Interlude: The Last Days of Nightval

Interlude: The Last Days of Nightval

'You've got to be kidding me.' Adam let out a long defeated sigh. He had calculated the group could, if they left swiftly, return back home by the end of the year. 'We need to wait until the twenty second?’

'The Grand Commander is leaving, but if we remain...' Jaygak thought, noting Adam's expression, the half elf certainly annoyed he couldn't return back home.

"What should we do for the next week?"

"We can help prepare the defences.”

"For the Twilight Month? I guess we could..." Adam sat beside Jaygak, who refused to speak of Jurot and Kitool and their fights. 'What's taking them so long?'

The North shifted its attention to the oncoming onslaught that was the Twilight Month throughout the last two weeks of nightval. The food stores were triple checked. The farmers worked upon their homes, readying themselves for the Twilight Month.

"Jimmy, Brown Boots?" an older farmer asked, carrying a large sack of grain over his shoulder.

Jimmy reached into his cloak to reveal a large silver medallion, stamped with the scales of Lady Elaveil.

"Thought you were volunteering?"

"I was gonna, but Knives got sick."

"They still got you anyhow?" Limes shrugged his shoulders. "Least you got the silver."

"Yeah."

The smiths kept their hours open for any smithing required by the town during the last few weeks of nightval, just in case, as inscribed within its laws. Adam and his companions also assisted, taking on the role of Brown Boots, those who volunteered to assist, shoring up the defences of the town and the nearby outposts, making sure items were stocked, and whatever else was required of them by those who made demands of them, mostly those from the clergy.

"You going to be fighting?" Limes asked.

"Probably," Adam replied, before Jaygak threw him a look. "I mean, yes, we are."

"Say, by any chance, are you the purple fellow?"

"Are you asking if I'm Executive Adam?"

"Aye, that's it."

"I am, yes."

"Thought so. Your axe and shield, recognised them from the fighting. Lost a gold on you when you fought against our Blade. I would have sworn she was going to win."

"She was the toughest fight for sure," Adam admitted, flashing an awkward smile. "I almost lost my bet, and man, my wife would have killed me. Well, not kill me, because, you know, she's from Life's Rose, but figuratively speaking."

The farmer nodded his head, throwing the Iyrmen a look, considering Adam's ridiculous words. "Life's Rose?"

"That's right, she's-,"

"Limes! Sammy's callin' for you!"

"Must be wonderin' where I left the salt," Limes said. "I always tell her, in the back, third bag. In the back, third bag." The old man grumbled and peeled himself off the bench, shuffling through to find Sammy.

Adam's eyes fell across the mass of people, all in their furs and heavy cloaks, moving about in small squads. The Northerners moved with practised efficiency, not quite as efficient as Iyrmen, Adam thought, but they moved as though they were familiar with the situation.

"What's with all the kids?" Adam asked, noting some teens nearby, who were currently being instructed by some individuals Jaygak had pointed out to him. They were those who used to fight in the tournaments, or nobles of some renown, the warriors old and grizzled, the nobles young, but disciplined.

"It's a right of passage," Jaygak explained. "They'll sign up to fight during the Twilight Month, and if they survive, most do, they are considered men and women."

"What's the survival rate like?"

"They only die if grave mistakes are made, which is extremely rare," Jaygak said.

Fate's Golden continued to assist throughout the week, with Lucy and Mara assisting with the labour, alongside Jurot. Kitool also assisted with her swiftness, while Jaygak and Adam remained beside one another, the half elf assisting with his magic.

Then it was time.

The arena was full to the brim, with all the fighters who had decided to remain, and those who won and placed. Though there were tens of thousands sitting in the crowd, and standing all around the arena, all were silent. The white snow engrossed the people, but not as much as the sight of the old man.

He was lean, speckled all over with venerability, and the only sound which echoed through the arena was his cane striking the floor as he approached the wooden stand. A pair of knight escorted him from behind. The old man was glad that the podium hid most of his body, allowing him to lean against it.

He glanced around, barely able to spot the faces ahead of him, but he raised his hand, and the cheering began, applause filling the stadium. It was as though he had won the tournament only moments ago, the hollering and the cheering. He basked in it for a long moment, before raising his shaking hand, dismissing the sounds, which petered out over the course of another long moment. One of the knights brought a small horn over, which he placed over the old man's neck.

"Is everyone. Quiet?" he asked, his voice carrying far along the breeze. "These old ears. They're not. What they. Used to be." The old man smiled, allowing the crowd to chuckle for a few moments, before they settled down. He glanced from side to side, smiling at them all.

He focused his attention upon the stand, rubbing the wood. "Northern ash. Strong." He raised his hand, clenching it weakly, smiling wider. "Northern built."

The crowd hollered at his words, shouting and clapping their hands, before falling silent.

He pointed out with a shaking finger. "S'over there. I was beaten. By the Noskan. Wind." He pointed to another spot, reliving the memory. "By the. By the." He swallowed, gathering his thoughts. "Old William. Yes. Old William." He nodded his head, smiling. "Great Boar. No. Great Bear. Then Mark. Mark. Great Wolf. Bastards. The pair. Of them. So great. They put it. In their name."

The chuckling began once more as the old man smiled, his eyes slowly gazing from side to side, before he raised his hand again.

The Grand Duchess realised Adam wasn't kidding when he said he wanted a while for his speech, but even though she received various looks, she shook her head.

"I want to thank my brother, Jurot. I can't say anything which can truly honour him, so I won't even try. Kitool, who is so scary. I want to thank Jaygak, for..." Adam shrugged his shoulders. "What can't I thank you for? Keeping me alive? I want to thank Lucy and Mara, who bear with me, even though I'm an idiot. Last, but not, well, I want to thank... I want to thank the Mad Dog, and the Bearded Dragon, Jarot and Rajin, for putting Southerners in their place earlier this year. Grandaunt Gangak, Flame Brand as some of you might know her, for being my children's favourite nano." Adam smiled cheekily. "Now, I know I took a long time, but, for the sake of all the pouches I filled, allow me one more moment. I want to thank my wife, Ray Vonda. Truly, I am the luckiest husband in the world. Thank you." Adam bowed his head, realising he had so many more people to thank, but he couldn't impose himself for too long.

The crowd cheered and clapped, though some were mostly confused, they accepted his sincerity, while Adam stepped away from the podium, only to stop.

"Oh!" Adam said. "I want to thank the Iyr, the Enchanter, and the business of United Kindom, for the opportunity that they've given me. If it wasn't for the weapon which was gifted to me by the business, I would not have done so well.

Once again, that's the business, United Kindom, which works alongside the Iyr, and has provided the Duchess Eastsea with magical items, and is currently working for the stellar, the most magnanimous Grand Duchess Blacksnow, on creating a weapon for the Knight of Death. If you have need for magical weapons, Basic or Greater, plain or Enhanced, such magical items can be bid for at all sanctioned auctions, which will also come with a token that one can redeem to procure more magical items directly from the business, sometimes creating custom, boutique weapons to your specifications. Thank you."

Then Adam quickly pulled away, approaching the noble, a much lighter set of clapping following him. He bowed his head to allow the noble to place the golden medallion upon him, partly annoyed by the gesture, before he stepped up beside Jaygak.

Jaygak smiled, and though she was about to speak up, she paused. She smiled warmly. "It was a good speech."

"I know it was bad, but thank you."

"I thought it was good."

"Then it was definitely bad."

"The ending was terrible."

"It's paying for my kid's college," Adam joked, shrugging his shoulders.

The Princess gave her own speech, speaking far more regally, but Adam only half paid attention to it. He half paid attention to most speeches, up until a particular tall, strong, handsome, long haired fellow took to the stage.

"Damrot, son of Jurot," Jurot began. "I have won for you." Jurot raised his axe, and after a moment of silence, he realised he should continue. "This weapon was granted to me by United Kindom! Without it, I, Jurot, would have found it difficult to face against such great foes. The Iyr has raised me, and I will bring it glory. Mother! I have not shamed you! Father! I have not shamed you! Grandmother! I have not shamed you! Grandfather! I have not shamed you!" Jurot paused. "Granduncle Sarot! I have not shamed you!" He paused again.

Jurot could have only come this far thanks to his family. From all those who remained in the Iyr, to the brother who had come with him all this way, even so far as sacrificing his own joy. Yes, no doubt, Adam was glad to have won the tournament, but that was nothing compared to the joy he would have enjoyed spending the last day of the year with his wife and his children, especially since it was going to be his anniversary. Adam had given it up for him, simple because he asked.

He turned slightly, ignoring everyone, but one particular young man. "Adam! I have not shamed you!"

Adam smiled slightly, feeling his heart stir. He nodded his head to his brother, who brimmed with pride, and glory.

"Pam, I have not shamed you!" Jurot paused once more. "I! Am the luckiest husband in the world!"

‘That punk...’ Adam smirked.

Jurot sauntered off to allow the noble to place the golden medallion upon him, before taking his place among those he had defeated. He closed his eyes, and thought of the sensation of victory. The man who had come second had almost defeated him, since he wielded a magical blade that dealt damage to the mind, but with his shield, and with Phantom, Jurot had managed to secure the win. He felt the tingling in his heart. ‘The sensation of victory... has not dulled.’

"Damn," Adam whispered. "That was a much better speech than mine."

"It's unfair that he's so good at speeches when he's so handsome, strong, wise, and has such a great family," Jaygak joked.

"Amen."

Once the segments for their age range concluded, the next act began, with various performers appearing on stage, while the group made their way out, waiting for their last companion.

"I am Kitool. I have not shamed my family. I thank the Iyr for raising me well, and for my companions, Jurot and Jaygak, who I grew up alongside. Lucy and Mara, who are great warriors, and I hope the world will accept your softness." Kitool then paused. "I want to thank you, Adam. You are the one who gave me this opportunity, and I will not forget it, even in death." Kitool hadn’t ever imagined she would have claimed victory in the greater segment of a tournament, especially not the Nightval Tournament.

Adam smiled, ignoring all the XP he had earned during the culmination of the speeches.

"I hope I have not shamed you, Katool. I hope I have not shamed you, Maool. I hope I have not shamed you, Minool." Kitool then bowed her head, stepping off the stage to accept her own gold medallion, to a cascade of applause and cheering which drowned out even the most cringe of thoughts of a fool of a father who thought of what his children were up to at this time, especially one who caused the most trouble.

Of course, it was that little girl.

Jirot gasped, hot potato within her mouth, her head snapping to her mother, then to her older brother. "Karot!"

"Jirot, you should eat first," Vonda said, reaching down to clean the potato which had fallen out of the girl's mouth.

"Mummy! Mummy! We have to give gift to daddy!"

"Daddy is not here."

Jirot reached up to her forehead. "Oh no!"

"Let's prepare the gift for when he returns, shall we?"

"Mummy! Karot drew the gift! He must give it today because it is Gift Giving!"

"..." Vonda blinked, and within the span of the blink, Vonda recalled the scene with her son, who pouted up towards his mother upon remembering himself. 'You remembered that?'

It was only then did Vonda truly realise the trouble her daughter could cause.

As Adam had once said to Jurot, daughters are truly the scariest.



There is one more interlude and then I'll be taking a break from uploading until Monday!

Did I make these chapters into interludes so I could end up on chapter 1000?

Yes. Yes I did.