A Friendly Stranger

A Friendly Stranger

Zelnard smiled, relieved that the young man was alive.

"Just glad I could help," he said. "What's your name?"

"Kazrod," the traveller replied, gritting his teeth as he carefully tried to stand. "I'm a healer from Mystral Archive. I've come to Argent on my way to Kefar on a quest to find talented young Aethorian mages for a journey to Ironroot Bastion."

Zelnard's eyes widened.

"A quest? What kind of quest?"

Kazrod chuckled despite the pain.

"I discovered an ancient riddle in the Library of the Astryx Arcanum in Luminary Prime. It speaks of a great secret hidden within Ironroot Bastion...something powerful. I'm gathering a team to investigate it."

He paused, studying the young mage before continuing.

"I've actually come here to meet a Pyro Mage named Lukindar from the Solaryn Reliquary. But after seeing what you just did..." he smiled, "...I could certainly use someone with your talents."

Zelnard's heart hammered inside his chest.

This was the opportunity he had dreamed about. A chance to prove himself. A chance to do something greater than selling seaweed cheese in the market.

"I want to go with you," he blurted out before he had time to think.

Kazrod looked him over thoughtfully.

"You're very young. What do they call you?"

"Zelnard, sir!"

Kazrod laughed.

"No need to call me sir. I'm only a few years older than you. It's our youth that makes us brave, is it not?"

"Yes," Zelnard replied confidently. "And you'll find no one braver than I on this island."

"I think I heard someone mention you're from a monastery," Kazrod said. "Help me over to that crate and I'll rest for a moment."

Zelnard slipped beneath the injured healer's arm and carefully guided him across the dock as the gathering crowd slowly dispersed.

Once seated, Kazrod asked, "Are you studying to become a mage?"

"Yes," Zelnard replied proudly. "I'm strongest with water powers, and some of the masters even say I'm ready to pass my early examinations."

Kazrod nodded approvingly.

"I could certainly use someone like you. But I doubt the monastery will simply let you leave. How old are you?"

"Fifteen," Zelnard lied with remarkable confidence.

Kazrod raised an eyebrow.

"You don't look a day over ten. When do you graduate?"

Zelnard puffed out his chest.

"Well...I'm very much my own man. I can come and go as I please, and right now I please to go on an epic quest with you!"

Kazrod smiled warmly.

"I believe in destiny, young mage. I'm quite certain you were standing here today so that we could meet."

"Your bravery and quick thinking have earned you a place on this journey. But first, we must speak with your master. Your skills could be invaluable to us, but I won't take you without his blessing. Besides," he added with a grin, "I'd rather not become the target of a search party of angry monks."

"Gather your things and meet me at the Woodrow Inn beside the south gate this evening. That's where I'm meeting Lukindar."

Zelnard nodded enthusiastically.

"I'll see you tonight! Wait for me!"

His mind was already racing ahead.

I'll talk to Ferson.

I'll convince him.

Kazrod watched him with a hint of uncertainty.

"Very well," he said. "But don't keep me waiting. My quest holds for no one."

Zelnard sprinted back through the bustling streets toward the market, barely noticing the crowds he weaved between. His thoughts spun faster than his feet.

When he reached the cheese stall, Ferson was already packing away the remaining wheels.

"Ready to head back, Zelnard?" the old mage asked with a satisfied smile. "We've had quite the sales day. Only three wheels left. Help me load them up."

Zelnard swallowed.

Somehow, he had to convince Ferson that leaving the monastery to sail across the world with a stranger he'd met only minutes earlier was a perfectly sensible idea.

Thy Quests
Do you think Kazrod was wise to invite a young boy to join such an important quest? What qualities did he see in Zelnard that made him worth trusting? Explain your thinking using evidence from the chapter.