Adam hiccuped, sipping away at the peachy alcohol. “You guys ain’t so bad, you know!” “How will I become the Chief when your sister will become the Chief?” Timojin sniffled, drowning himself in alcohol. Amokan was about to reply, only to fall back as he passed out, the cup slipping from his grasp. Shikan sighed, watching the trio as they had bonded over their drinks. ‘Should I delay their departure?’ he thought, wondering what his wife would have done. ‘Darling, come home soon.’ Lojin completely ignored his son, instead sharing a drink with Shikan and Jogak. All three of them were the Seconds of their families, though Shikan was actually meant to be the First of his family, but his wife was far more wild. “We have to let them go freely,” Jogak said, even though it pained for him to say that. “At least your boys will be with Ilyakan.” “She is intelligent and wise,” Shikan admitted. “She might very well become the First of the main branch,” Lojin said. “Hajin should be able to take over as First if she puts in the work.” “Damn it!” Jogak sipped the rest of his wine. “Why did he have to seduce my daughter, that elvish bastard!” “It’s the horns,” the pair replied. “I’ll kill him!” The pair slapped the back of his head, causing him to sober up. “You’ve drunk too much,” Lojin said, picking up the wine bottle and finishing off the rest. “How fortunate you are, to have such a fine enchanter to help your daughter.” “Hey, Citool is also fortunate,” Jogak said. The trio sighed. “Should I ask on behalf of Amokan?” Lojin asked. “No,” Shikan replied. “Ilyakan will be beside him, and that alone should be enough.” Lojin sighed. “Let us hope they return safely, those foolish boys of ours.” “What about my daughter?” Jogak grumbled. “Your daughter was smart enough to join Jurot and Adam,” Shikan reminded the devilkin. “Why is it that the girls of that generation are smarter than the boys?” Lojin grumbled. “They’re so hard to deal with.” “That’s just how the dice rolls sometimes,” Shikan said, sighing. “Citool is so lucky with her daughter,” Jogak said. “She’s so sweet and polite.” The men nodded their heads, sharing more drinks with one another. “I want to be the Chief!” Timojin cried, slamming the floor beside him, finishing the rest of his wine. “If Lanarot doesn’t want to become Chief, you two can keep fighting over it,” Adam said. “Really?” Timojin sniffled. “Sure!” Adam declared. “Lanarot can become whatever she wants!” He raised his cup and drank the rest of it. Constitution Save D20 + 5 = 20 (15) Jurot watched as Adam embarrassed himself in his drunkenness. He sat with his mother, who was knitting a blanket, Kitool, and Jaygak. Citool was spending the night looking after Lanarot. “Isn’t he too strong already?” Jaygak said. “It’s not fair.” “That’s what I’m saying,” Lucy said, sitting behind them all, laying down as she stared at the skies. “Why does he know so much magic when he’s already decent with a sword? That should be my thing! I’m obviously the main character!” “Everyone is the main character of their own story,” Kitool said. “I know, but that’s not fair. It should be me, the future Demon Lord!” Lucy coughed as she almost choked on her drink, having drunk it while laying down. “I just hope he doesn’t do anything too crazy while you all adventure,” Sonarot said. “He’s not like you all. You were all taught some sense, being born in the Iyr, but he’s not from around here.” Jurot glanced towards his mother before looking back at the girls, who noted the look, understanding that the pair knew something they didn’t. “He did say something about challenging the gods, and how he doesn’t want them bothering him in this life,” Jaygak said. “We should wait for him to speak with us,” Kitool said. “There is no need to rush such matters.” Even so, even she couldn’t help but be interested in what Adam had to say. “Please take good care of my boys,” Sonarot said, brushing their hair. “Jurot, make sure you look after these two too.” “Yes, mother,” Jurot said. Sonarot noted him falling into though, which was rare for the boy, and left him alone. Soon the Iyrmen all retired. Shikan checked on the two boys, who were passed out to one side, and Lojin checked on the Demon Lord, who was snoring lightly under the stars. He noted she was just pretending, and she noted that he noted the matter, but Lojin showed her kindness by leaving. Jurot checked on Turot, who was sucking on his thumb as he slept, dreaming the greatest of dreams. The Iyrman then sat up against the wall. Adam wrapped the blanket around himself, but noted Jurot sitting in thought, able to see him with his half elf eyes. ‘I should leave him to his thoughts’ Adam thought, closing his eyes. “Thank you, Adam,” Jurot whispered. “For what?” Adam replied, but he noted Jurot had closed his eyes, refusing to elaborate any further. ‘What did I do?’ Outside, Amokan and Timojin lay under the stars. Amokan had managed to awaken from his drunken stupor, his nap having refreshed him slightly. Timojin grunted quietly. “We won’t be able to become Chief if we’re weaker than him.” “I don’t think he wants to become Chief,” Amokan replied, but he felt the same as Timojin. “You believe him?” “I do,” Amokan admitted. Timojin grunted quietly again. “Even so…” Amokan recalled the feeling of being beaten by Adam. He had a great showing against Jurot, which would be known even if Timojin managed to land the last hit. However, against Adam, he hadn’t done well. “Unrivalled Under the Heavens,” he whispered. Timojin’s lips twitched into a smirk. ‘Unrivalled Under the Heavens.’ Even hearing the phrase, there was a romance within it. Adam didn’t understand what he had done with his boyish, embarrassing outburst. The phrase had quickly engulfed the entirety of the Iyr, and had fuelled the flames within the Iyrmen who had heard it, especially those from the smaller branches. He had left too quickly after being swamped by the children, having recalled what he had said before the fight had begun. Jurot had remained behind to greet his extended family, whereas Sonarot and Lanarot had followed Adam, joining him in exploring the food of the festival. ‘Are you going to kiss?’ Lucy thought, staring at the two handsome Iyrmen as they relaxed under the sky. ‘Come on!’ She urged with her mind, but the pair just lay there. ‘Damn it!’ Omen: 6, 18 Mana: 8 -> 5 Enchanting D20 + 7 = 21 (14) Adam had thought about expending his Omen, but considering that he hadn’t begun work on the staff, he thought he could use the Omen for the staff instead. He would no doubt be swarmed by Iyrmen if he showed himself, so he returned to grab the staff and the gem, before returning to enchant. ‘Wait. My Mana has been reducing too quickly recently…’ He rested first, wondering how angry Sonarot would be. ‘I’ll deal with it in the evening.’ Mana: 5 -> 7 Mana: 7 -> 1 Enchanting D20 + 7 = 12 (5) Omen: 6, 18 -> 6 18 + 7 = 25 Jurot tossed the axe towards the target, but it slipped out of his hand behind him, almost striking his mother and Lanarot, though the woman crossed her arm over the girl as it struck her arm. Jurot stared at her in shock. “Mother!” he gasped, full of shock. “Are you alright, Jurot?” Sonarot asked as a Medicine Man was quickly called to heal her. “Mother, I…” Sonarot pulled him in close. “It’s okay.” She kissed his forehead. “You were deep in thought, weren’t you?” Jurot was red and cold, full of embarrassment. He had been thinking about how he was so much weaker than Adam, that he’d be unable to defeat the half elf if they had fought. It had irked him, and he was itching to leave the Iyr to prove himself. “I’m sorry.” “It’s alright,” Sonarot said, kissing his forehead again. “It’s not like you could have killed me.” “I could have killed Lanarot.” “With me protecting her?” Sonarot raised her brow. “When did you become so cheeky?” She pulled his cheek. It was late in the evening when Adam returned, noting the others were awake. He tried to avoid Sonarot, but his guilty feet marched towards her. He noted the bandage along her arm, wondering what had happened, but he wasn’t going to be rude enough to ask when he was in trouble. “Everyone wanted to speak with you,” she said, tapping the seat beside her, which was covered in a blanket with the Rot family symbol. Lanarot drank from her mother, her eyelids half shut. “I’m sure,” Adam replied, sitting down beside them. “I would have been too embarrassed, though.” Sonarot smiled, brushing his hair. “Did you finish enchanting the sword?” “I did.” “What does it do?” Jaygak asked, leaning in, her eyes beaming with excitement. Bloodseeker (Longsword) You gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this weapon. Deals 2D6 slashing damage. When you reduce a creature to 0, your next hit deals 2D6 slashing damage. Jaygak stared at the sword, noting how the red gem which formed the hilt was more vibrant than before. “This is for me?” she asked, staring at Adam, unsure if she should accept such a great weapon. “Obviously,” Adam replied. ‘It gave me so much XP too.’ Jaygak took the weapon from him, rubbing a hand along the blade. She remained silent, but she heard Kitool clear her throat from beside her. “Thank you.” “I’ll be cashing in that favour one day,” Adam said, smirking at her. “I started your weapon too.” “Thank you,” Kitool replied, bowing her head. “I was really lucky in enchanting today, so I managed to enchant your weapon too, but I’ll need more time.” Kitool just bowed her head. “So what happened to your arm anyway?” Adam asked, staring at the bandages. “Deep thought,” Sonarot said. “Are you okay?” “I am fine.” “Want me to heal you? I still have some Mana.” “It has been dealt with,” she said, brushing his hair. “Alright.” Since she didn’t want to say, he would respect her decision. “Hey, Jurot,” Adam whispered in he night when they were about to sleep. “Yes?” “What happened to aunt’s arm?” Jurot fell silent, and Adam noted the young Iyrman wince. ‘Why won’t anyone tell me?’ Omen: 4, 19 Mana: 8 -> 7 Enchanting D20 + 7 = 10 (3) Omen: 4, 19 -> 4 19 + 7 = 26 (19) Jurot wrestled with another Iyrman, full of frustration. As the Iyrman grabbed around his neck, Jurot tensed his neck, before he managed to wrap himself around the Iyrman’s thigh and he rolled over on top of them, managing to slap out of their headlock, before pinning them under him. He roared like a mighty lion after having won he bout, managing to lose some of the guilt from hurting his mother. Omen: 6, 18 Mana: 8 -> 7 Enchanting D20 + 7 = 25 (18) XP: 1300 -> 800 XP: 800 -> 1400 XP: 1400 -> 1600 Adam had spent the last two days enjoying the quietness of the festival, skipping all the challenges which most people were excited for. He didn’t want to meet with strangers while he was receiving so much attention for his embarrassing fight earlier. When night had come, Adam handed the staff over to Kitool, who thanked him before admiring it. Seekerstaff (Quarterstaff) You gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this weapon. Deals 2D6 bludgeoning damage. Contains 3 charges. Spend 1 charge to mark a target you can see within 30’ of you for 1 hour. You will know the direction of the target for 1 hour. You may only choose one target, and can expend an additional charge to increase the duration by 1 hour. Regains 1d3 charges every dawn. Kitool was surprised to hear how powerful the staff was. After all, it was about as powerful as Jaygak’s blade, though it held a different ability within it. ‘So that is what you expect from me.’ Kitool bowed again, thanking him once again. “Hey, hey,” Adam said, smiling awkwardly. “There’s no need for that between we friends, alright?” “We should speak about our departure,” Jurot said. “Right. When were you planning on leaving?” Adam asked. “Originally, we were to leave tomorrow morning,” Tomorrow morning,” Kitool replied. “Oh, jeez. That’s quick.” “Come on! I want to use my new sword!” Jaygak said, excitedly, rubbing the hilt of her enchanted sword. Adam noted the looked in their eyes, which was eager to leave, but they stared at him. Adam’s eyes fell to the tiny little girl who was sleeping in the cot beside her mother. ‘Why did I spent all this time enchanting? I should have spent it spoiling Lanarot!’ Adam cursed himself. ‘Well, it’s not like I could do much when she’s so young…’ “Alright,” Adam said. “Let’s leave tomorrow morning.” He sighed, thinking about how he should have spent more time enjoying the festival. ‘Next time I duel, I won’t say anything too cringe.’