495. Chiefly Chat

495. Chiefly Chat

Omen: 4, 17

Jirot cackled as she placed a block on top of another. She had gained such a new found power that morning, and so far it had been used for evil.

“I told you she keeps bullying me,” Adam said, holding Jarot against him, gently patting his back as the boy cuddled up to him. “How are blocks more fun than me? I can fly, you know.”

“You have not flown with her,” Vonda replied.

“It’s probably dangerous to fly with her when she’s so small still.” Adam tickled his son’s ear gently, causing him to squirm, the boy babbling and cooing quietly.

The noon sun basked over the Iyr by the Chief called for Adam.

“Chief,” Adam said, nodding his head to the Iyrman, taking his seat opposite the Chief, in the Great Elder’s estate. He reached for the fried dough snacks the Chief always provided.

“Adam,” Iromin replied. “The Iyr has changed much this year.”

“You’re telling me.” Adam helped himself to one of the Chief’s snacks.

“You spoke of your goals with Elder Zijin. Are there any goals you have hidden from him?” Iromin’s eyes were glued to the Half Elf’s. Ee was one of the few who knew Adam’s true tale.

“I don’t think so. I might have other, smaller goals, but for the most part, that’s it.”

“Do you have any plans to marry into the Iyr?”

“I don’t have any plans to marry at the...” Adam paused to think about it. “Well, that’s not exactly true. I think I probably should find someone, but it’s going to be rough. I come with so much damn baggage, you know. I’m a Half Elf with Goblin children. I probably wouldn’t marry into the Iyr, though it’s not impossible.”

Iromin bowed his head. He wasn’t sure if this was Adam creating distance with the Iyr and himself, but there was no need to dwell on that, not when there was so much going on in the world.

“One day.” Adam shrugged his shoulders, leaving it at that.

Iromin wondered how many within the Iyr wanted to marry him. He thought of some of Adam’s companions, and he was certain there were a few within them that would wish to marry Adam. Other than Jaygak, perhaps.

“Chief,” Adam called, pausing for a moment. “I hope you understand that Konarot, Kirot, and Karot, are my children.”

“I do.”

“They’re not tools to be used against Entalia,” Adam stated, firmly. It wasn’t a statement, really, more a threat. Adam, who had decided to censor himself in a number of ways, wanted to make sure the Chief knew where he drew the line.

“Your children are Nieces and Nephews of the Rot family,” the Chief replied. “Even if the Great Elders wished to use them, it would be far too difficult.”

“Difficult, but not impossible?”

“I do not know,” Iomin admitted, but he could say no more, not wishing to reveal such knowledge to Adam. He, the Chief, who had spent so much time protecting the children, could now be at peace since the children had been formally adopted into the Iyr. “You have no need to worry for them within the Iyr now.”

“Of course, if you start picking fights, I’ll make sure to...” Adam stopped. “I mean, thank you very much for your hospitality, I won’t forget it.”

“When did you become so meek, Adam?” the Chief asked.

“I realised I earned a lot of animosity from the Iyr, and a lot of distrust. This is the one place I should feel safe, and most of the time I do, but sometimes...” Adam shrugged his shoulders. “Everyone’s on edge nowadays too.”

“That is because Elder Story has left the Iyr,” Iromin said. “They have left to deal with matters above us.”

“Yeah?” Adam sighed. “Considering they’re probably the strongest Iyrman since they’re probably the most ancient person, thing, around.”

“How did you come to such a conclusion?”

“Elder Story isn’t sworn in,” Adam said, recalling the trouble he had received when Turot had escorted around the Iyr the first time. “They’re someone who even Strom knew, and he’s probably a few thousand years old. I mean, he was.”

“There is a thing as knowing too much.”

“Well, you know.” Adam shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe Elder Story isn’t sworn in because they come from a long line of descendants, though I’m not sure if that would be it. It might be because they have a great ability with memory or something? I don’t actually know. It’s just that all the evidence suggests that. All I know is that they’re probably one hell of a monster, like Strom was, and Lord Stokmar is.”

Iromin bowed his head, glad that Adam had brought up such a topic naturally. “Do you still wish to become strong?”

Adam wondered why the Chief was mentioning it. Zijin had mentioned it several times too. ‘Did the Chief ask him to do it?’ “Yes.”

“You are afraid. If you grow more powerful, too quickly, you think it will appear?”

Adam slowly nodded his head.

“Then grow strong slowly, like a tree. There are ways to increase your strength without personally growing stronger. I do not recommend it, such strength can be taken away from you swiftly, like death.”

“All strength can be taken away easily. The strength of preparation. The strength of status. The strength of physical might. The strength of magic. The strength of tools. I only need one to protect myself, but to protect my children? I need them all, Chief.”

Iromin bowed his head. “I will speak to you another day about the matter of strength.”

‘Should I ask for Elder Gold?’ Adam thought, thinking about the deal he had made with her. ‘No. I can’t ask about that sort of thing, especially not now. I can’t wholly rely on the Iyr. Like he said, strength can be taken away from me quickly, and the strength of the Iyr isn’t any different.’

“Enjoy yourself for now, as you have assisted the Iyr greatly,” Iromin said, warmly. “Rest well, Adam.”

Adam nodded his head. “Thanks for the snacks, and the talk, Chief.” With that, the Half Elf made his way back to the shared family estate, where no doubt his children were playing peacefully. Adam thought about the Iyr, its strength and its rules. He wondered if he should allow his children to marry within the Iyr. It would provide them a life he couldn’t.

“I want to be Blood Mage!” came the shout of the little Devilkin boy. His fists were clenched, his face scrunched together as he cried. Though he was crying, he shouted clearly, declaring the words to the world.

‘What?’ Adam thought, having never seen the little Gak like this before. If it had been Raygak, he wouldn’t have thought much of it, but the one shouting and screaming was Saygak. ‘What did I do this time?’

Damn it, Adam.