488. Ill Fated

488. Ill Fated

Omen: 7, 14

Smithing Check (Strength)

D20 + 6 = 9 (3)

Omen: 7, 14 -> 7

14 + 6 = 20

Smithing Check (Constitution)

D20 + 5 = 16 (11)

Adam plucked a Thread of Fate, not thinking of the consequences for a mere 14, and thus Fate was forever changed. He forged an axe, one he would enchant in the future, either to sell or to hand to one of his future workers.

‘How are they doing without me?’ Adam thought, before he made his way to the extended Rot family estate.

Adam entered the courtyard of the Rot family estate, bringing with him an air of awkwardness. He glanced around to the Iyrmen, nodding his head slowly to them, though noted that Jarot, the old man, and Jirot were missing. Baby Jarot was within his basket, staring up at all the faces, not recognising them, though once he saw his father, he smiled and cooed.

“Jarot, my cute little babby, where is your babo and your sister?” Adam asked, lifting the boy up, holding him close to his chest.

“Jirot is unwell,” Mulrot said, calmly.

“What?”

“Jarot is looking after her.” The Family Elder guided Adam to the room where Jirot was kept, the form of the one armed Iyrman casting a shadow over her.

Jirot was fast asleep, but her breath was coarse and loud, as though it was scratching her throat.

“I should go get Vonda,” Adam said. “No, I have Healing Word, I can-,”

Jarot almost whacked Adam upside the head, but he was holding baby Jarot, so merely grabbed it instead. “What are you thinking? Trying to cast magic in this month, you fool.”

“Then what am I meant to do?” Adam asked, feeling how tightly the old man was holding his head, not quite hard enough to hurt, but enough for him to feel the pressure of an Iyrman’s strength.

“She must rest,” Jarot said, letting go of Adam’s head. “There is a herb the forest may hold. It will be brought to the Iyr.”

“Right,” Adam said. “A team needs to be formed. I’ll go get...” ‘Who can I get? Jurot, Kitool, and Jaygak are all gone. Should I take Lucy and Mara? No, they’re busy in the Iyr. Vonda? Dunes? No, magic is awkward this month...’

“A team has already been formed,” Jarot said.

“What?”

“Tarot has formed the team, taking with him Experts and Masters of our family.” Jarot’s eyes remained glued to the little girl.

Adam held his son against his chest, who could feel how quickly his father’s heart was beating. “Where are they? I’ll go too.”

“Relax, Adam,” Jarot said, calmly. “Otkan has gone with them.” Jarot’s heart would have been beating as hard as Adam’s, but after hearing that Jirot was ill, Otkan went to assist to ease the old man’s heart.

“Well, if it’s Otkan...” Adam quickly shut his mouth, realising what he had said. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Tarot and the others of the Rot family, but Otkan was someone who he trusted more than the extended Rot family. “Thanks.”

Jarot sighed. He wanted to go too, but he was needed here, to look after Jirot and Jarot. Tarot had put out the call personally, wanting to earn Adam’s good grace after what had happened.

Adam frowned, holding Jarot close to his chest. ‘What the hell happened? Is it because she moved to a different place? No, there’s no way Jarot would have moved her if she was going to get sick.’

“At times like this, leave it to us, Adam,” Jarot said. “No matter what happens, little Jirot will be fine. I can guarantee no one can take my precious Jirot from me.”

Omen: 6, 13

Smithing Check (Strength)

D20 + 6 = 7 (1)

Smithing Check (Constitution)

D20 + 5 = 8 (3)

The Rot family decided against sending him back that day, seeing the stress and haggardness overwhelm the Half Elf. They had heard stories about Adam, how he had flung himself forward to slay Vandra, the White Dragon who would cause difficult even for Jarot, and even a Blue Dragon. Yet, the Half Elf was just a shadow as he held his daughter’s hand, feeling how hot her body had become.

Omen: 1, 20

‘Damn,’ Adam thought, wondering how he could use the 20 to help his daughter. However, Strom’s warning replayed within his mind, and he sighed.

Jirot fell asleep after being fed, though Adam remained with her for a short while after. He kissed her forehead, and brushed her hair gently, before going off to smith.

Smithing Check (Strength)

D20 + 6 = 25 (19)

Smithing Check (Constitution)

D20 + 5 = 23 (18)

‘I can’t be moping around,’ Adam thought as he forged another axe. He returned that evening with a less hollow look, more like the Adam the Iyrmen knew.

“Which story do you want me to read you?” Adam asked, holding up two books. Jirot’s left hand twitched first, so Adam picked the book in his right hand. He had chosen two stories which had happy endings, and very little drama or sorrow.

“Huuuu!” Baby Jarot sniffled, threatening to cry. He could not see the baby who was always beside him, so constantly cried. He was already in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by unfamiliar faces. Where were those who used to look after him and give him his milk? Where was the old man who would tell him so many tales?

The other children wondered why the Goblin cried so much, and as he was taken away, they muttered between themselves.

“Is it because he is a Goblin?”

“He is not a Goblin, he is an Iyrman.”

“He cannot be an Iyrman.”

“Why not?”

The children argued between one another, before going to Churot, who was reading a book. He hadn’t done any maths ever since Jirot had been ill, finding the mood too dark.

“Cousin Churot, is baby Jarot an Iyrman?” a child asked.

Churot blinked. “He is cousin Jurot’s nephew.”

The children stared up at the Devilkin teen, before glancing between one another, thinking about what had been said.

“Yes,” a child said. “He is cousin Jurot’s nephew.”

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My poor Jirot! How can this happen to you?

Also Churot has a point.