and Stott the chance to enjoy the festivities the town had enjoyed once everyone had had nearly a full day's sleep.

He could tell these people had been through some hard times before, based on some of the preparations they had done before sleep had been possible. Bodies of animals that had decent enough meat had been taken to cool cellars for butchering. The houses that stood had been accounted for and those that no longer had owners became temporary homes for those who's houses had burned. Friends asked others to move in with them, and the inns were open to all who needed them.

After sleeping, some woke before others. They began the process of salting and smoking the meat, as well as cooking a huge breakfast mainly consistant of warm spiced bread, bacon, and sausages. As promised, a couple of pigs were spitted and began slowly turning over a low fire in the marketplace, cooking for hours. By the time it was ready to eat, the smell of it had reached every last person in town. The day had been a lot more work, as people sorted through the rubble of burned homes and other buildings, and bodies were somberly buried in the local cemetery. Before the feast was served, Avern had read the long list of those that had been lost, and a moment of silence was observed. Avern had followed it with a short speech of thanks that had included Agmar, and had managed to raise the spirits of the crowd again by the end of it.

I can only hope that others will be so hardy, he thought to himself. They had eaten heartily, and shared stories of the heroic moments of the ordeal. Music had started up after the meal and kegs of ale and wine were opened. They danced the night away, happy for what they did have, instead of mourning what they had lost. He had watched as people wandered home at varying levels of intoxication, smiling and laughing. Lynna's house still stood, and she returned home for one last night of sleep in her room.

This morning, they had risen early to get a head start on the day. At breakfast, they had been interrupted as a couple of sailors and one of the dockboys had brought over a locker of items for Stott to sort through from his father's boat. Stott had added a few items, mostly a heavy rain jacket and a few books, to his own duffel of belongings before telling them they could do what they needed with the rest. Stott now stood a few feet back from Lynna, talking and shaking hands with townsfolk that approached him to say goodbye. His duffel of belongings lay at his feet. Agmar had noticed that the boy was tidy when it came to packing, and it was obvious his books were his prized possesions. Each leatherbound volume had been carefully wrapped in a piece of clothing to protect it from being damaged. Everything else had been packed crisp and compact. He suspected that the boy's father had had a military background, possibly navy, for Stott to have picked up such a habit. He wondered idly what had happened to his mother.

Agmar was startled from his thoughts as Margaret approached him, looking somewhat awkward.

"Agmar," she began. She paused for a moment, as if composing what she wanted to say before continuing. He waited politely.

"I'm sorry I was so... difficult in the beginning," she said. "Thank you, Agmar. For everything. Thank you."

He went to reply, but found himself unexpectedly being kissed. When she pulled away, he noticed a few people staring at them. Her face was flushed, and she somewhat hastily backed off. He found himself unable to say anything more to her as Avern and Lynna were coming up to him with a crowd of people in tow. Margaret quicly moved back somewhere into the crowd of townsfolk.

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."

"I - but - it's your sword, sir!" Stott finally managed. "I don't know that I'm worthy of it."

"Your heart is," Syred answered. "The rest of you will catch up soon enough I'm sure. And it would be wasted here, collecting dust over the fireplace. I'm done now, Stott. You need it now more than I."

"Thank you, sir. I'll try to use it honorably." Stott looked down at it in awe, as if afraid to touch it.

"We should get moving," Agmar said, his thoughts still running ahead of himself. "There is much to do this day."

"Agmar." Avern reached out and shook Agmar's hand, giving it a firm squeeze. "Be safe," the mayor of Eagle's Harbor told him. Agmar simply nodded in response, a part of him wistfully dreaming of what it would be like it he could just settle down amongst the townsfolk and live out his days quietly battling nothing more than the occasional storm.

We were not meant for normal lives, a voice in his memories reminded him quietly. Such talent comes with a price - an obligation to mankind. Perhaps, one day, when you are as old as I, you will come to rest in this place and teach others. Until that day, However, you must follow the path that flows before you. Agmar breathed in the morning air as Avern turned and shook Yilmack and Stott's hands in turn. He brought himself back to the reality of the day again, Avern's voice breaking through his reverie.

"...and Lynna, please write. I doubt I'm the only one here who will want to know how your journies play out. Send letters to me."

"I will when I can, father. Please don't worry so much. It won't be easy but this is something I have to do. And I want to. I can make a difference."

I know," Avern replied. "You've said it already, it's just hard for me to let of my little girl, even though she's gone and grown up." He gave her another hug and kissed her on the forehead. "I love you, Lynna. Never forget that. You will always have a home here."

"I love you too, father. I won't forget." She turned and gave Mary a quick hug as well. "Take care of him for me, Mary."

"I'll make sure he doesn't get into too much trouble," Mary grinned. "You be careful out there."

"I will," Lynna nodded. She turned to face Agmar, and he saw the young woman take a deep breath.

"I'm ready now," she told him. Her voice was strong, but her eyes showed that he was not the only one of them trying to anticipate what lay ahead. He nodded at her approvingly.

"Farewell, Eagle's Harbor," he turned and said briefly. Agmar then turned and strode down the road, shifting his heavy pack so that the well-worn strap was in a more comfortable position on his shoulder. He didn't look back, although he was sure that Lynna and Stott both did. He felt them fall in behind himself and Yilmack, who had quickly matched Agmar's stride.

As the sun rose in the sky, illuminating what remained of Eagle's Harbor, the remaining townsfolk and sailors stood in the road leading away from their fishing village, waving at the four figures that made their way inland. Somewhere, deep inside Agmar's heart, he knew he'd never have another chance to return.