“Are you not embarrassed of yourself?” Zijin asked, having been told about the situation. “Adam is a Nephew of the family, with Elder Lykan’s approval, and the Chief vouches for him too. How can you behave this way?”

Adam hadn’t expected that the Elder was going to tell the Iyrmen off, which was equally as embarrassing for him.

“I have always used my own eyes and ears to judge things, Elder Zijin,” Mirot stated. “It will be the same for Adam.”

Elder Zijin rubbed his forehead, wondering what he should do. “Since you have both agreed, I will not suppress the matter, as long as it is completed before Twilight Month.”

“I don’t plan on it taking that long,” Adam said.

“I will be there to officiate the bouts.” Elder Zijin could feel the sourness on his tongue. ‘Even if Adam is strong, to bully him like this, it is unacceptable.’

“How is it that you are always getting yourself into trouble?” Lucy asked. “Now with your family? Are you crazy?”

“What can I say?” Adam shrugged his shoulders, watching as Raool and Tizgak brought back a boar, which was set to be roasted. “Are we having a party?”

“It is gift giving,” Jurot confirmed. “We will eat and drink our fill, and then the four of us will leave.” He held Lanarot’s waist as she sat down on his lap, facing him, staring up at him.

Adam wanted to play with Lanarot too, but he wanted the pair of them to spend more time together before Jurot had to leave. He watched as his sister laughed randomly, and paused, only to laugh again. All the while, Jurot was holding her waist, staring down at her.

“Should I go get a story?” Adam asked. “You could read it to her.” Jurot seemed to have no clue about how to play with a baby.

“Thank you,” Jurot said.

Adam brought him one of the many books which were kept in their home, and Jurot pulled Lanarot to his chest, letting her face the book which he read whilst holding it one hand.

“When are you going to have children?” Vonda asked.

Adam almost coughed from the shock of her question. “Probably after I get married.”

“I think you would make a good father, Adam.”

Adam couldn’t help the smile which painted his face. “Well, I don’t know about that.”

“If you are half as good as a father as you are a brother, then you will be one of the best still.”

“A high compliment, and I appreciate it.”

“Are you worried about tomorrow’s fight?”

“A little,” Adam admitted. “I can’t lose.”

“Will you be able to win?”

“I’ll need to prepare different spells than I’m used to,” Adam said. “It will be difficult, but I should be okay. If I can attack first, I should be fine.”

“What about against Mirot?” Vonda asked. “She is a Rot, and she seemed to hold a greater rage.”

“Yeah.” Adam sighed. “She’s going to be tough.”

“You do not believe you can beat her so easily?” Jarot asked. “You beat Otkan.”

“Otkan held back, and she didn’t have any magical weapons or armour,” Adam said. “How powerful is this Sunder Axe?”

“It is greater than your Phantom in some ways,” Jarot said, smiling towards the young man. “Though you should worry about Kaygak first.”

“Is she strong?”

“I will bet on you, as always,” Jarot said. “Whether you win or lose, it does not matter.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“I will be making one hundred gold tomorrow,” Jarot said, sipping his wine.

The boar was roasted, and the Iyrmen came together to dance and sing. Lucy talked with Strom, speaking about her previous life, with Nobby sitting near them, wondering what she was talking about. Brittany was with Jonn, and the pair were talking with one another about Jonn’s adventures. Fred sat with Vonda, speaking with her about her life.

Adam sipped some wine, before taking Lanarot from Jurot, letting her sleep in his arms as Jarot and Jurot spoke to one another, drinking and eating together.

‘I should really stop fighting with the Iyrmen,’ Adam thought. ‘Even if Mirot and Gorot dislike me, I could probably sway them over eventually.’ He sighed, bringing a hand up to hide his face.

He couldn’t help but think of his family. The thoughts came to him, like a dagger piercing through the chinks in his mental armour. No matter how much he pushed the thoughts away, all he could think about was Christmas in his household.

‘Why am I getting all depressed all the time recently?’ Adam wondered. ‘Is it because it’s winter? Do I need more vitamin d?’

Elder Zijin stared at Adam for a long moment. ‘I cannot send him to the village like that.’

Sonarot eventually took Lanarot from him, letting him mingle with his friends in peace.

“Adam, have you thought more about your plans for the inns?” Dunes asked.

“A little,” Adam admitted. “Though, I’ve been thinking about enchanting weapons mostly. Well, actually, I’ve been thinking about who will be in charge of the business.”

“You won’t?”

“No,” Adam said. “I’ve got a condition.”

“What is it?”

Adam pointed to his ears.

“Oh,” Dunes said.

“To think there is a day that I tell a black man that I’m suffering from racism,” Adam said, shaking his head. “What a time to be alive.”

“Is it a problem I’m black?”

Adam chuckled. “No, no it isn’t…” Adam smiled. “No. It isn’t. Dunes. Are you taken?”

“Taken?” Dunes asked.

“Yeah. Your loyalties, other than to Lady Arya, do you belong to any organisation?”

“No,” he said.

“Then how about it? Do you want to be the face of the inns?”

“Adam, as much as I am a Priest of War, I am also an Aswadian. It would be a bad idea for me to manage inns while Aswadasad and Aldland are at war.”

“Oh, right,” Adam said, grumbling quietly. ‘So who does that leave? Nobby? Brittany? Fred?’ Adam looked to Fred. ‘Fred. Fred. Adventurer who became so depressed that he wanted to die while laying under the sun atop a hill. I still don’t trust him much, but maybe? Or should I put an Iyrman in charge? Or do I make a new persona with an illusion spell?’

Adam’s eyes fell on Sir Vonda. ‘I could also ask Sir Vonda if she decides to stay with us after our quest? She’s nice.’

“You are thinking too much,” Jarot said. “You should spend time with Jurot before he leaves.”

Adam picked up a cup and raised it to Jurot, before sipping back the wine. “Don’t have too much fun without me, you hear?”

“I will not promise such,” Jurot said, sipping back his own wine, wincing at the sourness.

“Lanarot will miss you, so don’t take too long.”

“I will do my best.”

“I was planning on making some weapons over Twilight Month. What am I to do without the best woodcarver I know?”

“Laygak is not so bad.”

Adam chuckled, before patting Jurot against his back. “I didn’t save your life only for you to die during this next month.”

“It will be a good death.”

“Say that when you’re Diamond Rank.”

Jurot nodded his head slowly.

Food was brought out for everyone, and they all shared the roasted boar. There was fruit to be had too, much to Katool’s delight. Adam melted some cheese over his meat, and Turot did the same, melting his special cheese over the meat he was given.

“I will not be able to see your fights,” Jurot said. “You must win, Adam.”

“I’ll do my best,” Adam said. “Though, I am facing against three Iyrmen.”

“You said you were afraid of Iyrmen.”

“Yeah.”

“Then why did you pick a fight with my Aunts and Uncle?”

“I don’t know, honestly,” Adam said. “I was a little annoyed, I guess? I mean, who complains about getting magical weapons?”

“It is not normal.”

“Right?”

“No, Adam. It is not normal to offer children magical weapons.”

“Yes, but Jurot,” Adam said, looking up at his brother. “I’m not normal.”

Jurot nodded his head slowly. “That is true.”

Adam bit into the meat, feeling the melted texture of the cheese, which nearly burnt the roof of his mouth. He inhaled quickly, before using his magic to cool the food slightly, before biting into it again. There was some salt on the meat, and not much more, though the cheese added enough flavour.

Turot was enjoying his cheesy meat, his eyes half open as he slowly chewed, a smile on his face.

“Cousin Adam, help?” Katool asked, holding up the meat with some cheese.

Adam helped her melt it, looking down at her. “Did you have fun today? Did you enjoy your gifts?”

“Yes,” Katool replied. “Lots of gifts. Very nice gifts.”

“Good, good.”

“You make me magic staff?”

“One day, hopefully.”

“You are very strong, Cousin Adam. You win fights?”

“Maybe.”

“Aunt Mirot, Aunt Kaygak, Uncle Gorot.” She reached up with her arms, and flexed them. “Very strong.”

“Stronger than me?”

Katool tilted her head, holding onto her knees as she squinted at him. She hummed in thought. “Yes?”

“Then you will not get a magical staff,” Adam said.

“Okay,” she said. “I will make magic staff.”

“Are you going to be an Enchanter?” Adam asked.

“Yes.”

“Who will teach you?”

Katool hummed in thought again, before pointing at him. “You.”

“Me? Why me?”

“Your enchanting is very good.”

Adam smiled. “Well, maybe you won’t be able to enchant, because I’ll win.”

Katool looked up at him with her brows raised. “You will win?”

“Yes. I will.”

“You are lying?”

“No.”

“Okay,” Katool said, reaching out her hand for her food.

Adam handed it over, though noted that the Elder had began to gather the others. Jurot, Kitool, and Jaygak.

“I should have hung out with you two more,” Adam said, shaking the Iyrmen’s forearms.

“We will see you soon, Adam,” Kitool said.

“Are you going to miss me?” Jaygak asked.

“I’ll miss your horns,” Adam said.

Jaygak laughed, shaking his forearm. “Just wait for us to get back.”

Sonarot brought Lanarot, who had just awoken. “Say goodbye to papa.”

Lanarot looked up at Jurot, her sleepy face staring up at him. Jurot took her and embraced her tight in a hug, which Adam was still rather envious of.

‘How does he do it?’ Adam wondered. ‘He’s so good at hugging.’

“Do not grow up too quickly,” he said to her, before kissing her forehead.

Adam assisted her in helping her kiss him, before taking her from him. “You might miss her first steps and words, but I’ll be sure to be there to tease you about them.” He extended his arm out.

Jurot shook Adam’s forearm. “Be well, Adam.”

“You too, Jurot.”

“Do not enchant,” Jurot warned. “For you may miss our sister’s first steps and words, and when Baktu welcomes me, I will be there to tease you.”

Adam smiled. “Good luck, Jurot.”

Jurot nodded, quickly embracing his mother. As he turned to leave, Adam made the girl wave her hand in goodbye.

Adam watched as Kit’a and Jay’a also left with them. ‘Wait a second. How come they get to go and I don’t?’