[997] – Y04.097 – Fools and Honour III

[997] – Y04.097 – Fools and Honour III

“They wish to crown the victor for your segment soon, since the omens are poor for the Twilight Month,” Grand Duchess Aeda said, sipping her tea.

Even now, Adam could feel the intense pressure falling down upon him. Before him he could really see it, that she was truly a Blacksnow, wearing her heavy furs, her pearl necklace, a simple ring, and her oppression as though it were fashionable. He glanced aside towards her guards, each of whom were famous for being quite strong, among the strongest across the land, each adorned in their full plate, each wielding great magical weapons.

“Since our Nightval Blade dropped out, the top four are yourself, Jaygak, Princess Adda, and, though she was defeated, Sir Roseia.”

Adam’s lips dared to twitch upwards, though he quickly stopped it from spreading, since he could still feel there was more to say. “So...”

“The tournament will end once each of you have faced one another,” the woman said. “Jaygak will face Princess Adda tomorrow, you will face Jaygak the day after, while Princess Adda will face Sir Roseia first, and then you will face once another for the final placings.”

“Are you okay with me placing first?” Adam asked. “Wouldn’t you want your great granddaughter to come first?”

“If Princess Adda defeats Jaygak and Sir Roseia, then she comes to face you, if it ends with a draw, both of you will place first.”

“Ah?” Adam hadn’t thought of it that way. “I bet quite a large sum to place first, so how will that come to play?”

“You will receive your money, one way or another,” the Grand Duchess stated. “It is only tens of thousands of gold.”

“Does the Princess know of this? I’m sure she has the pride of a Northerner, so how does she feel about me holding back to allow her to take first place alongside me?”

Jurot wondered why the half elf was picking a fight with the Grand Duchess, but he remained silent, since he hadn’t gone too far. He also wished to speak about that too.

“It does not matter. You will do as you are told.”

“As you wish, Your Grace,” Adam said. “Now, say that Jaygak defeats Princess Adda, what happens then?”

“Jaygak will not be able to defeat her, since it is not a fair fight,” the Grand Duchess replied, simply.

“Alright.” Adam frowned. “Then, if she has to lose against Princess Adda, then,” Adam began, pausing. He thought for a long moment. “If Sir Roseia manages to beat Jaygak, will she come second or third?”

“Third.”

“Why?”

“The bets to be paid out if she came second would be too much.”

“How much?” Adam asked.

“A few thousand gold, perhaps tens of thousands.”

“If Jaygak beats Sir Roseia, she places second, and you can use my winnings to pay for that position,” Adam said. “If Sir Roseia wins, then you can say that...” Adam paused. “No, it’s fine. If Jaygak wins, she comes second. If she loses, she places third, and I’ll pay for it through my winnings.”

“This is North Amber, boy.”

“I know,” Adam leaned back. “Since you want me to step back, that’s...” Adam paused. “Hold on. No, I won’t pay anything from my winnings. You want me to give up my position for first to allow your great granddaughter to come first alongside me, and that’ll be my condition.”

“...” The Grand Duchess wondered if Adam understood he was being threatened, but seeing the look in his eyes, it seemed as though he didn’t seem to care one bit. “What makes you so fearless?”

Adam raised his brows and leaned back. He turned his head. “What do you think?”

Jurot remained silent for a long moment. “My name is Jurot.”

“...”

“I am a Rot, so I am related to the, Kan, Gak, and Ool families too. From my father’s side, I am the grandson of the Rot and Fev families. Through the Fev families, I am related to the Mak, Laf, and Zys families.”

History Check (Intelligence)

D20 + 3 = 6 (3)

Adam sat up slightly upon hearing that Jurot was technically related to the Mak family. ‘What? What the hell, Jurot? You’re related to two crazy old men?’

“From my mother’s side, I am the grandson of the Gek and Fan families,” Jurot dared to say, revealing more than most Iyrmen should. “Through the Gek family, I am related to the Nuu, Ooj, and Sen families. Through the Fan family, I am related to the Kat, Var, Wir families.”

“Come on, Jurot! I gotta-,” Adam said, before catching Jurot’s eyes, which were busy glaring at other figures. “Alright.”

“If you’re paying for your own drinks, we’ll lose our streak!” Jaygak shouted, catching the people’s attention, dropping a pouch of silver and gold. “Drink! Drink up! Drink and cheer!”

“Ah’ve always said yous Iyrmen were good foke,” a half drunk patron said, raising her glass in the air.

The inn filled with the drunken joy paid for by Adam’s victory.

“Jurot,” Adam said, half leaning against his brother. “First place.” He gently punched his brother’s arm. “You gotta win-, god damn, bro. Leave some muscle for the rest of us.”

Jurot assisted his brother to the baths, understanding that Adam would want to bathe first. Adam eventually began to sober up within the bath.

“Jurot?”

“Yes?”

“You’re too big.”

“I have been training well.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about, you punk,” Adam replied, reaching up to hide his eyes. ‘You’re already so big, so why are you training your muscles?’ “I feel sorry for Pam.”

“She likes how big my muscles are,” Jurot said, flexing them.

“Yeah, I’m sure she does like how big you are.”

Jurot paused. He narrowed his eyes. ‘What is he talking about?’

‘Damn it, Jurot! This isn’t fair! At least let me win at one thing, damn it!’

“...” Jurot allowed his brother to act the fool while in the tub.

“Heh,” Adam managed out. “Right. Don’t I have more cute kids?”

‘Cringe.’

“Even if you are stacked in every way, you punk, at least this brother of yours has more cute adorable children. Yeah, right, right, that’s what I have.” Adam smiled.

“...”

Adam leaned back into the tub, the water pressing down against his entire body. He threw a look towards Jurot, who caught Adam’s eye. “Two bros. Chilling in a hot tub.” Adam smiled slightly. He shook his head, and looked away to the side. ‘He wouldn’t get it. No one would.’

“...”

“Sometimes, I’ll say something, and understand no one understands. It hurts, a lot.” Adam reached up to wipe his wet face. “Then I think of all I have. My family. My friends. All this gold.”

Jurot wished Adam stopped mentioning his wealth all the time.

“Even without all the gold, I wouldn’t trade this for anything else.”

Jurot nodded.

“I’m gonna face Jaygak soon.”

“Yes.”

Adam looked to the side, feeling the brisk cold air even through the walls of the bathroom. He didn’t wipe away the wetness on his face. ‘Damn it.’

Jurot allowed his brother to act the fool, allowing the half elf to ease his heart.



CRINGE.