[1742] – Y07.242 – Training Out Hearts II

Adam spent the first week of the eighth month under the curse of Awakening an Iyrman, and he was gaunt once more, spending the second week resting.

Thankfully the gauntness disappeared rather swiftly, and the colour also returned to his face. However, as he rested at home, the various children came to check up on him.

“Cousin Adam, here,” Gurot called, handing the half elf a picture he had scribbled while in school.

“Gurot! My Gurot!” Adam called, wrapping his arms around the boy, picking him up, though he was weakened by his state, and yet Gurot was almost as light as a feather, although since he was chonky, it was a heavy feather indeed.

“I hope you are well again, cousin Adam, so we can play.”

“I will try to play with you in a few days, when I should be alright,” Adam assured, and as the two hugged one another tightly, the half elf’s heart throbbed once more. ‘You punk! You’re so much bigger now! How can you bully me like this? Do you think I won’t be able to pick you up once I’m recovered?’

“Papa…” Amalrot called, although Gurot also hugged her, brushing her hair gently.

“Are you hungry?” Gurot asked.

Amalrot smiled, and followed her older cousin away, as the boy, when it came to eating, as was responsible as even Kavgak. Perhaps, in this domain, he was even more responsible than Kavgak?

It was then shadows loomed over the Front Iyr.

“Why do you look so terrible?” an older man asked, with long hair, dyed red, with streaks of white. He was clean shaved, with a strong jaw, and a wise, flat nose, and his small eyes were curious, although he knew the answer He was lean, and walked with floating grace, adorned in silk, black with golden thread, and his longsword was a fusion of bone and metal.

“I must carry a great many burdens for the Iyr,” Adam joked, smiling towards the Chief. “What brings you here, Chief?”

“There were many conversations to be had with the Aldish, some within our fort, and some within Red Oak, but it seems we have come to an understanding.”

“What understanding is that?”

“The Iyr shall provide support against the Reavers actively, soon, and in exchange, the Aldish will not war with us.”

“I mean, you could face both the Reavers and the Aldish, so it sounds like a terrible deal?”

“Although it is a terrible deal…” Iromin smiled. “It is my hope you, too, will step out, and cause enough trouble to allow us to slaughter a few of the Aldishmen who pick fights with you.”

“I probably will have to hold back my anger, so I won’t be able to kill them, just so you know.”

“I understand,” Iromin said, bowing his head to the Ray nearby. “I will entrust that matter to your grandfather then.”

“Grandfather, do you hear that?” Adam called, raising his voice.

“The Chief is so wise,” Jarot returned, his arms crossed, his eyes closed, though he peeked open an eye, daring to glare towards the Great Elder.

“Is that how you act towards me after how much favour I have shown to you?” Iromin replied, his voice light, playful.

“I called you wise,” Jarot replied, and he continued to hold the Chief’s gaze with his eyes, and, should the Chief not forget, he possessed both his arms and legs now. Even if the Chief was a Paragon, even if he, too, was wild, he couldn’t forget, Jarot was the Mad Dog, and while he was Drakebane, it was the Mad Dog who had gone to slay Forgryn, the Azure Terror.

“The Chief has favoured me so much too, so that’s why I trust him as much as I trust my own grandfather,” Adam said, doing his best to keep his face neutral, holding his grandfather’s shocked gaze, and then the old man stood, turning red hot, and as he turned to look towards the Chief’s eyes, which were narrowed, and his lips held a small pout, Adam let out a small sigh. “I suppose I trust him a little bit less than my own grandfather?”

“Clean your neck!” Jarot growled.

“If you do not behave, I will send you out with the first company,” the Chief warned.

“Oh? Do you thi-,”

“You would not miss their birthdays, would you?” Iromin asked.

Jarot continued to remain red hot with rage, but it slipped away, since he did not attack. “Would you dare to do so?”

“Have I shown you too much mercy?”

‘Ah,’ Adam thought, realising where he had gotten many of his phrases from now. ‘It seems like the Iyr has really corrupted me.’

“It seems our Jirot is disappointed?”

Jirot flushed lightly, but continued to pout, turning to face her greatmother, who wrapped her red arms around her twins, pulling them close to her bosom. “…”

“It was we, who kept their steel, including their magical steel,” Iromin said. “Since they dared to assault you, I will gift you Death Dog’s sword.”

Jirot turned, her mouth forming a tiny circle of surprise.

“Do you forgive us now?”

“I forgive you!” Jirot said, holding up a thumb towards the Chief. “I always trust you, Chief, always. I always say it, always.”

Chief Iromin smiled, and with that, he motioned towards one of his aides, who brought forward one of the boxes, which was long, and as they opened it, the sword of the Death Dog was revealed to them. Iromin was glad the Countess had made the wise decision of keeping the armour and weapons for the Iyr to claim. After all, Red Oak and the Iyr were rather close, and as good neighbours, they should be rather neighbourly, even if they did have to slaughter some of their soldiers.

The sword was long, slightly curved at the tip, and was forged of fine steel, enchanted with a Greater Enhanced enchantment, the kind that allowed one to strike true a little easier, and, not just that, upon such a strike, they regained their vigour. It was a fine weapon, so the Chief thought, especially for the likes of the Gak family.

“Nano, I gift you this sword, because it is best with you,” Jirot said, holding onto her greatmother’s arm.

“You know of it?”

“Nano, it is I who reads the encyclopaedia to everyone,” Jirot said. “Of course I know!

“Of course!” came the cry.

Gangak smiled. “I will use the sword well, my Jirot.”

Jirot smiled wide. “Nano, did I give you the best gift this year?”

“You did.”

Jirot side eyed her father, whose lips formed a tiny circle in surprise.

‘I can’t believe you’ve done this!’

Jirot knew which miim he was quoting within his mind, smirking wider.

PATREON FOR 30+ CHAPTERS!

Adam is evil for bringing millennial humour to the world.