648. Birthdays IV

648. Birthdays IV

“Why’s he smiling so much?” a soldier whispered to his companion.

“I don’t know. He was so happy hearing his grandson placed first in the tournament, but today he was all dower. Now he’s all... happy? You think he killed someone?”

“Probably...”

The crippled older Iyrman remained with his companions, drinking with the Devilkin and the older woman, both of whom he had remained with the entire time.

“I will bring back a head for each of them!” Jarot stated, grinning wildly like a beast.

“What need of your greatchildren of heads?” Gangak asked. “You should bring them gems.”

“Gems, yes,” Jarot said, smiling wildly. “Should I beat some gems out of the Order Masters?”

“Do not cause any more trouble.”

“Trouble? Who do you think I am? I am Jarot!” Jarot cackled with laughter, which echoed through the camp. He, who shared his name with his greatson, only wished to add to his story. ‘Jarot, I will return soon! Wait for me, my boy!’

Meanwhile, Jarot waited for his babo, having all but forgotten the older Iyrman.

“I heard there were going to be drinks,” a figure said, a beardless Dwarven woman. She had walked in through an entrance of the extended family estate, her four escorts remaining outside.

“It’s a pleasure to see you, Lord Stokmar,” Adam said, smiling awkwardly towards the Lord of Earth. “Of course, I made sure to speak with my granduncle and he assured me that there would be drinks.” Adam had no idea where the drinks would be, but Elder Zijin had promised that the drinks would be ready.

“Brother Rajin brought a bottle that he had kept aside for decades,” Zirot said, motioning a hand for one of the teens to go and bring it for the Lord of Earth.

“Hmph,” Lord Stokmar said, approaching Tarot and Zirot. She looked down at the pair of Goblins, and reached out to them. She rubbed their heads gently with her hands, causing the Goblins to purr and mew quietly.

“...” Morkarai remained silent as he watched Lord Stokmar rub the children’s heads, standing at the entrance. He glanced over to the Iyrmen escorts, nodding his head to them, before he quietly stepped into the estate.

Eventually, the Lord of Earth stopped rubbing their heads, and made her way to the side. The Rot youth began to whisper between one another, shocked to see the Lord of Earth there. It wasn’t just anybody, but perhaps one of the most powerful figures to ever step foot within the Iyr. She was considered as prestigious as the Ancient Golden Dragon which protected the capital.

Tarot rubbed the little Jarot’s head, glad that his first birthday would be a tale all by itself. Not everyone could say that the Lord of Earth had visited them during their first birthday. Zirot held Jirot closer, squeezing her cheeks gently, smiling towards the girl. Jirot let out a wicked cackle, before she gasped up towards her grandaunt, who had squinted suspiciously towards her. Jirot flushed shyly and hid her face within the woman’s bosom.

“Oh, hey Lord Morkarai,” Adam said, reaching out to shake the Fire Giant’s forearm, flashing a smile. “Glad you could make it.”

“Of course,” Morkarai replied, not wanting to give up a chance to grow closer to the likes of Adam. “I hope I was not late?”

“No, no, plenty early,” Adam said, leading the Prince of Fire Giants to his twins. “Jirot, Jarot, look! It’s Lord Morkarai!”

The twins looked up towards the Fire Giant, seeing his fiery red beard, and reached up for it. Morkarai allowed them to grab his beard, which had been well conditioned, and was as thick as ever. “They must see colour well.”

“Something like that,” Adam replied, doing his best not to joke about not seeing colour.

“Then they will enjoy my gift,” Morkarai said, reaching into his pocket, before pulling out two rings. They were made of metal, though the metal seemed to shift colours within the light. “I will give them to your father, since you are too small to have them.”

“Make sure you say thank you properly,” Adam said, accepting the rings into his palm. He raised his brows as he felt the gentle tingle of magic within them. “Are they magical?”

“They are rings of protection,” Morkarai said. “I brought some for your triplets too, since I had missed their birthday.”

“Lord Morkarai, you’re such a cool guy,” Adam whispered. “You’re the best.”

“It was a simple matter to make such items. I hope your children will grow well.”

“I’m sure they will.” Adam accepted the other rings Morkarai had brought too, these more silver, and sometimes also caught the light. The soft tingle of magic ran through him. ‘Morkarai really is a cool guy...’

Jirot and Jarot eventually went to nap, along with the numerous other babies who had been born in the past couple of years. Zirot and Tarot went to watch over the children, along with a few of the mothers, who were still not allowed to work since they just had children.

“Thanks for coming,” Adam said to the Lord of Earth, offering her another bottle of wine, one that Mulrot had given to him to gift.

“The drinks are acceptable,” Stokmar replied, sipping the sour drink slowly, savouring it.

“It means a lot to me, and it will mean a lot to the children in the future.”

“I’m sure.” Stokmar waved her hand to dismiss the Half Elf. “You’re ruining the flavour of the drinks.”

“No, no, can’t be showing you disrespect,” Adam replied, smirking slightly.

Morkarai rubbed his forehead, the corners of his lips curling upwards. “You speak with so much vigour for a young man who placed third.”

“Didn’t I beat you already?”

Morkarai grinned wide. “You did.”

“I held back, though?”

“I did too.”

“You did?”

“Of course.”

Adam laughed, patting the Prince of Fire Giants against his back, and they continued to chat between one another. A few hours later, Adam and the main Rot family began to make their way back to the shared estate. They were welcomed by the smell of spiced meat, and the sight of Adam’s companions, and various bottles.

“What’s all this?” Adam asked, as his companions had prepared drinks for them, and some food, which the Aswadians had cooked for them using their spices.

“It’s time for you to relax,” Vonda said, plating some food for him, chunks of meat and grilled vegetables.

Lucy picked up Jirot, hoisting her up with a light huff, before rubbing the girl’s hair. Mara picked up the boy, poking his nose gently, while the boy tried to hide away from her, giggling lightly. The pair took the children to one side to play with them.

“Relax?” Adam glanced between his companions, noting the way they were looking at him. He raised his brows, but gave in to them. “Alright, alright.”

The others had brought gifts for the twins too, from scarves to ribbons, which the children excitedly waved within the air while playing with the Demons. Dunes remained to one side, cooking the food, while Korin, Sara, and Amira each ate and spoke with Adam. Amira looked to Dunes, who remained at the grill, cooking for the group, and keeping away from the twins. His eyes were focused on the grill, not allowing his eyes or mind to wander.

Fred sat awkwardly nearby, looking at the twins as they tossed the balls back to the Demons. ‘Goblins. Demons.’ He wasn’t sure how he managed to become in the service of such a father. He eventually handed the pair bracelets made of colourful beads. The colours were more intense than other beads, though that was to be expected since he had bought them in East Port. He retreated back to the corner, keeping an eye on the pair. ‘I should be used to it, but...’

Jonn also gifted the children strips of cloth, staring down at the pair who he had promised to protect. How he had managed to come to swear his Oaths to protect Goblins, he didn’t know, but he supposed it was a good enough reason to live for the future.

Vonda brought a pair of amulets to the children, made of carved wood. “Live long, happy lives,” she whispered, praying to Mother Soza, before handing the amulets to the pair, who grabbed at them and raised them, staring at them for a long moment, before raising them up to their father.

“Do you see?” Adam said to his twins, picking them up instead. “Everyone knows you’re so cute, that’s why they all showered you in affection!”

Jirot and Jarot smiled, cackling lightly as they embraced their father. They rested their cheeks against their father’s chest, holding the amulet tightly.

“No one loves you as much as daddy, though.” Adam kissed their foreheads. “Daddy will protect you, and if daddy isn’t around, then it’ll be nana and papo, and probably your babo too, once he’s back.”

Mirot narrowed her eyes, wondering why he hadn’t mentioned her.

“Even if you don’t remember anything, remember that, okay?” Adam kissed their cheeks repeatedly, holding them closer. The twins, who had first refused Adam when he had returned, quickly had allowed their father into their hearts. He was the one to give them the most affection, as much as everyone else combined. ‘Don’t worry, even if you forget me again, I’ll remind you that I love you!’

Jurot was glad to see Adam so joyful, having lost the stress which had been building within him, even on the day. ‘Will my children be the same?’

“Lanarot’s still a baby too,” Adam whispered, letting his children relax against his chest. “She probably won’t remember much of this time, but she needs to remember that we love her.”

“Yes!” Lanarot assured, holding up a piece of bread affirmatively. “Love papa!”

“Lanababy, you’re too cute.”

Lanarot smiled. “Yes.” She returned back to eating her bread.

“My first memory was of grandfather,” Jurot said, his eyes looking back towards the past.

“Not your father?” Adam asked, surprised.

“No,” Jurot confirmed. “It was of grandfather. He was so... big.”

“Well, you must have been so small then.” Adam embraced his small children tighter within his arms, allowing them to nap within his arms. “Just like my widdle babies.”

Jurot slowly nodded his head, but didn’t elaborate, instead closing his eyes. His memories returned to him, recalling when he was just a boy.

It had been raining on that day, Jurot recalled. As the lightning flashed, it illuminated his grandfather in his entirety. He saw the rage on the older Iyrman’s face, and how his muscles were flexed, poised to kill.

So much foreshadowing! I can't wait for Jarot to return so he can spoil them.