Jaygak fell back, slamming the floor with the side of her fist as she shook, crying as she laughed into her hand, unable to control herself any more.

Kitool remained standing, silent and still, like a statue. Just by being in Adam’s vicinity, she felt the embarrassment wash over her.

Elder Zijin clenched his jaw tight, doing his absolute best not to fall down like Jaygak. Jaygak had always been a troublemaker, so he couldn’t laugh with her, it would only embolden her to misbehave.

Sonarot covered her mouth too, though her smile could be seen on the rest of her face.

Dunes and Jonn threw a look between one another, wondering if what they were seeing was real.

“I don’t want to be apart from my adorable little sister!” Adam declared, rubbing her cheek with his own still. “I didn’t come back last time, but this time I kept my promise.” He continued to hug her tight, swaying as he hugged her. She was so hot to the touch, and though she was a little heavier than last time, she still was so small and light. Her scent was the same as back then, almost milky. “I even brought back lots of gifts for you to show off to your friends.”

Quest Complete: Promises Kept
XP Gained: +100
XP: 5670 -> 5770

Adam, though he had been half joking about quitting Adventuring, shut his eyes tight. He brushed the back of the tiny girl’s hair. “You don’t have to worry about me this time, okay?” he whispered, though Sonarot and Elder Zijin were close enough to hear.

Sonarot stared at the boy, rubbing her cheek. ‘What a cute little Nephew I have.’ She smiled wide. “If you quite being an Adventurer, you will be unable to bring back gifts for your little sister.”

“I’ll just work another way to make gold,” Adam said, still swaying with Lanarot in his arms. “I won’t abandon you, my sweet little Lanarot. We can play every day!”

“What of my Jurot?” Sonarot asked. “Will you let him go adventure without you by his side?” She brushed her son’s hair.

“No,” Adam said, feigning a pout. “Though, I really don’t want to miss Lanarot’s achievements. I want to watch over her too.” Adam’s heart ached as he stared down at the little girl, who was happy at all the attention, staring between everyone before her.

“Then you can just quest slowly,” Sonarot said, brushing Adam’s hair. “There are much work to do with South Aldland which will keep most Adventurers happy.”

Adam nodded his head. “I’ll have a proper talk with the party about everything.” He nuzzled Lanarot’s nose, causing her to twitch away from him and then clap her hands together and she continued to giggle.

Adam turned to see Jonn and Dunes, who had hardened their hearts. They had seen Adam do so many ridiculous things, that they no longer could be surprised.

Brittany had been confused for the past long while, having remained so still and pale, she might have been a statue. ‘They killed two Dragons? No, not just two Dragons, but so many other things too. Now he wants to quite being an Adventurer? What is going on?’

“Oh right,” Adam said, staring at them. “I need to deal with you guys too.” Adam handed Lanarot to Jurot. “You need to look after your sister too.”

Jurot held her close to his chest, and Lanarot stared up at him, smiling up at her older brother. Jurot’s heart was thundering in his chest, but he still wasn’t sure why.

“Now that I think about it…” Adam said, staring at Brittany, who remained frozen, her eyes wide as she stared at the Half Elf. “I’m actually no good at fighting gracefully. You’ll probably have to practise by yourself mostly.”

“I can do that,” she said, her throat raspy as she found it difficult to speak.

“I guess I should get you some armour too,” Adam thought. ‘Studded leather armour probably isn’t expensive.’

“If it’s fighting gracefully, I can assist,” Kitool said.

“Oh,” Adam said, staring at the woman. “Would you be willing to help?”

“It seems she will be a future member of our party, so I should assist in her growth,” Kitool said.

“You’re the best, Kitool,” Adam said, smiling wide. “If it’s you, then I can trust her training.”

“I am able to use a few weapons, but not all of them,” Kitool said. “I assume you are wishing for her to be trained in the shortbow, shortsword, and dagger mostly?”

“You know it,” Adam said, nodding his head.

She bowed her head. “I will be able to assist her.”

“You guys are staff users, right? You could teach her the staff too.”

“The way of using the staff in my family would not suit her, not unless you wish for her to follow the same path as I.”

“I was thinking she’d be something like a Rogue, someone who will remain stealthy and fight from afar with a bow, and find traps and such…” Adam then looked at the Iyrmen. “Though, I guess, you guys are pretty good at all that too.”

“I will train her to the best of my ability, though there may be times when someone else may need to assist,” she said, looking to Jurot, whose eyes were glued to his little sister.

“Alright, well I feel bad if I make you guys do everything. I’ll pay for everything, so if you need any money for training, come to me.”

“Since she is training in the Iyr,” Kitool said, looking to Elder Zijin.

“What trouble you’re all causing,” Elder Zijin said, his mouth growing into a wide smile. “Since it’s my dear niece asking, then I’ll have to think about it deeply.”

Kitool bowed her head.

“I will do my best,” Brittany said.

With that, the various families returned to their homes, with the children remaining with Citool, who was currently watching over them.

Elder Zijin disappeared for a short while, before returning with a small crew of Iyrmen, who were carrying a wooden shack between them.

“What are you guys doing?” Adam asked.

“Since the Rot family has Guests, they need to be taken care of,” Elder Zijin said.

“Oh, right,” Adam said, rubbing the side of his neck. “Sorry for being a bother.”

“It’s no bother,” Sonarot said, patting his back. “You are a Nephew of mine, so why must you act like a stranger?” She pulled him in for another hug.

Adam remained in the hug, blushing slightly. “Right, well, uh, thanks.”

Brittany glanced around at all the Iyrmen. She hadn’t expected there to be so many, though she wasn’t sure what she had been expecting.

A soft rain fell over the Iyr, though that didn’t stop the Iyrmen from going about their duties. A small shelter was made at the centre of the courtyard, where the various families had gathered. Jogak and Shikan had returned from their duties, and Citool and Sonarot had finished with making the meal.

“Where’s Turot?” Adam asked, finally asking what was on his mind now that everything had calmed down.

“He has gone to the Range,” Sonarot said.

Jurot, who had been preparing the story in his mind, turned to face his mother. “So soon?”

“Brother was quite adamant about it.”

“Range?” Adam asked.

“It is something all Iyrmen experience, but usually between the ages of eight and ten,” Jurot said. “It is when…” His eyes fell to his mother.

“I am uncertain if we are allowed to tell you,” Sonarot admitted, before patting his head. “Just know that Turot is off having lots of fun.”

“Then I suppose I’ll have to wait on giving him his gifts,” Adam said, frowning. “Well, since he’s having fun, it should be alright.”

“You slew a Dragon?” Jogak asked, staring at his daughter.

“I helped,” she said, smiling wide up at him.

Jogak’s eyes fell to Adam, narrowing them suspiciously. ‘I knew you were a bad influence on my daughter. To think she’d lie to me…’

“You’re thinking that he’s a bad influence and that I’m lying to you, aren’t you?” she said, narrowing her eyes up at her father suspiciously.

“You’d say it was a joke or a prank,” he replied, grabbing her to noogie her. “To think you still haven’t learned!”

“Just you wait!” Jaygak grumbled, trying to grab his arm to pull him off. “Once you find out the truth, I’m going to noogie you.”

Shikan stared at the Half Elf, who had brought back his nieces and nephew so many gifts. ‘He’s such a suspicious young man, but at least he’s doing things properly.’ Then his eyes fell to the three strangers. ‘I hope.’

Jurot slapped a drum three times from nearby, causing all the Iyrmen to quieten down. The children, who had been talking about their gifts and what they had done to them, had fallen silent instantly, their eyes falling on Jurot.

“This is the tale of the Formation of Fate’s Golden, and the chaos which ensued on that day,” Jurot said, beginning with the first part of the tale.

 

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Sometimes I think of the other Lanarot and it hurts my heart.