334. The Birthday II

334. The Birthday II

“What are you doing here?” Adam asked, staring at the old man. There was something off about him, something he couldn’t quite figure out.

Jarot narrowed his eyes slightly, but seeing that the Iyrmen around were on high alert, he made a motion to his wife.

“I heard that there was a birthday in the Rot family so thought to come by,” Strom replied.

“Welcome, Sir Strom,” Mulrot called, walking over to greet him.

“I’m no Sir, young lady,” Strom replied.

“And I am no lady,” Mulrot replied.

Strom smiled. “Of course. The Family Elder, isn’t that right?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry for interrupting the birthday.”

Mulrot had heard this particular Guest of the Iyr was close to Adam in some way, and considering he had lost his prized weapon to Adam, she wasn’t sure if she should refuse his entrance. The other members of the Rot family were unsure of him, but she bowed her head.

“I am certain that Adam wishes to show off his sister to you,” Mulrot said. She had taken a moment to think about how to word the fact that he was welcome here, but a typical welcome wouldn’t have good enough.

Adam smiled. “That’s right.” When he noticed the Iyrmen had turned their attention to him, he straightened up. “I hope you’ve brought a gift.”

“What kind of person invites himself to a birthday without bringing a gift?” Strom asked, understanding that he was barging in. It would have been hard to refuse him, considering his special status within the Iyr. Rumours had passed through the Iyr that he had the ability to travel freely as he pleased within the Iyr, something unheard of within the Iyr.

“What did you...” Adam paused. “Did you lose weight?”

Strom smiled. “A little.”

The old man had certainly lost a little weight but there was something else which was different.

Jarot had noticed it when Strom had appeared, and the Iyrmen who had met Strom had noticed it later. UppTodated from nô/v/e/lb(i)n.c(o)/m

The domineering presence he once held was gone.

“Are you okay?” Adam asked.

“I’m just an old man now.”

“You were already an old man, weren’t you?” Adam asked.

“I suppose I was.” Strom smiled wider, before taking his seat opposite Adam. “It’s a shame that I had to give it up so soon since I still have some unfinished business.”

“What do you mean by that?” Adam sighed. Strom was always so vague, and it annoyed him to no end. He wondered if Strom would ever reveal his true identity to him, though he had been told it was quite dangerous. ‘I’m still curious though.’

“What I mean is that I have given away my Spark,” Strom said.

Upon hearing his words, Jurot choked on his wine, turning aside to cough and splutter against the floor. He wiped his face with a piece of cloth, before looking up at Strom in uncharacteristic shock.

“Are you okay?” Adam asked, patting Jurot’s back.

“I am fine,” Jurot said, coughing into the cloth.

“Sounds like giving away your Spark is a big deal?”

“One could describe it as such.” Strom smiled coyly.

“Who to?”

“An old friend?”

“How old are we talking?”

“They are as old as me.”

“Oh,” Adam replied, far more enthusiastic.

“It is not just a typical breastplate made of blue dragon scales,” Strom said. “It is magical.”

“Magical how?”

“Why don’t you identify it with your spell?”

“Why do you always have to make things difficult?” Adam narrowed his eyes at the old man.

“How else will an old man like me have fun other than by teasing children?”

Adam continued to narrow his eyes, before he began to snicker. “Jurot.”

“Yes?”

“Jurot.”

“Yes?”

Adam began to laugh, causing some of the Iyrmen to glance his way. “Jurot! Can you believe it?”

The other three were confused. “Believe what?” Jurot asked.

“He... he’s giving our little sister breastplate armour! A daughter of the Rot family wearing breastplate?”

Jurot reached up to his chin. “It is not terrible.”

“Why does she needs breastplate when she’ll be so much stronger without it?” Adam asked.

“It is not terrible,” Jurot repeated.

“No, what I mean is...” Adam raised his cup. “Why does she need armour when she has the both of us?”

Jurot remained quiet for a long moment. He nodded, raising his cup, before drinking with Adam.

Strom smiled.

The breastplate armour was great, and would be useful to most people, though perhaps to someone like Adam, who could wear plate mail with ease, it was easily overlooked. It was more than a great gift for the girl, especially since it was something which would assist in keeping her safe.

‘I didn’t expect you to be so shy, Adam.’ Strom sipped some of the wine from his bowl. “I will see if you are laughing once you find out what I have given.”

“Yeah? Why’s that?”

Strom smiled wider. “I wonder if I should tell you. It would make you look foolish, but I’d rather not do it in front of your sister on this day.”

“You know, Strom. You ain’t so bad.” Adam chuckled. “You’re much better than the Aldish nobles who can’t take a joke.”

“Even if I was offended, what can I do? I’m so close to death that there is no point in taking any offence.”

“Why did you have to make it so awkward?”

Strom sipped his bowl of alcohol, winking at the young Half Elf. “Speaking of magical weapons, where is Stormdrake?”

“Jaygak has it.”

“The Devilkin?” Strom wondered why it was in her possession. “Did you lose it to her?”

“No, I gave it to her.”

Strom almost choked on the wine he was drinking. “You did what?”

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Gifts are given, and Adam still gives people heart attacks.