As he slowly stretches and awakes, Zanthos thinks about his family once more. As he has already left them, he decides to not let them down and continue with his quest. He will destroy the Fallen Elves in their name, and then perhaps they would forgive him for leaving, and hopefully give him the Lordship too. After deciding on this course of action, Zanthos arises from his bed and does a few jumping jacks, push-ups, and sit-ups, settling into his routine morning warm-up. This was natural to him and always helped prepare him for whatever he needed to do that day. He quickly dresses, gathers his possessions, and heads to the first floor to check out. As he waits in line to hand in his keys, he notices an old man sitting in the corner of the room. The man looks to be very sick, in danger of dying quickly. A large ostrich-like creature is standing next to the man, seemingly owned by him. After finishing with the keys, Zanthos quickly heads over to the man.
"Are you all right?" He asks, "You don't look very good."
"No," the man says in a very thin and wavering voice, "I've been infected with the Dark Sickness. It is only contagious through Darkness creatures, but I will die in the next few hours."
"Maybe I can help you," Zanthos says, "I have a special skill that may allow me to cure you."
Zanthos channels the life force inside him, feeling it course through his veins, and concentrates it in his hands. He holds them over the sick man, pouring the life into him. As he continues, the man visibly strengthens, his wrinkles fading, his form getting larger and his eyes becoming bright. As Zanthos finishes, the man gazes at him with a look of awe and gratitude.
"Thank you, noble stranger," He says as he continues to gaze at Zanthos with reverence, "You have just saved my life! As payment, I humbly offer to you my mount, an Azif Featherider. It may be common, but you'll find it has speed in its veins.
"I could not possibly accept such a gift. How else will you travel? I am young, able to walk easily, but you are older, and you need such a mount as this to help you journey across the land!"
"Oh no, my kind friend. I have no need for it, since I decided just now that I will stay in this town until the day I die, making a living and telling anyone who wishes to hear my miraculous story."
"Well, thank you for the very generous gift. I shall put it to good use, traveling across the Aether Plains. May your life be happy and long, and may the great goddess Ferox watch kindly over you."
"And may the god Paradox watch over your journey and keep you safe. Goodbye, my healer."
"And goodbye to you, my old friend."
After Waving goodbye to the innkeeper, the old man, and the rest of the town, Zanthos, now on his new mount, continues on his journey through Aetherland.
Zanthos has 14
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