A Call For Adventure : An unexpected beginning

Chapter 3- A Traveller In White

Slightly disheartened Adam turned away "that is unfortunate but I cannot change your mind I see , well I wish you the best in all your endeavours and I hope that you might decide to attend the festival" he glanced back at his friend "you know where to find me if you do" and off he went continuing down the path with a spring in his step and a smile plastered across his face as he usually did . N sat there for a moment filled with joy as he had all but forgotten what it was like just to have a conversation with a friend . However this moment was short lived as it was disturbed with the yelling of royal guards "Hey you halt , your presence is required at the castle immediately by the lord himself" . 

N stared at the guards almost instantly after hearing them before letting out a little giggle "I don't know what might be funny in this situation boy". N finally stopped his laughing and he replied  "oh nothing much it's just how I do not know how you'll catch me" as he got up and with all of his might he began to run off "after him!" yelled the guards but by the time they had finally got out their sentence N had already left their line of sight . Dashing down the winding city streets , around corners and bends until he reached the small river that flows around Aland . He paused for a second to regain his breath when he peered at the riverbank only to see there at the edge an old man with hair that ran down his back concealed in a white robe holding nothing but a wooden staff . The boy was confused as he had seen everybody who lived there at least once but not this man , something strange was going on for it felt as if he had even though he could see him there clear as day it was almost like he wasn't there at all . "Hello" gasped N still worn out from running so fast . The stranger then turned towards him , his eyes glowed a brilliant shade of green and in a deep voice he responded "so it was you who has summoned me here".

Puzzled N made eye contact with the old man not truly understanding who he was or what he was talking about "I think you have me mistaken for another person" commented N as he slowly walked over to him at the riverside . The stranger began "you seem so sure for somebody who knows very little about himself" , now slightly annoyed N pressed his finger up against the mans chest in an aggressive manner "now I don't know who you think I am but I know for a fact that I have summoned for nobody!" . Suddenly the old man pushed N into the dark depths of the river just in time as royal guards came dashing down the corners only to find the old man sitting calmly as he spoke "is it not a lovely day we are having gentlemen". Visibly angered the guards forced themselves to respond "I guess you're right sir by the way have you a boy with black hair with ripped and dirty clothes pass through this way as we are currently searching for him" . The stranger gave the two men a smile only to reply with "well I'm very sorry but I haven't got any idea who you might be talking about but I'll make sure to keep a look out for this boy" , " well thank you for your contribution sir we hope you have a great day" affirmed the two guards as they walked off . Inside of the lake N had finally came to his senses and was about to make his ascension to the surface but not before something had caught his eye , between all the seaweed and sand at the bottom of the lake sat a glowing orb . It shone a vibrant blue that pierced through the murky water like lightning sailing across a clear sky . Intrigued N swam closer , he reached out his hand to grab the orb however when he touched it there was a flash of light and with that it had disappeared leaving nothing but a circular mark on N's hand . Seething in pain N struggled to the riverbank expecting to confront the stranger only to find the area to be empty except for a note on the grass that read out "If you would wish for an elaboration on my previous comment then I would advise you to travel to the Drunken Goblet Inn I trust you know where that is" 

Puzzled at the words of the stranger and the note in front of him N was at a loss , he knew that if he wanted things could go back to normal . Back to seeing his friends , Back to living in this city he had grown fond of but then a thought came to him as he realised that what the man had said was true , he barely knew who he was nor did he know  who or where any of his real family was . Right there on that river side as the sun was setting behind him , he decided to take up the strangers offer . Now with his first bit of motivation in a while N was left with only one problem , what to do about the three children , as he did not yet know if it was truly safe to attend and in case he was not to return he wanted to make sure that they would still be taken care of . So he was left with no other option than this , to do something he never intended on  going through with out of sheer embarrassment . He was going to ask a favour of Mr Barber .