Adam stared at the sword, running his finger along it. There were faint runes with gold and gem dust stuck to them. ‘Beautiful,’ he thought. “I want a sword made from Red Oak.” He looked to Jurot and smiled. “Jurot, do you want to carve Red Oak?”

“Yes, but it is difficult to get,” Jurot said.

“How difficult?” Adam asked, before glancing up at the Knight.

“Every citizen of Red Oak is given a small amount of Red Oak when they are born, and they may save up to buy more. However, those who are not citizens of the town and wish to acquire Red Oak must do something of note.”

“Like what?”

“There are some who are able to procure Red Oak after they participate in the Beast Wave. They must not just participate, but they must be outstanding in their defence of the town.”

“Well, that does make sense,” Adam said. “Though the Beast Wave was only a few months ago. Is there another way?”

“It’s the easiest way,” Sir Merrick said. “You can also donate a large amount of gold to the town, which would allow you to bid on Red Oak which is to be auctioned off.”

“Private auctions?” Adam frowned. ‘Damn. That’d make it pretty expensive…’

“They aren’t that private. You may join, but you can’t bid on certain phases of the auction, which is when the Red Oak usually appears.”

“So, how much gold do I need to donate in order to bid on the Red Oak?” Adam asked.

“A thousand gold.”

“Sheesh,” Adam said, blinking wildly at him. “That’s a lot of money.”

“Perhaps,” he said. “A thousand gold may be a lot of money to Copper Rank Adventurers, but what is it for the Countess of a town of so many hundred thousands of people?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Adam replied. “What about…” Adam stopped, realising he was about to give away one of his greatest secrets. Well, it wasn’t much of a secret considering all the Iyrmen knew, and so did Paul. Adam shrugged his shoulders. “I’ll have to think about it.”

Adam returned the blade eventually, sighing. ‘I wish I could have cast Identify.’

“Your blade has quite a powerful enchantment,” Sir Merrick said. “It would be no understatement to say it would be good enough for the Oakguard.”

“No way,” Adam replied. “Not even the weakest Oakguard would use such an awful weapon.” Adam chuckled.

“I would,” Sir Merrick said. “Even if I am the most inexperienced member, this blade is brilliantly made and enchanted. What does it do exactly?”

"I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours,” Adam replied with a smirk.

"This has a greater enchantment on the blade, and can be used as a spell focus. Not just that, I can use the spell Shield multiple times a day, as well as Short Step."

"That's pretty cool," Adam said.

“It is,” Sir Merrick replied. “What about your weapon?”

"My sword has a lesser enchantment in comparison, but can hit twice as hard than a typical blade, though most of it is divine power.”

Sir Merrick raised his brows in surprise. “Such an enchantment is not to be taken lightly.”

He smiled. “When I am wounded, the blade grows stronger to compensate.”

“If you did not wish to tell me what your blade did, you had no need to make things up.”

“Oh? Are you calling me a liar? Or are you saying that a blade in the Iyr is unable to reach such potential?” Adam asked, keeping his words true, though he wasn’t willing to give out the whole truth.

“I would not dare say such a thing,” Sir Merrick said. “The Iyr and Red Oak have always had a special relationship, and there is much respect we give to the Iyr and its peoples.”

“People,” Aizaban and Lanban corrected.

Sir Merrick nodded. “I was just wondering why the Iyr would give you such a great weapon.”

"I'm special,” Adam replied. “If you don't believe me, why don't you test it out?" Adam held out the blade.

"Should you be willing to part with your weapon so easily?” Sir Merrick asked.

"It's not like you're going to steal it from me. If you do, I'll just ask the Iyrmen to beat you up." Adam smiled.

Sir Merrick almost choked. “Excuse me? Steal your weapon? What are you saying?" He hadn’t expected someone to so brazenly try to shame him.

Adam frowned. "Sheesh, you're no fun." He held out his blade. "First you call me a liar, then you get all mad when I joke about you stealing from me. Just because I'm a Half Elf, doesn't mean you can behave that way, Sir Merrick."

"It's not that you're a half elf..."

Adam glanced away. "I am disappointed. Here I though that the people of Red Oak were so welcoming, but I suppose it's only the Vice Master who is so welcoming. Though the Iyrmen are welcoming too, and since the Vice Master is married to an Iyrman then..." Adam rubbed his chin. "I should just stick with the Iyrmen."

"I meant no offence,” Sir Merrick said, sighing. “It would be my honour to test out your blade during a break.”

"Sure." Adam smirked. “It would be your honour, wouldn’t it?” Adam hummed joyfully to himself.

It didn’t take long for them to break, as the journey was long and hard, and required them to stop often. Sir Merrick cut the air with Lightsear, feeling its great power. He aimed for the log nearby, cutting into it with ease. ‘Not even my blade could cut with such ease…’

He continued to swing the blade, the Iyrmen throwing glances his way, noting his style of sword play. Jurot wasn’t quite as bothered, since he did not use a sword, but Jaygak stared, glued to his motions. Aizaban and Lanban both threw casual glances, though they were memorising it.

“I can't confirm the other effects of this blade, but I do not believe you are lying,” Sir Merrick admitted.

"Right,” Adam replied. “The Iyr isn't exactly weak. It's been a few years since the Kingdom last fought it, but you should never forget who it was that formed this Kingdom with their blood."

Sir Merrick stared at the Half Elf, wondering why he was so eager to provoke him.

Adam smirked, happy to flaunt the Iyrmen's strength. "They have many stories they tell within the Iyr, and they're all quite fun to listen to. You learn a lot about people through them. I wonder if there are any stories about the Oakguard."

"There are a few," Jurot said. "There's Gerald the Oak, who slew Green Ent. Lady Redoak's blade and shield is made from the remains of the being.”

“Speaking of Awakened Trees,” Sir Harvey butt in. “We should be careful in this forest. We'll be heading deeper within the forest, and it will take us a few days before we get to Deadwood."

"Deadwood?” Adam asked. “Damn. These names all sound so cool…”

As they trekked through the forest, Sir Harvey would stop to collect samples, sometimes snipping away a small part of a plant or tree, before slipping it into one of his many pouches which hung from his belt. Twigs went in one pouch, leaves in another, each having their own unique pouch.

Adam watched as Sir Harvey put one particularly long twig the High Alchemist had found into a pouch, but it was impossibly long. He blinked. ‘A Pouch of Holding?’

As they continued, Aizaban glanced up, her ears twitching, before she circled around towards the left. Paul followed her, placing his hand onto his sword, ready to draw it. The other Iyrman had circled around to the opposite side, bringing up the new rear.

“What’s wrong?” Adam whispered, having donned his shield. The other members of Fate’s Golden had readied themselves too.

“Bearkin,” Aizaban said. “They have spotted us.”

“Bearkin?” Adam asked, glancing over towards where she had been looking.

Perception Check

D20 + 3 = 22 (19)

There, in the distance, he spotted four figures. They were large, larger than any Iyrman he had ever seen, and wide. They had noticed the strangers in their forest, but they did not step forward, instead remaining in the distance.

Aizaban shouted in Iyrspeech. “We are passing by, Bearkin. There is no need for blood today.”

Sir Harvey looked to Vice Master Paul, who kept his eyes on the figures in the distance. Sir Merrick stood beside the High Alchemist, sword yet to be drawn.

“Come,” Aizaban said, moving forward, leading them now. Lanban took his position behind the group, as he had done, whereas Vice Master Paul and Sir Merrick both flanked either side of Sir Harvey.

“Bearkin?” Adam whispered to Jurot.

“People who look like bears,” Jurot replied.

“People?” Sir Merrick said. “That word is reserved for the like of us, not those beasts. We should be careful. It’s been some time that they dared to step so close to town. We should send word once we are in Deadwood.”

Jurot didn’t respond back to the Knight’s words.

“Are they strong?” Adam asked.

Jurot nodded. “Some can turn between man and bear.”

“Werebears?” Adam whispered.

Jurot nodded slowly.

“Damn. We should be careful, or we might end up turning into Werebears ourselves.”

“We would most likely die if we are cursed,” Jurot said.

“They’ll most likely die if they try to attack us in the presence of such great Iyrmen,” Adam said.

Jurot’s lips barely twitched into a smile, but Jaygak couldn’t help herself. “Adam, sometimes you say things which are just plain true.” She pat his back and laughed.

“Have I ever lied before?” Adam asked.

“Other than your jokes? I can’t be for certain,” Jaygak admitted.

“You are an enigma,” Kitool said. “Though we should concentrate on our surroundings rather than speaking of such light matters.”

By evening they came across a small camp, one that was often used by Adventurers. Aizaban and Lanban went about, scanning the camp, checking the various stone half walls, and the floor, before they nodded, allowing the others to claim their own places.

Spell: Tricks

Adam cleaned himself up before he pulled out his blanket, which held the Rot family design. Aizaban and Lanban noted the symbols, but kept to themselves. He wrapped it around himself, smelling the scent of the Rot family. It smelt just like their family home, which he had only just realised he missed.

“How are we doing watches?” he asked.

“Four watches, one of the more experienced members can take watch with one of your Fate’s Golden,” Paul said.

“Are you saying we’re not that experienced?” Adam said, squinting his eyes.

“Yes,” Paul said. “I am.”

“You guys are no fun,” Adam said. “I can’t even joke around.”

“Joke around?” Paul asked. “In a forest which could kill us?”

“If it kills any of you, I’d be worried, but until then, I won’t think twice about making jokes. You guys are too stiff. Look, the Iyrmen are really relaxed, so you should relax too. It’s when the Iyrmen are not relaxed that we should be worried.”

“The Nephew speaks true,” Aizaban said, slapping her husband across his back eagerly. “Stop worrying so much! Do you think I’d allow anyone to harm you when I’m beside you.”

Paul coughed into his fist. “Really, you’re going to say that kind of thing out here?”

“Sir Merrick knows to pretend not to listen!” Aizaban declared.

Lanban rubbed his forehead. ‘I told them I should not have come along.’ He already knew the trouble that Aizaban was going to cause.

“Enough,” Paul said, trying to put his foot down. “I think I of all people understand just how safe we are.”

Aizaban just laughed, before throwing a glance to Lanban, and the pair slipped away to go hunt, taking Jurot with them.

Adam sighed, looking to Dunes, who was staring into the fire which had been lit. “Are you alright?”

“Yes,” Dunes said.

“You’re awfully sombre.”

“I’m thinking,” he said.

“Of what?”

Dunes smiled. “An old friend.”

“Friend, huh?” Adam said, scooting up beside him. “What kind of friend.”

“The kind you hold at night.”

“That kind of friend,” Adam said, smirking.

“What about you?” Dunes asked. “Jurot has Pam, and I have my friend. Who do you have?”

Adam noted how quickly Dunes changed the conversation, and he followed the War Priest’s pace. He was about to speak when he saw Jaygak lean in towards them, one eye shut, the other staring directly at them.

“Well, there is a pretty devilkin Iyrman I have my eye on, but you keep that between you and me.” Adam chuckled.

Dunes smiled. “There will be a day you will stop joking.”

Adam rolled his eyes. “I don’t have time for romance, but I do have bromance.”

“Bromance? I did not realise you and Jurot were like that. I know that Iyrmen sometimes grow close during their travels together.”

Adam blinked. “You what? No, not like that. Bromance is strictly about two bros with close emotional intimacy, but not, you know, that kind of thing.” He paused. “I think it can be more, but that’s not that way I mean it.”

Dunes nodded his head slowly. “I understand, Adam.” He placed a hand on Adam’s shoulder.

Adam stared into Dunes’ eyes.

Insight

D20 + 1 = 13 (12)

“Do you?”

Dunes smiled.