Omen: 1, 17

The entire group had gathered together, from Adam to Bavin. Adam glanced between them all, realising just how large the group had become. There were far too many for him to command effectively.

“Dunes, Sir Vonda, you two will be the captains of the second and third groups,” Adam said.

Dunes and Vonda both glanced between one another in surprise. They had expected Adam to split the groups, but they hadn’t expected either of them were going to be the captains of the group.

“Us?” Vonda asked.

“You’re Priests, so everyone will respect you,” Adam said, though that wasn’t why he had chosen them. He placed down six diamonds before them, three for each Priest.

“Adam!” Vonda said, surprised. The diamonds totalled almost two thousand gold coins, something the Priests couldn’t accept.

“Our goal is to survive first and foremost,” Adam said, before his eyes fell across all the Iyrmen. “I will not have any of you die before me, not until I’m done with you all.”

“We are Iyrmen,” Nirot said, narrowing her eyes at Adam. Iyrmen were not afraid of death, and such words were disrespectful.

“Iyrmen within my employ,” Adam corrected. “You will listen or you will remain here. You know the rules.”

Nirot frowned, but she nodded her head slowly. She had agreed to Adam previously, but she wanted to make sure he understood the gravity of what he was saying.

“Kitool and Jaygak, you’ll both be in charge of the purses,” Adam said. “Jaygak, I hope you understand that I don’t do this lightly.”

“Again?” Jaygak said, smiling at him. “Is it because of my horns?”

Adam threw her a look, and wondered if he should change who was in command of the purse. ‘No. As much as she is a bit of a troll, she knows that it’s important.’

“We’re a large group so chances are we’ll be a little slower than normal, though I assume we’ll be much safer too, considering…” Adam made a vague motion with his head towards the Experts and Iyrmen. “We should really look into buying a cart or carriage or something to carry our stuff. We have Zeus, but…” Adam paused, furrowing his brows.

Everyone knew the look on his face, for it was the look of Adam realising something extremely obvious. It was something which always surprised them since half of Adam’s day was spent with Lanarot, and the other half was thinking deeply.

“We have a bunch of wolves, don’t we?” Adam asked, looking to Jaygak and Kitool. “Can’t we take them, now that the Beast Wave is behind us?”

“They must remain outside the town, but an Awakened Wolf and two Direwolves, there is very little which would threaten them,” Kitool said.

“Right, right,” Adam said, nodding his head. “Then we should…” He paused again. He made the same look on his face. ‘Why didn’t I make any Find Steed spell scrolls?’ He reached up to rub his face, shaking his head.

“What is the matter?” Vonda asked.

“I’m an idiot,” Adam said.

“Yes,” Lucy agreed.

Adam shook his head slowly. ‘Just you wait, you damn Demon!’ “Anyway. We should probably order a saddle for the wolves at some point, though for now they can just assist us by carrying us or by scouting around.”

“Good idea,” Jaygak said, nodding her head.

The group gathered their supplies, with Adam checking up on the wolves. He blinked at them, staring at Sky and the pair, Kit’a and Jay’a. Kitool and Jaygak had also come with him.

“What have you done?” Adam asked.

Sky fell down before him, revealing his stomach, trying to reveal his submissiveness.

“Sky! You…” Adam turned to face Kitool and Jaygak. “Damn it.”

“We were not informed either,” Kitool said, which was a surprise. Something like this would have definitely come to them, but it seemed the Iyr had been too busy to mention something as small as this. ‘Hmm.’

Jaygak exchanged a look with Kitool, understanding that this was not the norm. ‘What is going on?’

‘Should I neuter him?’ Adam thought, before sighing. “Sky, you’re coming with us.”

“Okay, boss,” Sky replied, nuzzling against Adam’s leg.

Adam brought Sky with him back to the shared family estate, where the children swarmed him. Adam brought Lanarot to him. “Look at the bad wolf. What a bad boy, ruining our plans.”

Sky whined and dropped down before them. Lanarot cackled and reached down to slap his head gently, before brushing his fur.

“Lanababy, we’re going to be leaving soon, so you need to be a good girl for mama, okay?”

“Mama,” the girl replied, looking to her mother.

“That’s right.” Adam smiled, resting his head against hers. “Papa and papa have to go.”

Lanarot jerked away from him, staring at Adam in shock. She leaned in to hug him tight, sucking against her thumb.

“Lanababy, we can’t stay for too long, otherwise we’ll become useless,” Adam cooed, brushing her hair. He showered her in kisses, before handing her to Jurot, making sure he gave his sister plenty of affection too. Once more he hugged Lanarot well, causing her to almost fall asleep in his arms.

‘Damn it. I should have learned how to hug her before we left.’ Adam sighed, looking at the rest of the children. “You all need to be good too. Just because you’re big boys and girls now, doesn’t mean you can be mean to your mummies and daddies.”

“Okay,” the children replied emphatically.

“Taygak,” Adam said.

“Cousin Adam,” the girl replied, standing tall.

“You have to guide them as the oldest.”

“Taygak guide,” the girl confirmed.

“I trust you,” Adam said, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You are strong, smart, and wise.”

“Yes,” the girl confirmed once more.

Adam smiled. “Of course, the rest of you are so nice, so I know that Taygak won’t have to work hard.”

“Yes!” the children replied.

As goodbyes were given, the teens also saying goodbye to their parents, they began to make their way out. Lanarot coughed into a cry, reaching up for her brothers, sensing they would be gone for some time.

“You silly girl, why are you crying?” Adam asked, picking her up once more. “Don’t worry, we’ll be back before you know it. You can’t grow up too quick, though. Make sure you’re small and cute and chubby forever.” Adam kissed her nose. “Jurot, hug her again.”

Lanarot squirmed, but soon relaxed within Jurot’s grip. She sucked on her thumb, looking towards Adam. After a short while, Jurot handed the girl over to his mother, who began to cry once more when she watched the group leave.

“Bye bye,” Adam called, waving back at the girl.

Sonarot helped her daughter to wave back, all the while the girl cried, shrieking after them. Adam’s heart ached as the group made their way out. The other children followed them to the large main gate. The gate was large, imposing, and was a source of security within the Iyr.

Deep in Adam’s heart, he hoped never to leave the Iyr, which was such a wonderful place. However, he knew there was work to be done.

Jurot’s own heart was pounding hard, but he kept that a secret from everyone. His heart was full of darkness, and each step grew slightly heavier. Why leave the comfort of the Iyr? There was no need to leave the Iyr. No need to leave his mother. No need to leave his sister.

However, Jurot had been born within the Iyr, and such darkness, which kept encroaching upon his heart, was fought away. It required some effort, but Jurot was not going to give into it easily.

The large gates were quickly opened by the might of dozens of Iyrmen, and the path ahead revealed itself. The group began to march out, and Adam decided against looking back. His heart couldn’t handle it.

“Come home safely!” came the chorus, as it always did. Not just the children who were seeing off their siblings and cousins, but also the nearby children who had watched their Iyrmen and others.

“What a bunch of cute kids, huh?” Adam said once they had walked away.

“They’re scary,” Lucy said, wondering which one of them would grow up to kill her.

“Adorably scary,” Adam confirmed.

The Front Iyr was abuzz with activity, still with far too many Iyrmen. Adam wasn’t used to seeing the Front Iyr being so… big.

“You are leaving?” Morkarai asked, taking a break from his smithing. He had heard that Adam’s group was leaving today, so made time to meet with them.

“Yep,” Adam replied, simply. “We’ve got tons of important business to deal with.”

“I wish you the best of luck,” he said, offering the group a wineskin. “Firewine.”

Jaygak stepped up beside Adam and motioned with her head towards the wineskin. ‘Hurry up and take it!’

“I didn’t bring you a gift,” Adam said.

“Perhaps you can bring me a trinket on your return?” Morkarai asked. It wasn’t for any nefarious reason, though the trinket could be useful in scrying upon Adam in the future.

“Sure.”

“Don’t be gone for too long,” Strom called, appearing from nowhere. However, the Iyrman’s keen ears were able to pick up his steps.

“Obviously,” Adam replied, smiling at the old man. “My darling sister is going to miss me if I’m gone for too long. We should be back before the end of the year, though I make no promises. We might do a scan around the capitals, and I don’t know how long that’ll take.”

“You won’t return for my death?”

Adam frowned. “Why do you have to make it so awkward?”

Strom smiled. “You should return before Twilight Month.”

“Alright, alright” Adam replied, sighing. “The rest can probably move without me, anyhow. I’ll bring the teens back to enjoy the Twilight Month, and the rest of you guys can continue exploring without me for a bit.”

“We can discuss it on our journey,” Kitool said.

“Are you going to miss me?” Adam asked, raising his brows at Strom, a smirk on his lips.

“I may,” he admitted.

“Make sure you take good care of my sister. She likes you so you can’t go dying to some random guy before I return, alright?”

Strom smiled. “I will try my best, Adam.”