296. Sketches Of Life

296. Sketches Of Life

Omen: 1, 13

“Oof,” Adam said, pushing his sister up with his stomach as he breathed heavily.

Lanarot lay on top of his chest, swaying with each breath. She babbled quietly, before getting up on all fours, staring down at him. She smiled, giggled, and then lay back down on his front, babbling all the while.

“Yeah? You don’t say.” Adam brushed her hair with a hand.

He had trained in the morning lightly, not quite as hard as the day before, and had assisted Nobby with his training. After his bath, he relaxed with Lanarot, who had chosen to lay on him and babbled to him about her worries.

Since he had time that day, he decided to spend it with the children. He had been tasked with looking after them, including making sure they were eating and drinking appropriately throughout the day.

He played Warriors and Wanderers with the children, all the while Naqokan was looking after Lanarot, along with the other teens.

“You are serious about this?” Laygak asked.

“Yes,” she replied, holding Lanarot’s hands as the girl stood, squatting every so often. Naqokan was spending more time with the children recently, understanding her true role as an Iyrman.

During their game of Warriors and Wanderers, the group had regrouped and had formed a plan to find the other characters which were missing. However, as they went to follow the tracks they had found, they were beset by a great beast, a Chimera, which had slain half the party, and the other half retreated.

“Does anyone want to play a Mage?” Adam asked.

“I will play,” Katool said. “I will know magic.”

“You cannot know magic,” Raygak said. “You are an Ool.”

“If Katool wants to know magic in the game, she is allowed to,” Adam said, bringing her a sheet, writing down a few spells for her. “I know magic, so there’s nothing wrong with it, is there?”

“No...” Raygak replied, awkwardly.

Regrouping with new travellers they had found, those played by the children whose characters had died, they continued to find the nearby sage, who may be able to assist them.

With the game done, the children each rolled dice to see who would be able to offer a story next, though those who had already chosen a story were not allowed to roll.

During the evening, Lady Elowen and the others came to eat dinner with Adam and the others.

“It has become so lively,” Tizgak said. “I did not expect that our families would receive so many visitors after Jurot began his adventures.”

“We have such honoured Guests,” Sonarot said. “A Priest of Wahtu, a Priest of Mahtu.”

“A Princess,” Kaygak added, looking at the young girl as she showed Adam the piece of meat in her hand, before eating it.

“We came for Adam,” Lady Elowen said. “He had invited us to stay in the Iyr.”

“We will always welcome those who have been invited by my Nephew,” Sonarot assured.

The other families did not have quite so many Guests as they did, and so the adult Iyrmen had to speak with the other families, answering their questions and updating them on the Guests who had arrived.

“Sure,” Adam said. “I’ll be sure to remind Lanarot that she isn’t allowed to take it outside.”

“Then I see no reason to refuse,” Elowen said.

“Thank you,” Adam replied, smiling. “You hear that, Lanababy? Alright. Should I have Vonda come here, or do you want to hang out with us?”

“We will come,” Elowen said, watching Adam lead the way back. ‘Cute,’ she thought. ‘That is a word for Adam too.’

Omen: 10, 16

With a decent Omen, Adam decided against working out too hard that day. He reduced his training to half, which was his training for the days in between his heavy training.

Smithing Check (Strength)

D20 + 6 = 18 (12)

Omen: 10, 16 -> 10

16 + 6 = 22

Smithing Check (Constitution)

D20 + 6 = 13 (7)

Exhaustion: 0 -> 1

Adam had decided to forge a longsword that day, since they were the most popular weapons which were bought. It was a fairly typical longsword, with a basic design. The handle was wrapped around with leather around the metal, and the guard was slightly curved upwards. He plucked a thread of Fate, allowing Jurot a moment of respite against the onslaught he was receiving, in order to forge the weapon to a decent quality.

‘I should figure out an actual stamp for my smithing,’ Adam thought. He had made most of his weapons without a stamp, not wanting the weapons to be traced back to him just in case.

“You are no longer making axes?” Zijin asked, having approached after seeing the Half Elf was staring at the newly forged sword with a deep, tired gaze.

“I was going to make axes and stuff for the new project I’m working on, only to realise that I need way more money if I actually want to do it properly.” Adam shrugged his shoulders. “Plus, I need to make weapons for the rest of the group so that they have magical weapons too.”

Zijin was still not used to Adam’s generosity. “So you are creating weapons to gift?”

“Yeah.”

“Have you prepared Turot’s gift?”

“Turot’s gift?” Adam asked.

“It is Turot’s birthday soon.”

“Soon? How soon?” Adam asked, surprised. He hadn’t heard about Turot’s birthday.

“It is the fifteenth,” Zijin replied.

“Oh,” Adam said, sighing with relief. “Thankfully it’s only the...” ‘Hold up.’ “Isn’t it the thirteenth today?”

“Yes,” Zijin replied.

“Oh, shi-“

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What a terrible cousin Adam is...