Chương 1227: [1146] - Y06.046 - Passing Nights I

"You would like them," Tanagek said, pouring his younger brother a drink, before pouring himself a drink under the stars. The young Iyrman was illuminated by the magical lantern in the night, the gem glowing faintly. He sipped the peach wine, his cousin's favourite, feeling the warmth fill him.

"Konarot is responsible, and she likes to play dragon chess with father. Kirot is quiet, but she helps her older sister with her responsibilities. Karot… he reminds me of you." Tanagek sat before the marker set within the earth, carved from a dark gem, engraved with a name and a set of dates. The young Iyrman poured himself another cup, drinking away as he continued to speak of what his brother had missed, and about all the children born by the time he had returned.

"They would have liked you," Tanagek said, reaching up to cover his eyes.

"You should have at least said hello to them before you left." The young Iyrman fell asleep before the grave while his father sat off to one side upon a bench. Tonagek had come to speak to his son, but seeing as his elder brother had arrived before him, he allowed the brothers their time together. Once he had placed a blanket over his son's shoulders, he returned to the bench to fall asleep.

As the sun's rays fell upon the Iyr early in the morning, Adam began his morning routine, taking his younger cousins along with him. He noticed Jaygak was missing, and realised he hadn't seen Raygak and Saygak in a long while either. He was surprised to see Kitool wasn't missing, but decided against mentioning anything, since the Iyr was probably rather busy with all the Reavers about.

"Look at you!" Adam planted a firm kiss on his son's forehead, the boy squirming within his father's arms, beaming up with such delight.

"You silly boy! Who gave you permission to be cute?"

"I did," Jirot stated, the girl narrowing her eyes at her father.

"Xarot is not a silly boy, he is a good boy!"

"Ah? Is that right?" Adam asked, his eyes peering curiously as his daughter, who glared at the half elf.

'She slept so much better and now she's bullying her father so brutally? I suppose I'll have to forgive her, just this once, since she's so cute.'

"Yes!" Jirot snapped, huffing towards her father.

'How you can say such things about my good little papa?' Xarot opened his mouth to allow his father to feed him, the boy sucking the blended fruit off the spoon. Monarot also ate from her father's hand, Jurot scooping some blended fruit into her mouth, though the girl reached out for the sliced banana, trying to grab at it. Unfortunately for her she easily crushed it between her fingers.

"You are too strong," Jurot said.

"It is the curse of being my daughter." Jirot gasped, her mouth forming a circle as the girl slapped her knee and began to cackle like an old man, her eyes shooting to the older Jarot, who howled deeper in laughter, since she had mimicked his exact reaction to the beat. Pam's lips formed a coy smile, her eyes falling upon her husband's face.

'He has corrupted you too?'

"It's annoying that you're so strong, smart, handsome, funny, and have such adorable children," Adam grumbled, the half elf bringing Xarot up to kiss the boy's cheek, and the boy kissed his father excitedly, getting his saliva and food all over the half elf's cheek.

"In some ways, you are smarter than me," Jurot said.

"Yeah? Like how?"

"I am certain it is true, but it is difficult to think of it at this moment," Jurot said.

"It may take me some time to think of it too," Kitool said.

"Damn, you guys are so brutal. I understand it from Kitool, since she's jealous she doesn't have a beautiful wife and adorable children, but Jurot… I guess since Jirot doesn't bully you as much as she bullies me, you're jealous?"

"I do not bully…" Jirot closed her eyes, wincing slightly, since she couldn't lie about something so obvious. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Adam's eyes darted to Vonda, who let out a sigh, with Adam's obvious flirting causing her to roll her eyes, before she caught Adam's gaze. She raised her brows at the half elf, who wiggled his own in return.

"If you are going to flirt so obviously in front of me, at least give me another greatchild!" the older Jarot snarled, reaching out to little Jarot's head, rubbing it gently.

"Do you wish for another brother or a sister?"

"Mmm… both?" little Jarot asked.

"Do not look at me with such hopeful eyes, look to your mother and your father!" The older Iyrman cackled.

"Mummy…" Little Jarot's eyes pierced Vonda, the woman reaching out to wipe his face clean.

"Daddy, I can have one more papa?" Jirot asked.

"It looks like your father will have to work hard in the day and the night," Adam said, doing his best not to burst into laughter.

"I will help you, daddy!"

"You can help me during the day."

"I can help in the day and I can help-,""Ope!" Adam said, covering his daughter's mouth, before lifting her up and tossing her into the air.

"If you want to help me, then I need to be alone with mummy all night long." Jirot gasped.

"No! She is my mummy! You cannot steal mummy, daddy! What are you saying?"

"Do you want a papa or not?"

"You! Daddy! You are first place! How you cannot do this?" Adam blinked, letting the girl down, who huffed up at him, widening her stance, though she remained as small as ever. As always, Jirot, like her mother, was right.

"Dear… I'll figure something out." Jirot reached up to her father's knee and pat it gently.

"Since you are so smart, you can do it. I believe in you, daddy."

'Even though you bully me the most, you also adore me the most, don't you?' Adam looked to the rest of his children, realising that, outside of his youngest three, all the others adored him so much.

'I'm the luckiest dad alive.' Though Adam wished to spend more of his time with his family, the half elf went right to work, ready to enchant Greater magical weapons for the Iyr. At the Front Iyr, Bael yawned, feeling the heaviness set within his body.

'I've been awake for a few years now…' The half dragon, who was definitely a dragon, made his rounds around the Front Iyr, taking a walk to stretch his legs. He noted the various Iyrmen who kept an eye on him, especially those who reeked of death.

'I should take a nap.' The Iyr had been nice enough to allow him to remain within a guest estate, large and expansive, engraved with all manner of runes which allowed the half dragon his privacy. He wasn't sure if he was completely hidden away from all prying eyes, but the typical Iyrmen would have difficult to peek within, at least. There was another who was escorted to her own estate. She was darker of skin, like those of East Port or parts of Aswadasad, or those beyond, with black hair and dark eyes.

The woman wore the attire lent to her from the Iyr, those which allowed the Iyr to move freely for work and for battle. At her side she wore a blade, but it was her companion beside her which was her most powerful defence.

"Can you believe it?" the woman asked in a tongue that was from far east. Siten, adorned head to heel in black, did not reply. He remained silent as ever, and as still as a statue. His four blades, two upon his back| and two at his side, remained within arms reach at all times.

"The Reavers…" Jasmine let out a long sigh. Within the last few years of her life, she had suffered through a war from one enemy, and travelled through the lands engulfed by other wars. For the ejirate to be engulfed in war, that was not a deep surprise, but for Aswadasad of all countries to fall into a civil war, it was unimaginable. The name of Aswabayad had been revived, and as it did, Floria had returned to the world too.

One war against a cultish empire, a second and third set of civil wars bringing back names long buried to history, and a fourth war against myths that should remain buried to history. A knock at the gate called her attention, and the woman sat up quickly as Elder Lykan called out to her. As the Elder entered, with her permission, he bowed his head, while his aides took watch outside the gate.

"I hope the estate is to your standards, Lady Jasmine," Elder Lykan said.

"It is." Lykan's eyes fell down to the Lady for a moment, the woman his children's age, then his eyes fell to Siten, who was hidden from his keen eyes, though nothing escaped the eyes of the Iyr upon their own land.

"I wish I could show you greater gratitude, but at this moment…"

"You are considered under our protection now, due to our word with the President, who guarantees your life," Elder Lykan replied simply.

"Yours, and… its."

"His," Jasmine corrected.

"He is my friend." Elder Lykan bowed his head.

"I am sorry. I meant no offence."

"I know, and there is none taken," Jasmine assured.

"Thank you again, for your assistance last year, Lady Jasmine, Siten."

"Our assistance?"

"If not for Siten's blades, a third child may have passed." Lady Jasmine swallowed, bowing her head lightly. The relief suddenly rushed into her heart, the dam of stress within her heart bursting.

"It was our honour." Elder Lykan bowed his head.

"While the Reavers ravage the land, we will keep you safe. When they leave, you may remain within our protection."

"The tales of the Iyr's honour were always so grand, but I fear, they were not as grand as they should be." Elder Lykan smiled, nodding his head to the woman.

"I shall assign a few Iyrmen to you to assist you."

"I thank you, but… I am no longer…" Jasmine buried her hopes.

"Consider it a courtesy, and for your safety, just in case."

"Thank you."