10

The wanderer stayed.

Even beyond the delicious food. As he sat with a full belly on his improvised chair, merely a big gardening pot turned upside down, he looked out the small window into the night sky, where the moon shined alone and bright with envy down on the hut.
"So," Nuntius finally said after handing him a mug of herbal tea, "What brings you here?"
"The path"
Nuntius smiled. It was a sad smile.
"Yes, that answer is to be expected. Trust me when I say, it would be wise to leave it. Go find a place you like and stay there. The path is nothing but a collection of empty promises and shattered dreams."
The wanderer felt the warmth from the oven lull around him, almost as if it was trying to put him into a trance.
"Look, I know what you think, and you are right, I am nothing but a hermit. I have no idea what it is like to travel around forever. But this path won't satisfy you."
The wanderer continued to stay silent. Instead, he took a sip of the tea. It was delicious.
Nuntius smile faded. He shook his head and calmly continued.
"Look, do what you want I'm in no position to force you to do anything. I'm merely the messenger."
The hut went back to being silent. Finally, the Wanderer put down his mug and shook himself.
"That was a good tea."
He left in the morning before the sun even had a chance to rise. Soon he heard the familiar screech along to the clanking of his cane and he looked up, only to find Avemortis flying directly above his head along to the clanking of his cane.