Chương 1490: [1399] – Y06.299 – Sorrowed Hearts IX

The ship was beautiful, in the sense it was built to be a ship first, and held little to no frills. It was extremely large, large enough to carry all of their carriages upon the deck. The crew numbered a few dozen at least, all busy on deck to earn all their pretty silvers. The three sails splayed wide pushed the ship ever forward, with various gems embedded within the masts, not yet glowing.

The Captain stood tall, a woman with greyed hair, half hidden by her loosely wrapped scarf, her deep blue coat trimmed with gold covered her scale, that of the sea. Her coat was unlike many coats, for it not the kind any Captain could wear. Her green eyes, sharp like a hawk's, watched over the figures that could afford their ship.

'I wonder whose kid he is,' the Captain thought, her eyes glued to the half dragon who stood tall and proud on her deck. She assumed it was part of the reason why her crew was so eager to work, to keep their minds off of the fact he could have easily been a dragon in disguise. However, it was not he who caused her heart to tremble. The sand giant remained within the centre of the ship, with a few others, each of whom did not like the sea. It was not them, however, who caused her heart to tremble.

Nor the members of Black Mountain, or the Black Lion, and nor most of those with tattoos upon their forehead, nor the half elf they coalesced around.

"She recognises your tattoo," Kitool whispered.

'Grandfather…' Jurot thought, certain it was through the Mad Dog she knew of the tattoo, since he had engraved it within the nightmares of so many figures. However, if she didn't wish to speak with him, that was up to her, though he would need to remain on guard, just in case her troubles with his grandfather ran deep.

"Are you the one who leads the group?" Captain Lira finally asked, working up the courage to step forward towards the half elf.

"I guess I do?" Adam replied.

"Technically, Mo Dunes was the one who wanted to come, and we're heading back now that our business is done, but I've taken the role of the leader, for some reason."

'…'

"I guess it's because I get us into so much trouble so my brother can keep his blade sharp?" Adam mused, considering his trouble was not quite as terrible as he thought.

"Your brother?" Lira asked, glancing aside to the half dragon, her thoughts racing, for perhaps that was how they were related? Ah? Was this half elf really a dragon in disguise then?

"Yeah, Jurot." The Captain's eyes remained upon Bael for a long moment, until they slowly retuned back to the half elf.

"The Iyrman is your brother?"

"Yes." Adam beamed, for this one the one question which didn't annoy him to answer, no matter how many times he had to answer it.

"Iyrman," she called, calling forth the nearest Iyrman, the kind with red skin and horns.

"The half elf claims his brother is an Iyrman." Laygak smiled, for how could he not smile, when the Iyr had made sure to bury the fear deep within their hearts.

"He claimed so?"

"Cousin Laygak, how could you say it that way?" Adam replied.

"For the first time, Jirot will finally take my side, because she doesn't want her father to die!"

"Adam is the brother of an Iyrman."

"How are you related to… the Mad Dog?" Lira finally asked.

"He's our grandfather."

'His grandfather?' Lira remained staring at him for a long while, but he didn't give off the aura of an Iyrman.

"How did that come to be?"

"It's a long story, but since we're out on sea for a while…" Adam began to speak his tale, summarising most of it. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. Upon listening to Adam's tale, Lira understood, the half elf was the Mad Dog's grandson. Even though he had summarised it, the half elf had alluded to a great many feats, especially when he mentioned the Orders across Floria and Aswadasad.

When she had asked Laygak to confirm, he gave an answer that was vague, which all but confirmed the half elf's words.

"How is it that you've come across such great adventures in your short time?" Lira finally asked, unable to contain her curiosity.

"Ah, well, you see, I bring trouble wherever I go," the half elf replied, without a hint of shame, smiling proudly at his great ability.

"It seems you know of my grandfather?" Lira nodded her head, and said no more, her eyes looking to a past she hadn't yet forgotten, for it was one of the first memories she had upon the sea, the bloody sight of the Iyrman who had butchered so many, then casually walked onto the ship in order to head to another town swiftly to bring down his axe upon many others. The group had managed to make their way to the next town, staying but for one night, before continuing along their way.

Lira approached the half elf, to speak how she knew of his grandfather, but as she did, a shout came from the crow's nest.

"Mulazim!" called the seabird, the member in charge of watching the waves and clouds for trouble.

"Dragons!" The group tensed up, from the likes of Brittany, all the way to the likes of Jonn, for though many did not speak the Aswadic tongue, all recognised the word. There, far in the distance, were a pair of dragons. Typically, one would try to flee, but noting the dragons and their movement, the Captain shouted, and the ship approached.

"A dragon already wounded is not a good claim," Tanagek said, his heart no longer trembling with trepidation.

"Perhaps our presence will scare one of them away?" Chosen joked, but though he joked, it was a real possibility considering the great swath of magical items in their possession. As though he were a prophet, the green dragon slipped out of the red dragon's assault, and swiftly flew towards the ship.

The red dragon chased for a moment, fire splashing all along the green scales, but as the green dragon darted towards the ship, the larger red dragon spun elegantly within the air and flew away, only for a stream of poison to follow them, but the fight was over.

The green dragon, long and slender, flew slightly above the surface of the sea, the sea spluttering against the force of its flight, and the dragon circled around the ship, and as it beat its mighty wings to slow itself, it latched onto the side of the ship, causing it to creek slightly and tip to one way, but the sand giant and crew members quickly scrambled to the other side.

Thankfully, the green dragon flapped its wings lightly, and sprawled itself across the railings, doing its best to not crack, or at least break, parts of the ship.

"Many thanks to you, seafarers, for this Taymora was in grave trouble indeed," the green dragon said, his eyes darting between seafarers, from the crew, to the half dragon, who held such a terrible scent indeed, and then the Iyrmen.

"It is good to see you in good health, Lord Taymora," Lira called out.

"If you require, we will escort you to the nearest town."

"That is most agreeable, Mulazim," Taymora replied, bowing his head, before his head swayed towards the half dragon, who smirked towards him.

"Lord Taymora, do you require healing?" Korin called. Taymora bowed his head lightly, allowing him to approach, the young man expending much of his Oathsworn healing into the dragon, Kal Uli doing the same, before Dunes approached, expending at least two of his own spells. Seeing as he still seemed to be labouring, Adam stepped forward, causing the dragon to snap his hand towards him, the half elf under his oppressive gaze.

"My brother will heal you," Jurot said.

'Brother?' Taymora narrowed his eyes, but bowed his head. Adam frowned slightly, but he approached. He placed a hand across the dragon's neck and willed his magic forth. Lay on Hands: 45 -> 25 As he felt his healing, he narrowed his eyes, certain he was a Priest, but he was actually an Oathsworn? Yet, there was something else about him, something that smelled… Ah.

"We shall be heading past your village, Lord Taymora," Jurot informed.

"Shall we escort you?"

"That would be agreeable," Taymora said, glancing aside towards Lira, leaning in, inhaling the woman's scent, for even if he forgot the name of the ship, which he wouldn't, or the appearance of the woman, which he wouldn't, he would be sure to reward the crew greatly.

"Who was the other dragon?" Adam asked.

"Zenifyr."

"The Blazing Terror?" Laygak asked.

"Yes." All those who know of Zenifyr understood Taymora had no chance against the dragon, and that he was truly lucky they had passed by.

"Hey, Jurot, didn't we meet with Lord Taymoraleaf's family?"

"Yes, Lord Gordoleaf."

"Ah!"

"The Poison Sword Dragon is his nephew," Laygak said, smirking slightly. Adam closed his eyes, remaining silent. He decided to pick up Amal, soothing his heart with her chonkiness.

"Look, Amal, it's Lord Taymora, a dragon." The girl hid her head within his shoulder, glancing back towards the dragon, before hiding again.

"Why are you so sca-,""Adam," Jurot said, warning the half elf, knowing what he was about to say, even though the half elf was speaking Aswadic.

"…"