Chương 1562: Interlude: Paragons

The purple sky greeted the Iyr, and soon the Iyrmen would greet the night sky for slumber. As the evening meals filled their tummies, the children gathered together to hear the tale, this time from the silver haired Konarot, who read one of the many tales of the Iyrmen to the children.

Kirot lay beside her, her tail swaying behind her, Karot laying on the other side of his sister, his tail also swaying behind him lightly, for this season was certainly the best season, and though the triplets were tired now, in the day they had boundless energy, so boundless that even their younger siblings were exhausted that evening.

Jirot held Virot upon her lap, the tiny girl cuddling up to her elder sister's chest, sucking on her thumb lightly, all the while Jirot brushed through her hair with the greatest of affection, holding the girl's head under her chin and to her chest, for she was the most sensible elder sister, save for Konarot and Kirot, but she had the great boon of being Virot's favourite.

Jarot held Damrot within his lap, for though he was the boy's cousin, the boy called him papa, so what could he do but spoil the boy as his own brother? During the evening, the adults relaxed, for their little ones were so well behaved, most of them, though thankfully those who were not quite so well behaved were too tired to behave not quite so well. Jogak looked out to his daughters, little Kavgak, and little Maygak, each of whom missed their elder brother so dearly.

Thankfully, Kavgak was, mostly, well behaved, and though she was stubborn as an ox, she listened well to Taygak. Tavgak and Faygak, they too, were well behaved, so adorable they were, so tender and sweet. It was a shame, however, Jogak, those with the name Gak, of his generation, of the generations past, had been unable to bring them pride in their name.

His eyes then fell upon a particular girl, blue of skin, small nubs that formed the beginnings of her horns, her dark hair, cut short, who was almost as well built as Kavgak, and yet was less than half the girl's age.

'Amalrot,' Jogak thought. Within his heart, he wondered if Amalrot joining their family could assist in rising them up, and he knew it was a guilty thought, something which would remain within his mind, unuttered. He was glad, however, for the girl would only know the glory of the Rot family, and with her build, no doubt she would become one of the greatest in history.

"Amalrot is yawning," Lanarot whispered to her mother, carrying the girl within her arms, who hugged her as she did, though the girl still strained, huffing and puffing.

"I will take her to sleep," Sonarot said, plucking the girl from her sister's arms, allowing the girl to let out a sigh, grumbling as she stretched out her small back. Unfortunately, Sonarot was unable to take her away, not until the children could say their greetings to their aunt, a habit that seemed almost alien to many of the Iyrmen around, but for the shared families of the Rot, Gak, Ool, and Kan, this had become the norm.

"The children are so affectionate," Mariyah said, sitting alongside the other elderly Iyrmen of the shared families. The woman was adorned in a breastplate, a greatsword resting upon the side of the table, and not just any greatsword, but a greatsword which had claimed the lives of many dragons, mostly from the same woman from millennia past. Her bronze skin weathered by time, her stark white hair kissed by ghosts, perhaps in her late sixties or so.

"You should know, these greatchildren of mine, are the most adorable," Jarot said, grinning wide towards the woman, who he hadn't traded blows with since long before even his first grandchild was born.

"Yayagon, did I not say it?" Tarvol asked, peeking an eye towards an Iyrman, who bowed his head. The Iyrman was thickly built, in the sense that he was slightly thicker than most Iyrmen, covering what were powerful muscles, even at his age. Yayagon recalled the amber eyes which had beamed so brightly towards the trio as they arrived, and before they could introduce themselves, the girl had already begun to demand they settle themselves and enjoy their time.

She had checked upon he group several times since they had arrived, and as the girl heard their names, recognition flashed across her eyes for a moment, though she was suddenly distracted by her greatfather, who was unable to restrain himself, showering her in affection. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

'Nano, you must make sure the guests are comfortable,' Jirot had said, holding her greatmother's wrinkled hand.

'What of your babo?' Gangak had asked.

'Nano, you are wiser than that,' the girl admonished, kissing the back of her greatmother's hand, then sauntered off as she left a speechless Mad Dog behind. Little Jarot waved at the group as he left, not realising how much hatred such an action had stirred within the trio, not for him, but those who had killed such a gentle soul, a gentle soul who was a child of the Iyr, and yet, how could they, who held such titles, be forced to remain within the Iyr?

Mariyah looked towards the Mad Dog, who she would have bet would have become, if not one of the Ten Paragons officially, would have taken the title of Paragon as he grew, and yet, decades ago, the old man had chosen to retire early. He was but thirty years old at the time when he had decided to step down, beyond that of a Master at the time, and yet, violently infamous across the land. The Rot family, in living memory, were still monsters, but they were only considered so because of this crippled old man.

The glory had paused during the next generation, though one could now place the burden upon Gorot's shoulders, but it was difficult for him alone. Except…

Although all signs pointed to the descent of such a family, and though Gorot was considered acceptable for his generation, the generation beyond his, of his nephews and nieces, of his own children, were considered to have the potential to become perhaps the singular greatest generation of the Rot family, and perhaps all Iyrman families, if one was to include a particular troublesome member, and then beyond their generation, there was still the likes of the children who were considered geniuses, for though Gorot was considered acceptable, his daughter had already claimed fortune years ago, and his own nephews were considered greater than he, even if they were officially considered Masters.

'Mad Dog, how is it always your family which causes great trouble?' As the children began to retire for the night, the children each greeting the elders as they made for bed, with Jirot and Jarot waiting for their babo and nano, but were taken away by their mother, who cuddled with them that night, while their elder siblings remained with their grandmother, who they cuddled with, leaving Amalrot to one side, and Lanarot to forgive them within her heart, just this once, for they were so cute.

"Now, why is it you have come?" Jarot asked, once they were perfectly alone.

"There is a plan to take your greatchildren out the next year," Yayagon informed, appreciating that Jarot wanted to speak of the matter swiftly, cutting off Mariyah who wished to tease the old man.

"You think I do not know?"

"Konarot, Kirot, Karot, Jirot, Jarot, these five will step out, and-," Yayagon stopped, upon seeing Jarot's eyes, which had taken him within their sights.

"Lanarot and Amalrot will step out too," the old crippled Iyrman said, having calmed himself, for how dare they come and speak to him of his family's matters to him.

"There are many who will escort the children, from my greatchildren's father, mother, uncles and aunts, to their babos and nanos, and for Lanarot and Amalrot, their granduncles and grandaunts will step out to ensure their safety."

"You should take-,""Sister Shaool will come," Jarot said, warning the trio to stay within their lane.

"Just the one?"

"Duteos, too, was once a member of the Ten Paragons."

"He is no longer."

"Should I strangle you?"

"…"

"What is it?" Jarot asked.

"The Ten Paragons should-,""What is it," Jarot repeated firmly.

"We cannot reveal too much," Tarvol finally said, for that was the most dangerous part. The Iyr's secrets were one of the reasons they could last this long, and to reveal so many great warriors, who would travel across so many towns and cities, those who were not of the Ten Paragons, who were well known, it would leave them to leaking their true strength.

"Is it the time to think of such a thing?" Jarot growled, and though they were perhaps an entire tier ahead of him, did they think he was easy to bully, this one armed, one legged Iyrman, who caused greater nightmares than any of them? Had he shown too much mercy?

"Is that truly why you have come," Gangak spoke up, partly to calm the Mad Dog down.

"Are you still wounded you were unable to step forward?"

"…"

"I wish to spoil your greatchildren," Tarvol finally said, for, due to the various laws, they had to send far more than one of them, but since, ultimately, the family could refuse, it was rather awkward. However, Tarvol also wanted to spoil the children, in his own way.

"Hmph," Jarot grumbled, but he couldn't refuse. Tarvol thought of the triplets, who had brought him bread while he was relaxing on the gate, and since they had fed him, shouldn't he return the favour?

"Mad Dog, surr-," Tarvol began, though was stopped as Yayagon grabbed onto his mouth, warning him with his eyes. The Mad Dog grinned wide, for Tarvol, though asking for death, at least knew what he should die for.