Chương 1246: [1163] - Y06.063 - Dawnval Festival VI

Shikan poured drinks for Jogak and Tijin, who graciously hosted the pair within his shared family estate. The pair accepted the pour, the trio holding up their cups for a moment before sipping the wine. The sweet alcohol danced along their tongues and tickled the back of their throats, wetting their tongues for conversation.

"Why did she not marry him when she had the chance?" Jogak complained.

"Their children would look so adorable! With their beautiful red skin, their horns, and their cute ears! My little Jirot and Jarot, they would have loved those siblings the most! I could call them my grandchildren without any doubt!"

"Can you still doubt it even now?" Shikan asked, sipping the wine lightly still, his eyes peering curiously at the Iyrman.

"I do not, but others may."

"What does it matter if others may? You do not. They do not." Jogak grumbled quietly to himself, filling with a greater annoyance, which made sense since it was from his daughter, as usual.

"You should have seduced him when you had the chance!" Tijin smiled towards Jogak, though looked down at the dark liquid in his cup. While Jogak continued to complain about his daughter, the Iyrman thought of his own son, who had fought earlier in the year. When Timojin returned, Tijin had seen how different the boy had become. When he heard that the Iyrman had waited for the half elf at the fortress, he couldn't help but feel an immensity of pride for his son.

'You will make a great Chief,' Tijin thought, almost catching Shikan's eye, though he remained within his thought. Yet, the Timojin which had returned to him felt so different. He was always mature for his age, but this time, unlike Amokan who was still so playful, Timojin had grown quieter. Even as he drank, the Iyrman did not become more playful than even his best friend.

"I have thought about stepping outside once more," Tijin admitted once Jogak had quietened down, and after the words, Jogak fell even quieter.

'You are thinking about stepping outside once more?' Jogak thought, his eyes then slowly moving towards Shikan, noting it was the first time he had heard about it too. Tijin's thoughts fell to his son, the son who had fought in his place at the border. Timojin had remained deathly quiet for a long while upon his return, and once evening approached, the pair had finally spoken.

'I need to grow stronger,' Timojin had said, the Iyrman's eyes simmering with anger. It was that kind of anger, the kind an Iyrman knew deeply.

'When I fought, I could not defeat them.'

'You faced a great foe,' Tijin assured, having placed a hand on his son's strong shoulder.

'It is already good enough at your age.'

'No,' Timojin replied.

'I must grow stronger.' It was then Tijin understood why Rajin had beaten him so brutally, even going so far as to threaten to kill him. Just like when Tijin was that young, his father had allowed him to leave and bloom, even when it meant getting beaten. It was due to that, the Iyrman was able to reach the heights he had reached, even surpassing the likes of Shikan.

'You must have seen it too,' Tijin thought, recalling the look upon Timojin's face. The anger in his eyes, the annoyance on his face, the constant flexing of his muscles. The boy was a prodigy, one of the golden children, as the Iyr called them. Among his peers, he was part of that group that would go on to change the Iyr for the next generation. He would become the Chief, or an aide, or a great warrior, inspiring the Iyr's families, and the future Jin children.

'If you were so serious about that kind of thing, why did you become the Family Elder instead of the Chief's aide?' Tijin let out a long sigh, returning back to the present.

"If I leave, will you not be lonely by yourself?" This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Shikan smiled, noting the gleam in the Iyrman's eye, and he poured his friend a drink.

"Why would I be lonely without you?"

"Are you still jealous?"

"Why would I be jealous?"

"Your name is not sung as loudly."

"You are jealous of my relationship with the children."

"Do you think they adore you more than they adore me?" Tijin asked, his body flashed with heat, the Iyrman tensing up, as though ready to draw his blade.

"They do." Jogak's eyes darted between the pair. Though Tijin certainly had made a grander name for himself while Shikan retired earlier, it was true enough that Tijin was envious of his relationship with the twins.

"I should have taken them when I had the chance!" Tijin snarled.

"Not even I could take them from the Gaks," Shikan admitted. Jogak smiled, beaming proudly.

'Even now, they would come to…' Jogak recalled just how much Jirot liked to tease him too, just like his own daughter.

"You two! Stop showing off in front of me!"

'You are the one showing off in front of us!' the pair thought, glaring at the Iyrman, who certainly recalled just how troublesome Jirot was.

"How can you say something like that?" Tijin growled.

"Did your daughter not have the best showing?" Shikan asked.

"Showing?" Jogak asked, noting the raised brows. The Iyrman thought for a moment, before he smirked.

"My daughter is the greatest! Of course she had the best showing!" Tijin and Shikan exchanged glances between one another, before they continued to sip their wine, allowing the Iyrman to beam in pride. It had been so long since the Gak family had someone who had succeeded this well. The last time was within their living memory, having heard tales from their aunt, but Jaygak was different.

It seemed as though she would go beyond her own limits to become a Master eventually, but she had surpassed even that, and perhaps had reached even the likes of Flame Brand.

"Is Taygak leaving to Aswadasad?" Tijin asked, catching Jogak's eyes.

"She is."

"Will you join them?"

"What need of I to join them?" Jogak replied, smirking slightly.

"Who will go if you do not? Will Flame Brand? The promise has passed." Even Tijin could feel his heart stir at the thought of Flame Brand going back for revenge. After all, if it was anyone who could put the Gak family on the map, even at this time, it would be her.

"Are you so afraid?"

"After what happened to your aunt, how can I not be afraid?" Tijin replied, far too seriously for the other two. They could see how his body had suddenly shifted, his body taut and tense, like a statue.

"Are you worried history will repeat itself?" Jogak asked, keeping Tijin's gaze. He closed his eyes. He thought of his daughter, when she was small and chubby.

'Father!' the girl called through her tears, and though she cried, she held the anger upon her face.

'I will become a Master!' Jogak remained silent, squeezing the girl's hand. She had remained silent as the bodies were buried, even the one armed Mad Dog had remained silent, watching as the bodies disappeared out of sight. It had surprised him that he had remained silent, but it had also surprised him that the Mad Dog had paid as much respect to Chayrot.

'I will do it, father! You cannot stop me!' The girl managed to blubber out as her entire body shook as she sobbed.

'Okay,' Jogak had said, holding her sobbing face to his chest.

'Chayrot, what am I to do?' A year before the girl received her tattoos, she had promised her father.

'I will become a Master, or I will die trying.'

'If you cannot become a Master, it is fine. You do not have to die.'

'For this generation, it will be me.' At first, Jogak had smiled, until he realised what she had meant. It had been one of the many times he had been left speechless, but it was the only time he had felt such a chill.

"You are speaking so highly… but even Amokan placed third." Tijin and Shikan both raised their brows in surprise, the Iyrmen filling with rage, but that was only to stop themselves from bursting out into laughter.

"I did not expect to hear such a thing from you, Jo," Shikan admitted.

"What are you saying?" Tijin complained.

"At least he mentioned your son placed third."

"What can I do when my son is so amazing?" Shikan replied, his eyes full of mischief as they twinkled towards Tijin.

'Timojin! You have to win the next tournament! At least beat Amokan soon!'

"Since Jaygak has retired, we will leave it to Taygak," Jogak stated in a light tone. It was too light, revealing his nerves to the pair.

"What of Laygak?"

"Laygak does not wish to die an inglorious death."

"He could-," Tijin began, though quickly fell silent, suddenly filling with shame.

"It is a wise choice to make. Stepping back for his… younger sister." Shikan slowly bowed his head, smiling slightly at how awkward Tijin had become. Jogak poured each of them drinks.

"I will bring the wine next time. Since my daughter is succeeding so much, I should be the one to treat you."

"It feels strange to hear you say it," Shikan said.

"Yes," Tijin agreed. Jogak flushed slightly, but he smiled.

"You will become used to it soon."