481. Nightval Festival III

481. Nightval Festival III

Omen: 7, 12

“Cousin Adam, you must play with us today,” Katool demanded, pointing up at him.

Adam blinked, staring down at the girl. His entire body tensed up as she stared up at him with a look of annoyance. “Kitool, your sister is terrifying,” Adam whispered.

Kitool decided against responding to Adam, understanding where this was going, and not wanting to humour him.

“Her cuteness is terrifying.”

Kitool nodded, though she had not needed to be told about such matters.

“Cousin Adam, you must play with us today!” Turot declared, also pointing up at him, puffing out his cheeks.

“Why?”

“You are Cousin Adam,” the boy said, staring up at the Half Elf with Iyrman conviction.

Adam narrowed his eyes, his brows furrowed in thought. “That does make sense. I suppose I should, then.”

Turot nodded, and Katool smiled. Adam joined the children, who led him around the Iyr. There were a few Iyrmen who looked his way, noting that he wasn’t an Iyrman, and yet he was walking around with a bunch of the Iyr’s children. However, seeing the axe at his side, the symbol of the Rot family, his leaf shaped ears, and the fact he was walking alongside Turot, they put the pieces together and left him be, though still kept an eye on him.

Adam tossed a snowball towards Katool, who ducked just in time, though she hadn’t needed to, before Taygak managed to strike his side with a snowball. Adam fell, and Taygak hollered in excitement, before she was struck by Saygak. Taygak fell, and Saygak smiled, with a snowball swooshing past his head, hitting the ground. He turned, finding Raygak stuck in shock, for he had snuck up on his cousin with ease, and had the most perfect shock.

“This is not right!” Raygak shouted, before he was pelted by a snowball from Turot.

The group eventually found their way to a stall to eat, eating fried pastries, some of which were full of cheese, which oozed out as they bit into the flaky crust.

‘Man, what I would do for a cheese and onion bake from big G right now,’ Adam thought, though he thoroughly enjoyed the pastry.

“Adam, come,” Taygak said, motioning with her hand before leading the children, and Adam, away. She made her way towards the sound of fighting, and there they found Jaygak, adorned in armour, swinging a blade as she warmed up her body.

“Cousin Jaygak, we come,” Taygak said, throwing out her arm to reveal the rest of the children.

“Have you all come to watch me fight?” Jaygak asked, smiling at the group.

“Yes,” the children replied.

“Then I can’t lose,” Jaygak said, ruffling the children’s hair. “Have you come to bet?”

“Sure. A hundred gold?”

“On me winning or losing?”

“I won’t bet against you, Jaygak,” Adam assured.

“Right,” Jaygak replied, her voice full of doubt.

“I can’t believe you would say that after all we’ve been through,” Adam said, pouting.

“I do not have Stormdrake.”

“Oh...” Adam fell silent for a moment. “Then maybe I should bet against you.”

Saygak held up a slice of pizza for her as she sipped her wine, nodding his head.

Jaygak looked down at all the children who were pampering her, before she wrapped her arms around them, feeling her heart stir. “Why are you all so cute? My cousins are the cutest!” It was then it struck her heart, the reason why the Iyrmen spill blood.

Iyrheart.

“I’ll become strong! So strong that you can tell everyone how amazing your big sister is!” Jaygak declared.

“My sister is so strong!” Raygak shouted, before biting his pizza angrily.

“Strong!” Katool shouted, with the other children all shouting, causing the other Iyrmen nearby to glance their way.

Adam laughed, chuckling lightly, before trying to hush the children gently.

“It seems you have awoken Jaygak,” called a familiar voice.

Adam jolted up, looking back to see Sarot, who was standing tall behind the Half Elf. “What’s with you Iyrmen? Every time...”

Sarot looked down to Adam, before motioning with his head. “Come, Adam. We must talk.”

Adam pat his chest, trying to calm his heart, following the old Iyrman away. They stepped out to a corner, where they were mostly alone, as alone as anyone could be within the Iyr.

‘Is this guy going to stab me?’

Sarot turned, causing Adam to jump, reaching for his chest once more. “Adam?”

“Yeah?”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, sorry,” Adam said, clearing his throat.

Sarot had many questions for the Half Elf, though he wasn’t sure which he should ask. “Why did you give Jaygak such a great weapon?”

“I’ve been asked this question a lot,” Adam said, smiling. “She’s my friend.”

“That is all?”

“Yes.”

“Why did you not wish to hand it down to Lanarot?” Sarot asked. “It is such a great weapon, one which even the Iyr covets.”

“Lanarot?” Adam asked, raising his brow towards the old Iyrman. “Lanarot? A sword? How could you suggest such a thing. Just because I’m her brother, that doesn’t make her any less of a Rot.”

‘How did he turn this back to me?’ Sarot thought, sighing. His eyes remained on the Half Elf, whose brows were furrowed, obviously offended by such a question. Sarot knew this would be one of the last times he would meet with Adam.

“Good,” Sarot said, nodding his head. “You are a Nephew of the Rot family.” He placed a hand on Adam’s shoulder, squeezed it, and left.

Adam blinked, turning to watch the old Iyrman leave, wondering what had happened.

‘He is certainly brother’s grandson,’ Sarot thought.

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There was a small chance Sarot was there to kill him.