The Great Elders looked towards the Chief, each of them waiting expectantly.

The Chief sighed. He had brought Zijin’s proposal forward not long ago, but after hearing what Elder Zijin had sent that afternoon, there was another pressing matter to deal with.

Iromin decided to remain silent for a long while, trying to understand what he should say to his fellow Great Elders. There was a thought within the back of his mind, and he wanted to avoid it. He hoped that no one would suggest such a thing, but when it came to Adam, he realised nothing was impossible.

“Adam wishes to adopt the Goblins he has brought into the Iyr,” Iromin began. He paused, trying to understand what he should say next. “What are your thoughts?”

“It certainly is something he would do,” Elder Gold said.

“Is it because of what happened with Lord Shama?” Elder Forest mused, wondering if the two things were connected.

“I do not see how it would benefit Adam to adopt two Goblin children,” Elder Peace said. “Perhaps he knows Lord Stokmar’s opinion on Goblins?”

“I do not believe that Adam has any such thoughts,” Iromin said. “Perhaps his guilt has overwhelmed him. Sonarot suggests that Adam has not felt well recently, the same as the three who wish for their rights.”

“If he wishes to adopt the Goblins, then allow him to do so,” Elder Peace said. “It is his right to do so, even if he was not a Nephew of the Rot family. We will be unable to enforce such a matter on the land outside of the Iyr, but at least, within the land of we Iyrmen, it is a small matter.”

“The-,” the Chief began, only to pause as one of his aides appeared, handing him a slip of paper. Iromin read the slip of paper, before he burnt it. “It seems I am needed in the Front Iyr.” He stood and began to make his way out.

“Chief, the task which had been handed to you…” Elder Peace began, pausing for a moment. “It seems you have been blessed with a new opportunity.”

The Chief stopped. He turned to throw a look over his shoulder to Elder Peace. “I have not forgotten.” He made his way out, leaving the others to speak about the matter, though it would not be tempered by his moderation. Unfortunately, he was needed at the Front Iyr for something equally as troubling.

An Iyrman with a skull guided him through the tunnel, and he arrived within the Iyr within the hour, whereas it would typically take a day’s travel through the hills and mountains, but with the assistance of one of those Iyrmen, his travel was far swifter.

Iromin stepped up towards the centre of the Front Iyr, where the group had already begun to speak with the guest which had appeared.

“I like what you’ve done with the place,” Entalia said, glancing around. “Though I do worry about the company you’ve brought.” Her eyes flashed between the two scaled figures, and then to the two Lords, each of whom were royalty among royalty.

“It is a pleasure to see you,” Iromin said. The amount of stress on his shoulders had increased with another troublemaker. “May I ask why you have come?”

“I’ve come to speak with my darling about…” Entalia paused, tilting her head to the side. There was an interesting smell which clung to Iromin, though it was quite faint. “Anyway, I’ve come to speak with my darling.”

“Which darling is that?” Iromin asked.

Entalia smiled. “Isn’t it a little awkward to say with so many ears?”

Iromin bowed his head, before leading her towards the estates which had been built for the Great Elders, each with runes to silence the conversation from outside. The Iyr itself was already resistant to those who tried to peer in, partly thanks to their own runes, but also due to Baktu’s influence, but the estates were built with Guests in mind.

“I’ve come to speak with my darling about magical weapons,” Entalia said. “If he’s not around, then I’ll just relax within the Iyr until he comes. Veisswing and Grundaburg are already here, so I do hope it’s no bother.”

“It is fortunate that he has returned from his journey, though it is an awkward time for you to meet,” Iromin said. “Would you be willing to stay the night and I will send word to him tomorrow morning?”

“Fine,” Entalia said, keeping her eyes still. She had not seen the Front Iyr like this, and she hadn’t heard of anything like this happening before. The Iyr had called in a few of their favours, but she wasn’t sure why. She assumed it was something to do with Lord Strom, and perhaps one of the Oaths which the Iyr had sworn.

She was guided to a cabin which she could claim for the evening, though she did not place any of her items within it, instead keeping everything within her ring and bag.

“So whose this darling of yours?” Veisswing asked, feeling the itch on his bronze scales.

Entalia smiled. “He’s quite the adorable gentleman.”

“You’re not going to tell us?” Gundaburg asked.

“I’ve claimed him as mine, and if you know of him, you’ll claim him as yours,” Entalia said.

“It must be Adam then,” Veisswing said, with Grundaburg nodding her head.

“You’ve met him?” Entalia asked.

“He’s a queer one, that’s for certain.”

“He’s queer, but he belongs to me, so you better not get any bright ideas,” Entalia said, glaring at Veisswing in particular. “He’s also not into men.”

“It’s because he’s not a real Elf, isn’t it?” Veisswing asked.

“That, and he’s only half an Elf.”

“Half Elves are a curious lot, though not quite as curious as Half Dragons,” Veisswing said. “Some of my kids have decided to assist Aswadasad, but some of them are on opposite sides.”

“I heard about the war,” Entalia said, smiling. “Which side do you support?”

Veisswing narrowed his eyes at her. “The Shen, of course.”

“I knew there was a reason why I liked you, Veisswing,” Entalia said, smiling at him. “Are you going to assist them?”

“My sister will assist him, no doubt, but I’m here to repay my debt to the Iyr,” Veisswing said.

“I wonder if any of mine are travelling through Aswadasad,” Grundaburg wondered aloud. “I may tell them to help the Shen, if someone’s offering to pay them for it…”

Entalia looked to the bronze scaled man. “Are any of yours willing to switch sides to assist the Shen?”

“I’m not sure. If the offer is good enough, say a few magical weapons, or maybe a few thousand gold, they might decide to switch for a short while, or they could be convinced to step aside.”

“I would appreciate it,” Entalia said. “I might even ask my darling to help you.”

“Help me?” Veisswing asked. “That kid?”

Entalia smiled. “You have no idea what kind of man he is.”

Veisswing and Grundaburg shared a glance between one another. They knew Adam was special, but if Entalia had her eyes on him, it meant something more. It meant even more that she was vouching for him too.

Entalia caused no trouble, and slept peacefully that night. Even she knew that the Iyr was a great place to sleep, considering how many powerful Iyrmen surrounded her. As long as she caused no trouble, they wouldn’t try to do anything to her.

When she awoke in the morning, she followed the Chief to one of the small areas where the Chief could take guests to speak with them about private matters. It was also a place where he could reveal something to her without the others knowing.

Entalia cocked her head to the side as the queer smell appeared again. Her eyes snapped to the figure, an Iyrman who was mostly nondescript. No, he was certainly someone related to one of the Iyrmen she knew. “You are related to Jurot, aren’t you?”

“I am his uncle,” Tonagek replied, staring at the woman.

Entalia remained silent for a long moment, eyeing him up. She understood why this Iyrman had been called, for the Chief was trying to confirm something. Her eyes fell to the Chief, and she wondered what she should do.

“Where are they?” Entalia asked, calmly.

“Please, follow me,” Iromin said, and Tonagek followed with them, heading deeper into the Iyr, through the tunnels, until they came across an area far enough away from the Front Iyr and Main Iyr.

Entalia stared down at the little three Dragons, which then darted towards her eagerly, almost tackling her. They each cried out happily, and licked at her neck and cheeks. They purred and nestled against their mother, all the while she remained frozen, staring down at the three.

‘…’

Her eyes snapped to Iromin, and then Tonagek, before they turned a deep silver colour. “I hope you’ll explain to me how my children came to be within the Iyr, Chief.”

Iromin could see it in her eyes, and watched as the frost escaped her mouth, moments away from attacking the pair of Iyrmen deep within the Iyr. “Tonagek will explain the story, for he was the one to find them.” He decided against mentioning he had claimed them as his own children, not wanting to start a fight.