Elder Aldis

A few weeks after the marriage, Oliver and Sigrid got called by the Elder Aldis. Oliver and Sigrid once again came to the place where they officially married the Everbloom Chapel, the residence of elder Aldis. at a throne made from intervening branches which blossomed in the most beautiful colours sat a looking crunched-up thin old man. But then he slowly raised his head full of thin white hair and opened his bright, sky-like, blue eyes which seemed to hold infinity behind them. Sigrid and Oliver knelt and raised their eyes to meet Elder Aldis. Looking into this decrypt looking the old man's eyes Oliver and Sigrid felt like looking at a millennia-old tree which spread to both earth and heaven. His eyes full of love looked down upon the newlywed couple and slowly opened his mouth.

"I see you are well younglings, stand up." He told them in his shaky weak voice. Oliver took Sigrid's right hand and stood up with her. This gesture revealed the ring on Sigrid's hand. Elder Aldis looked at it with a reminiscent look. "the relic ring…" Elder Aldis murmured to himself and continued. "This reminds me of your Mother Oliver, she sadly does not come often to visit me." Elder Aldis added with a quiet laughter.

Oliver smiled with a deprecating smile and answered. "I'm very sorry about mother I will let her know you want to talk." As Oliver was opening his mouth to continue Sigrid suddenly stepped in front of him and jubiliantly exclaimed. "Hello granda Aldis, I see you are as strong and handsome as ever." This caused Elder Aldis to blush and smile with happiness. Sigrid Continued. "We know that Granda Aldis is quite busy. So, why don't we just get straight to the point." Oliver just shook his head and let Sigrid continue. "Grandpa, we just came back after 7 years and had a wedding two weeks ago and you already need us for something" Sigrid cutely pouted.

Elder Aldis looked at Sigrid and Oliver and marvelled at what fine mages they had become. He felt that just yesterday he saw them graduating academy. "Well of course I have an errand for you to run younglings." Elder Aldis slowly started explaining. "Recently some of the farmers in the rocky mountain forest have complained about somebody killing their livestock and even the dogs who protect them." Both Oliver stood silently with wide-open eyes and looked at each other. Sigrid moved her beautiful face closer to Oliver and quietly whispered in his ear while still looking at Elder Aldis. "Oli, I think Grandpa Aldis is finally on his deathbed." Oliver slowly gulped and nodded to Sigrid's comment. Grandpa Aldis acting like he hasn't noticed anything continued in the same tone. "Our poor farmers who work hard to procure the tasty food we put on our tables in the Guild. It is a very grave problem indeed, what if I don't get to eat steak… I mean what if we don't have enough food to feed the kids " Elder Aldis continued mumbling seemingly to himself. Sigrid and Oliver once again incredulously looked at this, so-called saint of the continent acting so shamelessly in front of them. Finally, Oliver broke Aldis's mumbling " We understand that this is a serious issue but sending me and Sigrid seems like a bit of overkill, doesn't it." Sigrid nodded enthusiastically while looking at Oliver. Elder Aldis got serious for a moment and let out a breath. "It might be too much." Elder Aldis started and then somberly added. "Or not." Both Oliver and Sigrid exchanged glances and as Sigrid was about to open her perfect red lips again Elder Aldis started laughing and added. "it's not like you have a choice not to go". He then suddenly raised his head and quickly shot out a comment which struck Sigrid and especially Oliver like a cold shower. "umm also, I forgot to mention... Jerome from the Bigge's is joining you, you haven't forgotten him right?"