Omen: 1, 17

Adam wasn’t sure how to approach the topic of returning back to the Iyr. There was a cold spectre which loomed over him, slowly pressuring him. The spectre was not due to the topic, but because of what had happened not long ago. Adam had just brought the pair of Demons together, but now that there were two Demons, wouldn’t things become more awkward? He didn’t want to see one of them die having only just met one another.

The group ate breakfast together, a large amount of meat and fruit provided by the forest. It was the only real forest within a day’s walk, but it was far more bountiful than any of its size.

“The magics within the forest provide enough food for we Iyrmen,” Wujyn said. “We have our small fields, which provide us plenty of food. Every day we can harvest enough food for most of us, and Lord Ivory provides us with beasts and fruit.”

“Cool,” Adam replied. He wondered how many people the forest could sustain, and wondered just how far its magics reached.

“The forest is expanding, and will soon stretch from sea to sea,” Wujyn said, drawing a simple map on either side. “The strait between Aldland and Aswadasad splits the land, and the Awakened Forest will soon swallow the land up until the walls.”

“That doesn’t sound good,” Adam said. “If the forest takes all this land, won’t the Aldish take issue with it?”

“It will be best for Lord Ivory to surrender the forest to the north, and allow a road to be built from the straight to South Fort. The adventurer capital within the region is Silver Belt,” Wujyn said, tapping the strait. “Aswadasad’s side is a prosperous city, one which is ruled by the adventurers who retired there many years ago. It had been built over the last few centuries.”

“Does Aldland not have a city there?”

“The land between South Fort and the strait is known to be cursed,” Wujyn explained. “Silver Belt is firmly under the grip of the various guilds which operate within it, and they provide Aswadasad enough trouble, so Aldland does not deal with it. It is a well known neutral city, and it has allowed the pair to remain the status quo. None truly claim the land from the strait upwards, for neither Aswadasad nor Aldland could claim it.”

“So the Awakened Forest complicates that?”

“Yes.”

“Hmmm.” Adam rubbed his chin, staring at the drawing. “So what happens after ten years?”

“Lord Ivory must think of a way to please both Aldland and Aswadasad, though Aswadasad is currently working through a rebellion.”

Adam looked up at Wujyn, surprised for a moment, but he had recalled something had happened earlier in the year. “What happened?”

“It is believed the Shen has overextended his power and had been taken by tyranny. He increased his strength to pressure his political opponents, and had ordered the assassination of the Faro’s son.”

“What’s a Faro?” Adam asked.

“They would be considered a Duke within Aldland.”

Adam whistled. “Damn. Why did he do that?”

“There are many reasons as to why he could have done such a thing, if he truly did.”

“What do you think?”

“I think it is a shame that the country has fallen to a civil war at this time,” Wujyn said. “Aldland has offered two years of peace from their previous war.”

“So, if Aldland had any honour, they have two years to sort out their issues?” Adam asked.

Wujyn bowed her head. “If Aldland joins the war, then Western Aswadasad will no doubt lose the war.”

“Whose side is that?”

“The Shen’s.”

“Ah.”

Wujyn stared at the earth, creating a long, crude shape which represented Aswadasad. “It would be difficult for either side to win so quickly. Aswadasad may break into two.” The Iyr assumed that would be the case, though it was one of many scenarios. “The general borders would not change much.”

“What’s the Iyr’s hope?”

“The Faro holds little love for the Iyr, but he would not try to aggravate we Iyrmen. The Shen holds a greater respect for we Iyrmen, but he has fallen out of favour for the matter with the Awakened Forest and the war which he had lost.” Wujyn continued to doodle on the earth.

“We Iyrmen hope the Shen remains in power, with the control of most of Western and Northern Aswadasad. He, who controls Central Aswadasad, will surely hold his seat. The Shen has too many allies, and there are too many enemies for the Faro to deal with on the way to the Shen. However, if Aldland joins the war, it is a different matter.”

“Will the Iyrmen fight against Aswadasad?” Adam stared up at Wujyn, interested in the matters of the Iyrmen.

“We will send a hundred Iyrmen, as we have promised, but they will be under the command of Elder Wrath. The Iyrmen have not forgotten what had occurred at the massacre.” Wujyn wasn’t sure what would happen, however, as there were signs the Iyr would not eagerly step out of its borders soon.

“Has the issue spilled over to the nearby lands here?”

“No. The armies have gathered and there have been skirmishes already, but they have started hundreds of miles away. South Aswadasad has joined with the Faro’s East Aswadasad. The Shen has summoned soldiers to head towards the forests north, which is the weakest link within his borders. It is the forests to the north which will define the borders of the new states which arise, and that is where most of the fighting will take place for some time.”

“Do you hope Aldland stays out of the war?”

“Yes.”

“What do you think?” Adam asked. “Will they?”

“It is doubtful they will remain away.”

“Well, I hope it doesn’t come up to here. Otherwise it’ll be troublesome for you all, right?”

“Yes. Aldland may use it as an excuse to use this land as an outpost.”

“Well, damn.” Adam wondered how the Iyrmen were going to navigate that situation. ‘What if they ask adventurers to go to war too? Damn. Why do I have to deal with all these politics? If they have the audacity to ask me to go to war…’

“Adam?” Lucy called, breaking Adam out of his thoughts. She motioned with her head, and Adam followed her to one side. “Would you give Mara some of your Mana?”

“Sure,” Adam replied, not thinking twice. He had given Lucy enough to help her regain her strength the year before. “Is she okay?”

“She’s Mara,” Lucy replied back, simply.

“Right.” Adam narrowed his eyes, unsure of what that meant. “Are you okay?”

“I’m… fine.” Lucy turned quickly and left, not wanting to talk more about it.

Adam let her go, not wanting to pry further. He assisted Mara that afternoon, placing his hands on her back, and flooding her with his Mana over the course of an hour. The pair were panting quite harshly after, as though they had done something else.

“Thank you,” Mara stated, as firmly as she could. She smiled, trying to maintain the composure of a maid, but Adam could see that she was still exhausted from being used as a battery for over a year.

“Any time,” Adam replied, nodding his head at her, trying to smile to reassure her.

The Half Elf quickly cooled himself in the nearby stream, getting rid of any thoughts about the woman. He reached up to his heart, which was cool. The typical warmth of his Mana no longer accompanied him, but there was something else about it.

“Adam,” Mara called, causing Adam to straighten up. He had just finished changing, and his heart pounded as he was almost caught. He followed her to once side, where she offered him a cup of wine, pouring it in for him.

“I have heard that you assisted my Lady throughout your journeys,” Mara said.

“Well, you know,” Adam replied, awkwardly. He sipped the cup of wine.

“Why?”

“Why, what? Why did I help her?”

Mara bowed her head.

“Did she tell you about how we have something in common?”

“Her Grace has revealed your secrets to me,” Mara said. “You have no need to worry, for I will not reveal them.”

Adam nodded his head, understanding that once two people knew of a secret, it was no longer a secret. “I didn’t want her to be like me. I don’t have anyone from my world with me, and though I have Jurot and the others in this world, they’re not the same as those from my other life. I’ve lost everyone, but at the very least, she has you.” Adam’s lips formed a smile, but the smile strained against his lips. “I don’t want her to be like me.”

“Are you certain it is not because you love her?” Mara asked.

Adam almost choked as he laughed. “Lucy is my friend, Mara.”

“You would go so far for your friends?”

“She hasn’t told you much about me, it seems,” Adam said. “You should ask her how far I’m willing to go for my friends.”

“She spoke of your interest in me,” Mara said, smiling at him innocently.

“What kind of interest?” Adam asked, his cheeks flushing slightly red.

“That you wished to marry me.”

“I’m too weak to marry anyone,” Adam replied, awkwardly, feeling his throat clog up. For a moment the cringe washed over him, but it was quickly replaced by something else.

Mara noted the flash of darkness which crossed his eyes, and so dropped the joke there. “Thank you, Adam.”

“Any time.”