“I have,” Sir Dorian said.

“There was a time when a King of Aldland executed an Iyrman,” Sir Merrick said.

“Three,” said the Iyrmen, and the Half Elf who had been poking fun of the Knight.

“Excuse me?” Sir Merrick asked.

“It wasn’t one Iyrman which was killed that day,” Aizaban said. “It was three. Akrat. Timothy. The unborn child.” Her eyes flashed dark towards the Knight. Of course Aldland had their own version of the story, at least, those who actually dared to speak the tale.

“Right,” Sir Merrick said, clearing his throat. “The King executed the three Iyrmen for treason-“

“King Solomon the Wise executed the Iyrmen because they dared to break a law in the capital city, which was to step into the inner city with their weapons,” Aizaban said, her voice firm and clear.

“Iyrmen cannot commit treason within Aldland, because we are not Aldish,” Lanban said.

“We are Iyrmen, and have never been, aren’t, and will never be, under Aldish rule.”

It was quite rude to interrupt someone during their tale, but it was far ruder to lie about Iyrmen, and so the Iyrmen had to correct the matters.

“Right,” Sir Merrick said. “The King had executed the Iyrmen under the pretext of treason, and thus began to the war between Aldland and the Iyr.”

“You’re missing quite a lot of context,” Adam said. “That particular tale is one that was told to me on my way to the Iyr. I noticed how you downplayed what the King had done, so perhaps I should speak what I heard, and we can see if it matches with what you said, even though you were already shown to be… missing a few details.”

Adam had almost called the man a liar, but he realised he couldn’t make every Knight mad. Sir Merrick was someone from Red Oak, and Red Oak was going to be one of the few places he wanted to be welcomed in, even if they did hate his pointed ears.

Adam glanced towards Sir Harvey. ‘Oh, right. I should probably be nicer to him too.’

Adam cleared his throat. “The Iyrmen and the Kingdom had signed a very specific treaty, one which was pretty much the same as which we had mentioned. The Iyrmen and the Kingdom had been at war for so long, before the first real King of Aldland formed a treaty with the Iyrmen, and had united the land, save for the Iyrmen, into his Kingdom.”

“Many years later, there was an issue to the north, a dragon and their Kingdom which had gone to war. During this war, the King went to battle, and he fought well, but it was the Iyrmen which drove back the dragon before an Iyrman, a very specific Iyrman, killed the dragon, with the help of the Royal Guard which had gone with him.”

Adam narrowed his eyes. “Do you remember the name of the Iyrman, Sir Merrick?”

“I believe it was Akrat,” Sir Merrick said.

“Son of Ikrat,” Adam said, nodding his head. “Do you recall the name of the young Iyrman who was executed by the King?”

“I believe it was Akrat,” Sir Merrick said.

“Son of Ikrat,” Adam said, nodding his head. “Funny that, they seem to have the same name. The King captured Akrat, and called for his execution. The King was warned that he should not break the treaty, but he still broke it, because he thought he could get away with it. So, when the King broke the treaty which his grandfather had signed, what happened?”

“The Iyrmen came, slaughtering villages, and wiped out several towns,” Sir Merrick said. “Red Oak was under siege too, for some time.”

“Yes,” Adam said. “Then the King met for battle, his forces outnumbering the Iyrmen five to one, or so. The Iyrmen brought their oldest, and the King’s force was full of young men, and those in the prime of their life. Then they duelled, ten of the greatest warriors from each side, and yet, none of the Iyrmen lost. So the King, looking to the elderly Iyrmen he outnumbered, surrendered.”

“What a preposterous story,” Sir Dorian said, staring at the Half Elf. “Do you expect me to believe that?”

“Sir Merrick, isn’t that the tale?” Adam asked. “Or have I spoken a lie during my recount?”

“I did not hear that the Iyrmen brought their old, nor that they were outnumbered.” Sir Merrick had heard the tale before, but there were a few statements Adam made which he hadn’t heard before.

“That is not the tale I have heard,” Sir Dorian said.

“It is known as the Second Blackwater Crisis in your lands,” Jurot said. “The Second Blackwater Crisis is what occurred later, when the treaty was remade, though you know of it as the Third Blackwater Crisis.”

“The tale which I have heard is that of the war between giants and the Kingdom,” Sir Dorian admitted.

“First Frost War,” Jurot said, nodding his head. “We know of it.”

“I’ve never heard your tale before,” Sir Dorian said, glancing towards Sir Merrick. “It must be a tall tale of the Iyr. Who would believe such madness?”

“We Iyrmen do not lie,” Jurot said.

“Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it,” Adam said, staring at the Knight. “You should figure it out before you go around swinging your sword, or you’ll make a grave mistake.”

Sir Dorian narrowed his eyes at the Half Elf. “As if I’d believe the words of a Half Elf. It’s a lovely tale to tell to the Iyrmen children, but the Iyrmen should be careful.”

“We still possess the ancient sword of Kal Blakvatr, Drakkenslayer,” Jurot said, though noted the looks from both Aizaban and Lanban.

“I very much doubt it,” Sir Dorian said. “The Blacksword remains at the King’s side, as it always has.”

“That was not the original blade of your King’s family,” Jurot said. “That was a blade won by the King’s Sword of the time during the Blackwater Crisis.”

Sir Dorian shook his head. “As I have said, Iyrman, it was a lovely tale to tell your children.”

Jurot narrowed his eyes, clenching his fists. “We Iyrmen do not lie.”

“The story is true enough,” Paul said, glancing to Sir Merrick and Sir Enna. “I’m sure you two know about the tale, considering your towns.”

“I’ve heard the tale well enough, though it appears I don’t know it was well as the Iyrmen,” Sir Merrick said. “Red Oak was one of the first territories to reach out to the Iyrmen, so we know some of their most popular tales, though I’m sure there are differences between what is told in our walls and the walls of the Iyr.”

“I’ve heard the tale too,” Sir Enna said, her voice low. “We understand that though the King can raise a few hundred thousand soldiers, the greatest fighting force is that of the Iyrmen.”

Adam smiled.

“The greatest fighting force is the Iyrmen?” Sir Dorian repeated. “Impossible.”

“Impossible?” Adam asked.

“Sir Dorian, you are a great warrior, one of the best in your entire town, but could you defeat me?” Sir Merrick asked.

“I cannot,” Sir Dorian admitted. “I would dare not suggest I could.”

“I am the Seventh Branch of the Oakguard, one of the top fifteen warriors in the entirety of Red Oak,” Sir Merrick said, glancing towards Paul. “If I were to face either of the Silver Rank Iyrmen before us, I am certain I would lose.”

Sir Enna nodded her head. “I would bet on the Iyrmen too, even if I were to face them.”

“The average Iyrman is about as powerful as you, Sir Dorian,” Sir Merrick said. “You should be careful.”

Sir Dorian stared at Sir Merrick. “That is impossible, isn’t it? I am an Expert, and I could defeat most warriors in this land, though I am certainly lacking in comparison to you.”

“Do you know how many Mithril Rank and Gold Rank Adventurers are in the Iyr?" Sir Merrick asked. “There are very few who retire in Red Oak, in fact, I’m certain there are none currently, but in the lands beyond ours, many Iyrmen never return, some of them still living, and most Steel Rank or higher.”

“Adventurers are Adventurers,” Sir Dorian said. “They are no match for Knights.”

Jurot stood, clenching his fists tight as he glared down at the Knight.

“Sit down,” Aizaban said, causing Jurot to drop immediately. “Do not be bothered by an ignorant boy’s claims.”

“You should be careful, Iyrman,” Sir Dorian said, glaring at Aizaban.

Adam raised his brows. ‘Did I find someone more foolish than me?’ He almost let slip a smile.

“Why should I be careful?” Aizaban asked.

“If you spit on my pride as a Knight, I will have to challenge you to a duel,” Sir Dorian said.

“You have called we Iyrmen liars, and you are saying we spit on your pride?” Aizaban tilted her head, mockingly. She ignored the look Paul had thrown her way, instead smirking at the Knight.

“There is nothing wrong with lying to your young in order to bring praise to your ancestors, but we should be careful not to spread such untruths to the rest of the world.”

Jurot stood again. “If you will continue to shame us with your words, then I will accept your challenge.”

Adam stood too, which caused the Knights to stand up, followed by the rest of the Iyrmen, and finally Dunes, who was a part of Fate’s Golden, and had been listening intently to the conversation.

Dunes and Sir Frederick had been enjoying the tale, one which they had heard before. Dunes, being a Priest of Arya, had heard a tale most similar to Adam’s, and Sir Frederick, from Eagle Wing, had heard a different tale.

“Enough!” Sir Harvey called, remaining one of the three sitting. “I said enough, damn it! If you two keep acting up, I will kick the pair of you out!”

“What did I do?” Adam asked innocently.

“You started this by calling him a fool,” Sir Harvey said.

"He started it by acting like one."

"It was unprovoked."

"So was him trying to draw his sword against me."

"Enough!” Sir Harvey shouted. “This will be the last time, do you understand?” The High Alchemist’s eyes fell to Paul. “You were the one to vouch for him, Vice Master.”

“Now you’re trying to blame Paul?” Adam said, before recalling Paul’s title. “The Vice Master, really? Which, definitely not a fool, was the one to bring along someone who had the balls to call an Iyrman a liar after being warned?”

"You!” Sir Harvey growled, before he stood and clutched his walking stick tightly. “Didn’t I already warn you?”

“Why didn’t you open your trap when someone was calling an Iyrman a liar?" Adam asked, raising his brow. "You are so happy to defend some foolish Knight, but not the savage Iyrmen, is that right?"

"It is no crime to call an Iyrman a liar," Sir Harvey said.

"Even though Aizaban was trying to stop the situation from escalating, you didn't open your mouth to stop the fool you brought along from continuing the fight!" Adam declared.

"Dishonouring a Noble typically means death,” Sir Harvey said. “I have been tolerant enough.”

"Do you think I'll just sit down all quiet when most of my party is made up of Iyrmen?” Adam asked. “Have you forgotten that most of the people here are Iyrmen too?"

Sir Harvey glanced around quickly, swallowing slightly. He looked to Paul, who would remain neutral for now.

"Due to the King’s Law, all these Iyrmen could slay the lot of you, and they’d go home to be judged,” Adam warned. “What would the Iyr do when they hear that their people were being slandered and a great Sir of Red Oak allowed it to happen? What do you think their punishment would be if they state they were defending their honour? I’m sure it’d be the same if Sir Dorian slew me and stated the same thing.

"They would never be able to leave the Iyr," Sir Harvey said.

"The Iyr is such a lovely place, but what about the after life?" Adam asked. "Are you in such a rush to die?"

The Vice Master finally sighed. “We should stop here,” he said in the Iyrman’s tongue.

The Iyrman, and Adam, dropped down.

"Do you really think-" Sir Harvey began.

"Yes," Paul said. "I really do think it can, and will, end here after everything that's happened.”

The Vice Master rubbed his forehead, shaking his head. “Do you know how much paperwork I would be swamped under having to explain the deaths of four Nobles? I would lose my position, and I’d have to retire to the Iyr.” He paused, thinking about how lovely that sounded. “I’m still too young for that.”

To him, it was pretty evident who would lose the battle, and the Iyrmen had no qualms about killing any of the Knights, nor the High Alchemist if he was going to shame them.

All the while, Jonn remained sitting, having been watching the entire time. ‘This Half Elf is fucking crazy! He really had the balls to piss of a bunch of Nobles to their faces?’ He was stone faced under his mask, but his entire body had been tense.

 

---

Click banner for Patreon and come join my Discord too!

---

Sometimes I have to make decisions.

"I know some of these npcs are stupid and arrogant, but at the same time, there are some who aren't stupid and arrogant."

I know you were waiting for them to die, because I was too.