Omen: 4, 19

Nirot’s plan was to watch after Adam the entire day.

Adam could tell, because she was staring right at him.

Even as he went over to the pups, brushing their fur, feeding them their milk and meat, and running around with them, she was watching him.

He then joined the children in their play, letting the pups rest, though they’d sometimes come and play too, bouncing around.

‘Dire Wolf pups?’ Nirot thought. ‘Has he seduced you too? I will save you from his wickedness.’

“Cousin Nirot is angry?” Katool asked.

“She doesn’t like me,” Adam replied.

Katool stared up at him in shock. “Why?”

“She doesn’t like that I’m an Elf,” Adam said.

“Only half,” Katool stated.

Adam smiled. “That’s right.”

“Why she doesn’t like Elf?”

“I know,” Raygak said. “Elves don’t have horns.”

“So, does that mean Nirot doesn’t like Katool, because Katool doesn’t have horns either.”

Raygak stared at Adam with an incredulous look. “No,” he said, as though it were obvious. “Katool is an Iyrman.”

“So I’m no Iyrman?”

“You are a Nephew of the…” Raygak stopped as the penny dropped. “Nirot should like you. You are a Nephew.”

“Caught on, have you?” Adam teased. “I know she’s meant to like me, but she doesn’t.”

“What did you do?” Raygak asked.

“Do you think I’m naughty like you?”

“I’m not naughty!” Raygak puffed out his cheeks. “I have washed dishes.”

“Raygak good,” Taygak said, nodding her head.

“And you’ve been eating your vegetables too,” Adam said, ruffling Taygak’s hair. She exhaled through her nose angrily, but she seemed happy enough.

“You fight with Nirot?” Katool asked.

“I did yesterday, but I won.”

Katool nodded, as though that were obvious. “You nice now?”

“I try to be nice.”

“Okay,” Katool said, nodding her head again, as though that was the end of it.

Adam aimed for second place that day, letting Raygak win since he had been good recently. ‘I can’t bully him too much.’

“Will you take Lanarot for a walk today?” Sonarot asked.

“Sure,” Adam said, grabbing the contraption which would allow him to carry Sonarot. It was made of sturdy fabric, with a leather bottom. It was like a big nappy with straps attached to it, which he could tie to himself.

It wasn’t long until breakfast was being served, with Lanarot eating some boiled vegetables which had been smashed for her, as well as some meat which had been cooked until it had become soft.

“Why is it that you all like that Half Elf?” Nirot asked the children, who were eating in their own group.

“Cousin Adam,” Taygak said, admonishing Nirot. “He is good.”

“Good?” Nirot asked.

“He plays with us,” Raygak said. “He is good at playing our games, but he does not win every time. Today I beat him.” Raygak puffed out his chest.

“So he lies to make you feel better?” Nirot asked.

“I am very good at the game,” Raygak rebutted.

“Adam make magical weapons,” Katool said. “Very good.” She nodded as she chewed noisily.

“What?” Nirot asked.

“He makes magical weapons,” Raygak said. “He handed my older sister a very strong magical weapon.”

“He give Kitool nice weapon,” Katool added.

“He makes magical weapons and sold them off to your families?” Nirot asked. ‘With the condition of the two families, how could that be?’

“No,” Katool said. “He give.”

“He gave them? For free?”

“Yes,” Raygak said.

“What?” Nirot shook her head. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Raygak said. “He would not let our families pay.”

‘Does someone like that even exist?’

“He made the Priest of Wahtu a magical sword too,” Raygak said. “It is very nice.”

“Very nice,” Kalokan added, nodding her head.

“He made it for the Priest? He is not selling it? Are you certain?”

“He said that it is for Cousin Lanarot,” Raygak said. “So that he does not die.”

“I knew it,” Nirot said. “He is a coward.”

“No he is not,” Raygak said.

“What is he if he is not a coward? Who is afraid of death?”

Damokan frowned, looking down at his food.

Taygak frowned, and pointed at Nirot. “Bad girl.”

Nirot narrowed her eyes at the children. ‘Why did I come to them for information? I should ask Aunt Citool, Uncle Jogak, or Uncle Shikan.’

Once breakfast was done, with his tongue slightly numb, Adam picked the baby up and placed her into the contraption. It allowed her to see ahead of her, but she looked up to see who it was taking her through the Iyr. Once she saw her brother, she smiled and clapped her hands excitedly, before pointing forward.

“Okay, okay” Adam said, allowing her to lead the way. “Remember, no pooping.”

“Booboo,” she replied back as she pointed ahead.

Adam walked around with Lanarot, though there were times when Iyrmen, mostly children, would stop to ask Adam if he was Adam, son of Fate.

“That’s me,” Adam said.

“You fought Otkan?” a child asked.

“That’s right.”

Nirot smiled. If only she had been there to see Adam get beat on by her Grandaunt. ‘I should have returned sooner.’

“Very strong,” the boy said, nodding his head.

“I will be as strong as you,” a girl said.

“One day,” Adam said, nodding his head.

He continued to walk through the Iyr, causing Lanarot to bounce in the contraption as she continued to point.

“Hold on,” Adam said, walking over towards a familiar face. “Good afternoon, Argon,” Adam said, shaking the Iyrman’s forearm.

“Adam, son of Fate,” Argon said, shaking the Half Elf’s forearm.

Lanarot looked up at the Iyrman, noting that he was tattooed, but she did not recognise him. She squirmed, placing her cheek against Adam’s chest, trying to hide herself.

“Why are you acting all shy for?” Adam asked, brushing her hair. “Do you know who this is? He has helped big brother a lot. It was his brother who helped your mother too, so don’t be a stranger.” He pinched her cheek and jiggled it.

Lanarot groaned, until Adam slipped a finger into her mouth so she could suck on it and calm down.

“I have heard much about you,” Argon said. “Thank you for the Dragon scales.”

“No need for thanks, Argon. Don’t you act like a stranger now.” Adam chuckled.

“I have heard about your bout with Otkan. I did not expect you to win, but it is not that surprising.”

“Am I becoming predictable?” Adam asked, shaking his head.

Nirot stared at the Half Elf’s back. ‘He won?’

“I wish I could have seen it,” the Iyrman said. “Perhaps we can spar.”

“No thanks,” Adam said. “I’m done with sparring powerful Iyrmen.”

Argon raised his brows. “Am I so powerful?”

“Do you hear that, Lanababy? He thinks just because he guided me to the Iyr once, he can now start bullying me as he pleases.” Adam pushed Lanarot’s cheeks together, making her speak. “Bad, bad Argon.”

Argon shook his head. “Even now, I am not used to how you think.”

“That’s my secret, Argon. I never think.” Adam blinked. “Don’t let Aunt hear you say that, because she’ll tease me.”

“After seeing you today, I think I made the right decision back then,” Argon said.

“What was the decision?”

“There was a moment I was going to kill you,” Argon said.

“You what?” Adam asked.

‘What?’ Nirot thought, watching from nearby. ‘He almost killed Adam?’

“It was after Balrog,” Argon said. “I thought you were a mad dog who needed to be put down. Fortunately, Tazwyn was there to guide me, as she has always done.”

Adam stared at Argon. “You aren’t joking, are you?”

“No,” Argon said.

“I didn’t even realise.”

Argon nodded.

“I’ll need to thank Tazwyn.”

Argon tickled Lanarot’s chin. “I have heard that you adore her deeply.”

“Of course I do,” Adam replied. “She’s my little sister.”

“Do you say it often because you do not believe it?” Argon asked.

“I say it often because it’s true,” Adam said. Still, his words had struck a nerve within him, something which Adam quickly shook off.

“No one can deny that, Adam,” Argon said, patting the Half Elf’s shoulder. “If you are in need, you may always come to me.”

“Likewise, Argon.”

Adam continued on his walk, noting all kinds of Iyrmen around. Most of them seemed to recognise him, throwing him a nod, mentioning one of his many titles, some of which the Iyrmen had made for him, like Dragon Slayer and Lucky Boy.

Nirot wondered just how many Iyrmen knew of the Half Elf, and why he was called Dragon Slayer. ‘He killed a Dragon? How can that be? He defeated Grandaunt?’ Nirot’s brain was beginning to cry at how deeply she was thinking.

Once Lanaarot started to yawn, Adam made his way back, eventually placing her down to nap. He lay down beside her, placing his finger in her open hand, letting her hold it as she napped.

“Aunt, did he really beat Grandaunt? Did he really slay a Dragon?” Nirot asked.

Sonarot smiled. “When Jurot returns, you will hear of it then.”

Nirot frowned, but understood that there was no need to spoil the story so soon. “I hope cousin Jurot returns soon.”

“Me too,” Sonarot said, brushing her hair. “He will enjoy hearing your tales, and I am certain you will enjoy his.”

“Aunt, did he really give away magical weapons to my Cousins?” Nirot asked.

“He did.”

“Why?”

“So they could help him return back home safely.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Does that mean they are members of his party?” Nirot asked.

“Yes.”

“Does he want to seduce them so he can marry into the Iyr?”

“He has refused several times to marry into our family,” Sonarot said.

Nirot stared up at her. “What? Why?”

“Father wanted to marry him to Cirot and Sirot, but he did not wish for it.”

“Why not?” Nirot’s nostrils flared.

“It may be because he has someone else in mind. There is a Demon and a Dragon.”

Nirot shook her head. Did the blow from yesterday still affect her even today?

Sonarot smiled.

Later that evening, Sonarot sat in her chair, knitting as she hummed to herself.

Adam eventually lay with Lanarot under the stars, both gazing at the stars and at Lanarot’s face as she stared up to see all the stars and colours shifting about above them, slowly growing tired.

Nirot remained nearby, staring at the Half Elf. ‘Who are you, Adam?’