[1069] – Y05.069 – Birthdays II

[1069] – Y05.069 – Birthdays II

Little Murot hugged his elder sister tightly, so tightly, Adam was sure Nirot was going to explode. The boy chortled with a ballad joy, it almost washed away the guilt within the young Iyrman. She lifted the boy up with ease, holding his round form above her, causing Murot to clap excitedly.

“Kaka! Kaka!”

“I have returned,” Nirot said, having delayed her return to the shared estate until her brother’s birthday, upon the first day of the ninth month, the last month of duskval. She pulled him close to her chest, brushing the back of his head, feeling how thick his hair had grown. “Have you eaten?”

“Porridge, and fruit, and cips.”

“Cips?”

“Cips,” the boy say. “Bahbeko cips.”

“Barbecue crisps,” Adam explained. “I thought he might want something bursting with flavour since he was eating some pretty plain stuff, before uncle Bam here brought over some jam donuts.”

Bam sat to one side, lost within his thoughts, even when his name had been called. He kept replaying the scenes over in his mind, Jarot rejecting everything he made, only ever smelling the food, sometimes touching it with his hands.

Nirot nuzzled against her brother’s cheek. She and the other teens had gone to the fort while Adam was busy, having thought they could use the opportunity to try and find a way to go out to fight. She held Murot within her arms, still unable to bear looking at the twins, or the little red skinned toddler.

Murot twitched within his sister’s arms, his eyes glued to the man who was walked in. He was lean, with shoulder length hair, and carried a large blade upon his back with a serrated edge, like shark teeth. The man reached out his hands, and his daughter passed along his youngest son to him.

‘You could message her father,’ Rajin had said that evening.

‘Yeah, but...’ Adam had replied, falling into thought. It was then the next words escaped his lips as part of the spell. ‘Granduncle.’

Gorot still wasn’t sure what Adam had told Kamrot, especially considering how the old man had threatened to cut his neck clean off. His blade had barely managed to save him as the old man almost cut him down where he stood out of the blue. It was the grief, however, which had caused him to return with the young Iyrmen, from Naqokan to Faool.

“Daddy...” Gurot looked up to his father.

“Come,” Gorot called, lifting his eldest son up, the pair of boys a year apart, and yet they were almost identical in how much they enjoyed eating. He held them close to his chest, allowing them to hug him tight, clutching at his tunic.

Adam approached the shared family estate beside their own, finding little Tinajin, the girl’s curly hair flowing out like the sun,

“No magical weapon this time,” Adam assured, holding out a small amber for the girl.

“Is it an amber this year?” Tijin joked.

“This year,” Adam confirmed. “I’m afraid I could only return Uwajin this time, and not Timojin, but I’ll be sure to give him a good talking to when I next see him, okay, Tinajin?”

The girl blinked at the half elf, before glancing towards her father, reaching out for his hand.

“Do not turn away, Tinajin,” Tijin said, holding the girl’s hand with his finger and thumb. “He is Adam, Mokan’s cousin.”

“Mo kaza?” Tinajin asked.

“Yes.”

“I’m glad you’re growing well, Tinajin.” Adam flashed a smile, before waving his hand to the rest of the Iyrmen, including Rajin.

Adam continued to spoil the children, with Faool feeding Maool, Naqokan holding Minakan, then visiting Majin and Mijin, who were named confusingly, considering their family’s typical favourite vowels. He sat down and read to Majin personally.

“You fight dragons?” the boy asked.

“I did.”

“My papa not fight dragons?”

“I don’t know, but he’s very strong.”

Majin smiled, glancing down at the book, before swiping his hand through his hair. “Papa is coming back soon?”

“Do you want me to ask him?”

The boy nodded.

“If that’s what my cousin wants,” Adam assured, the half elf feeding the birthday children. He snuck some food for Murot too, but Gurot began sharing some food with his younger brother by himself. ‘How adorable!’

Turot and Asorot both watched as the half elf fed their younger brother, and like when he had fed Murot, they said nothing though they wanted to feed their brother too.

Adam made his way to the Gek family estate around noon, finding his uncle there, who glanced over towards him, and the trio who rushed up to him.

“Sorry, but they were a little upset because I didn’t bring them last time,” Adam said.

“You do not need to apologise,” Tonagek replied, hugging each of the triplets, before allowing them to take their place beside him.

“Do you mind if I give my gift and go?” Adam whispered. “I need to get to work.”

“You may,” Tonagek said, standing up, his eyes shooting to the side, to a figure who remained still and motionless, almost like a statue.

Adam handed Danagek a gem, picking the boy up, groaning. “Oof! They’re feeding you well, eh?”

“Yes,” Danagek replied with a smile.

Adam hugged the boy, before letting him down. “You make sure you eat as much as you want today, and if anyone tells you off, you tell me, and I’ll tell cousin Jurot, okay?”

“Okay!”

“I will escort you,” Tonagek said. “Konarot, Kirot, Karot. Your grandaunt will watch over for you now.”

“Nana?”

“Yes,” Tonagek assured, bowing his head over towards his wife. “I will return soon.”

“Okay...”

Dogek watched them go, noting how sick the young half elf looked. He hadn’t known the boy had become beset by such a sickness. Adam was like the picture of feebleness.

Adam didn’t speak up as the Iyrman took him in a particular direction. They came across the extended family estate of a particular family, and as Adam’s eyes darted to the corner, he realised why. “This is awkward.”

“It is?” Tonagek asked.

“I already sent my gift to the business.”

“She has received it,” Tonagek said, as though he knew.

Adam approached the Mir family estate, glancing down at the children, waving his hands, before greeting the appropriate pair first. “I’m surprised to see you here.”

“We have only just arrived,” Amira said, while Ranya stared curiously at the half elf. She was adorned in red, with yellow trim. Her hair had been freshly cut so she was bald, but Adam had made sure to send a gem to her too, which should have been more than enough for the girl’s first birthday.

“Happy birthday to you,” Adam said, dropping down to a knee, holding her hand, rubbing it gently. “Did daddy say happy birthday too?”

"Aba!” The girl squealed, before looking around, unable to find her father. She spotted Ashmir and the girl hid behind her mother.

“Oh my! You can talk already? Aren’t you so smart!” Adam tickled the girl’s cheek, causing her to squeal and retreat behind her mother further, Adam making sure she didn’t accidentally knee her mother’s stomach. “Where is he anyway?”

“Returning to the business,” Amira replied. “He wished for Ranya to meet her family, but did not wish to be away from the business for too long.”

Adam glanced around at the Mir family, noting their eyes upon him, then upon the others. Ashmir bowed his head to the half elf, who returned a bow. ‘I guess he made his decision about Ashmir then?’

“I don’t want to take up too much of your time,” Adam said, tickling the girl’s nose once more, before stepping back. “Let me know if you need anything.”

“I need you to tell Dunes not to have me move so much while I’m pregnant,” Amira said.

“If you can’t stop him, there’s no chance in me stopping him,” Adam joked. “I’ll let him know, though.”

Amira smiled slightly, but Adam didn’t note the sadness within her smile, as he waved and said his goodbyes to the Mir family. His steps were a little quicker, and though he was still feeling the ache within his body from Awakening Jirot, the joy in his heart forced it away. Ranya was the last child he needed to say happy birthday to, until it was the seventh day of the ninth month.



I miss Ranya.