Chương 1489: [1398] – Y06.298 – Sorrowed Hearts VIII

'How could this be?' Tiger Sword thought, noting the various sheets of paper before him. He half thought his informants were drunks, but there was no way that would be true, and since so many other patrons had confirmed the words, apparently one of her people had also asked about them. He still couldn't believe all this, however. It wasn't long before he thought to finally send for that man, for he was not so much of a tiger he could dare to ignore that particular fellow.

"If I had known it was you who had arrived, I would have hosted you and your companions," Saud said, smiling awkwardly towards the Black Lion.

"There is no need to worry," Uli replied, sipping the pink tea, so heavily spiced, sweeter than even most cakes. It was too sweet for him, but it was tea, so how could he refuse?

"What brings you to Mina al-Gabba, kal?"

"Am I not allowed to step through this town of yours?" Uli replied, glaring at the Aswadian, whose heart threatened to explode.

"Kal! How could you say such a thing? No, no, of course not, I just thought I could assist you, and though it is not my town, I hold a little influence."

"I am here to escort these figures," Uli replied simply.

"Who are such magnanimous heroes for you to escort them, kal?" Saud asked, smiling as politely as he could, for considering his information, they were quite the figures, but he wasn't sure how or why, nor their true purpose within their town, which couldn't possibly be to pass through. Was life ever so easy? Uli understood what the fellow was trying to do, especially since so many people asked around about the group.

Of course, it wasn't like he was going to stop them, especially since the group was the kind of group that brought so much trouble, however, even then, there were ways where it could go too far.

"They say a tiger within its den cannot be defeated," Uli said, staring deep into his drink, the teacup half empty.

"However, even a tiger hides under a dragon's shadow."

'Those children, are they…' Saud had heard about the Iyrmen and the children who would rise to greatness every generation. The last generation had been rather quiet, but during his time, there were countless names, the likes of Butcher Marmak, who could just glare at him to cower.

"Is the Lion King truly accompanying them?"

"Yes."

"…"

"You are living quite well," Uli accused, trying to distract the figure known as the Tiger Sword, but also to continue to oppress the old man's heart with fear.

"It's all thanks to you, kal. Without you, I wouldn't have survived the war all those years ago…" Saud swallowed, for it was true, if Uli hadn't spared the old man all those years ago, he wouldn't have been able to live. Even then, with Uli half dead, covered in his own blood, he hadn't been able to even raise his head to meet the fellow's gaze. Even now, the aura he gave off was terrifying, like a lion over a gazelle, rather than a lion standing tall against a tiger.

"I see your sister is well too."

"Since she is so wise, I assume she'll live twice as long and twice as well." Saud smiled awkwardly, for how could he have survived this long without his sister's support. Yes, perhaps it was Uli who allowed him to live, but his sister who allowed him to thrive. Uli was glad to see the man still feared him appropriately, for if he hadn't, there would have been a need to beat it into him once more. Knowing Uli remembered him, Saud would behave moderately.

His eyes scanned the room, so plush with luxury, the kind where Saud, a commoner soldier turned merchant and underworld boss, could act as though he were some kind of Faro. Saud was glad the old man had decided to leave, and didn't accept his offer to remain for some lunch, watching as the Black Lion left, adorned wholly in his armour, the kind that shielded him from most threats, and introduced threats which Saud could only kowtow before. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent.

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"Grandfather, who was that?" the girl asked, rushing up to her grandfather.

"That was my benefactor," the Tiger Sword replied, trying to work up his courage once more.

"Oh!" The girl said, looking out to the Black Lion.

"Can I become a Black Lion?"

"You will need to study so far away, and you will be unable to eat the delicious fruits of our town…"

"Oh," the girl replied.

"I will study to become a Black Tiger."

"Hehehehe, well, the Ebony Tiger is someone else already, betti," the old man replied with a chuckle, one that was full of nerves, for above even the likes of Uli, there was he, Usama.

"Not the Ebony Tiger, the Black Tiger, grandfather!" The girl huffed.

"It's a different colour!"

"It is?" The girl huffed once more, wiping her face, her eyes holding that kind of gaze, the kind of gaze that suggested she was ashamed of such ridiculous words.

"Even if your brother wields the sword, you are the scariest, betti."

"You are scary grandfather, that's why everyone respects you, so you must respect me too," the girl said, reaching up to hold his hand.

"It's now time to play the Amira game."

"Yes, betti." Thankfully, it wasn't long before the group made their way to the docks, checking on their various carriages to make sure they were strapped appropriately, a figure approached. He was tall, lean, his skin dark as night, his grin not quite as bright as the sun, his hair striped, orange with dye, grey with time, and at his sword he wore a sword, one which was slightly thinner and longer than a typical blade. He wore all black attire, with a vest of emerald green, striped with white like that of a tiger.

'I knew things were going too well,' Adam thought, bracing himself.

"I apologise for not greeting such great heroes previously," Saud said, smiling brighter, before bowing his head to Uli.

"I apologise, I was predisposed to other matters, but hearing that the grandson of Flame Brand was here, I thought to bring a sword. May I?" Laygak smiled as the old man looked towards him, turning to look at Tagak, who turned to look at Laygak, and then he furrowed his brows slightly.

"Instead of giving it to me, you should give it to Taygak," a voice said. Saud blinked, turning to face Adam. He had heard the grandson of Flame Brand was a part of the group, and then rushed his way over, having heard they were about to leave.

"You are the grandson of Flame Brand?"

"I already get this enough from my daughter, why are you bullying me too?" Adam scoffed, standing a little taller, the annoyance rising to the surface. The half elf glanced aside.

"Still, she thinks my leafshaped ears are cute, so I'll forgive her." It was then Tiger Sword could feel it. Indeed, for he recalled the play of the Amira, where his granddaughter was the kind of Amira who rode the scariest tiger of the mountain, and who was a scarier tiger than he, the kind who slew tigers every noonval for fun? Indeed, this half elf, too, was a father.

"I see. I will hand this to the young lady." Taygak accepted the sword. It was a beautiful scabbard, the kind that joined the sword perfectly, continuing its design. The scabbard itself was silver, but as she drew the blade a finger length, she noted the sword was made of quicksilver, holding waves of orange all along it, a fine blade indeed.

"Taygak, thank the good kal, since he has gifted you a sword that will one day carve your name into history," Adam said, making a promise he fully intended to keep.

"Thank you."

"Aha! You don't need to thank me, just knowing the sword will be taken care of is good enough for me!" Saud laughed, still feeling the intense pressure of the others.

"What is your name, ahm?"

"I am called Saud, but my martial title is Tiger Sword of Mina al-Gabba." Adam remained silent for a long moment, and it was then Saud could feel it, something that tickled the back of his neck, his instincts warning him.

"That's a really cool name! Why don't I have a name like that? You know what they used to call me back in Aldland? They called me Purple Adam."

"Aha? What an interesting epithet!"

"It's because I wear puthral armour." Saud blinked.

'Puthral?'

"Nowadays they call me the Crazy Father, but Tiger Sword is a much better martial title. One day I'll have a title like that."

"Haha, nephew, there is no need to rush. One day, perhaps you'll become a Master or a Grandmaster, and you will gain a fanciful title." Adam smiled, like a grandfather smiling towards a grandson's delusional dream.

"Yes, perhaps one day."

'Just who is this young man, surrounded by so many Iyrmen, who could wear such…' It was then he recalled the half elf was an Iyrman's brother.

'Did he really mean a brother?' Adam though about asking for another gift, but decided against it. After all, how could he allow someone else to out ahm him on this day?

"Ahm, thank you again for the sword. I'll be sure to remember your name, and if we ever pass by, I'll be sure to pay you a visit."

"What a kind nephew to come visit this old man," Saud replied, smiling, but he could feel an awkwardness in his heart. Just what was it? What was it about the situation which… As the ships began to sail, it was then Saud understood what it was. Even standing so close to the half elf, he wasn't able to figure out how strong he was, but at the very least, he was someone rather special.