English Novel
[912] – Y04.012 – Red Oak I
[912] – Y04.012 – Red Oak I
Victory!
XP Gained+ 500
XP: 3 800 -> 4 300
“Thank you, Adam,” Vonda said, reaching out to hold his hand.
“For what?”
“For not killing.”
Adam frowned. “Am I the kind of guy you need to thank for not killing?”
Vonda intertwined their fingers, brushing her thumb along his. “You also spoke with the Iyrmen.”
“Yeah?” Adam glanced towards his wife, whose smile shone so brightly. “Of course, anything for you.” He turned a deep crimson, reaching up to hide his smile behind his fist. ‘Whoa. My wife is so strong and so beautiful! I’m definitely the luckiest guy alive! I really want to not kill a dragon right now! Damn it!’
Vonda kept brushing her thumb along his, before the Commander approached the pair, noting how intimate they were.
“Are you two married?” the Commander asked.
“Yes,” Vonda replied, noting how her husband waited for her to speak. ‘Have you truly matured so much?’
‘Of course,’ Adam’s eyes replied.
“Congratulations. A Priest of Life and a Priest of… Death?”
Adam smiled. “Lord Sozain and I are quite close, yes.”
The Commander’s brows raised in alarm. ‘Quite close?’ “I wish you good fortune. I have to thank you for your mercy, it must have been difficult to go against your tenants.”
“As I said, Lord Sozain and I are close, even if I don’t follow his tenants, he won’t bring his fury upon me,” Adam stated confidently, as though it were true. ‘Technically I’m not even a Priest of Death?’
The Commander looked to Vonda for support. ‘This young man is so dangerous.’ “I have to thank you for asking the Iyrmen to step back too. Did you say you were the Iyrman’s brother?”
“Yeah, we’re brothers.”
“You are no Iyrman?”
“No, I’m not.”
“How did that come to pass?”
“His family helped me in a previous life, and we formed a connection through that.”
The Commander noted Vonda’s look of surprise, and though he had originally thought it was an offhand joke, he gathered there was more truth than he originally realised. “The reputation of the Iyr seems to stand up, even after all this time.”
Adam’s lips formed a small smirk. “What kind of reputation is that?”
“They’re a bunch of savages who want for death, and want to fight whatever they can,” the Commander began, reaching up to brush along a faint scar across the side of his neck. “They’re damn strong too.”
“Yeah, they are. I’m glad I have so many Iyrmen around me, even if it does bring me trouble sometimes.” Adam could feel the look from his side. “Of course, I’m pretty troublesome too, but of course I am, since I’m my daughter’s father.”
“You have children already?” The Commander recalled how recently the wedding had been. ‘Is it Mother Soza’s doing?’
“I had a few children before.”
“Ah.”
“Of course, some of them take after Vonda too.”
“Ray Vonda,” the Commander corrected. “Even if she is your wife, you should speak of her title.”
“What are you, a noble?”
“I’m the third son of a noble family. It’s not a noble family which exists any longer.”
“What happened?”
“The Rockhill Massacre.”
“Oh,” Adam replied, feeling his leaf ears burn. “Just to let you know, I have nothing to do with that.”
The Commander slowly nodded his head. “I’m Commander Theodore Barrenhill.”
“Executive Adam Fate, of the United Kindom.”
“I’ve heard the name in passing. What is the United Kingdom?”
“United Kindom, it’s the business that we are a part of. We trade magical items, weapons and such.”
“What kind of magical weapons?”
“Basic, Basic Enhanced, Greater, Greater Enhanced.”
“Who have you sold such to?”
“The Iyr and various Aldish nobles, and the Order of Life’s Rose.”
The Commander slowly nodded his head. “You received a token from the Duchess?”
“I did,” Adam replied, narrowing his eyes slightly. “How did you know?”
“The Iyrman who passed held the token.”
“Ah, right, we did hand it to them.”
Theodore remained silent for a moment, glancing between the pair. “Do you have any intention to sell to the military?”
“United Kindom has wares if you have coin,” Adam said, his voice shifting slightly lighter and higher. He smiled towards Vonda, who tilted her head questioningly, before his smile dropped. ‘Oh right, only I get that.’
“I see.”
“If I can ask a question…” Adam glanced around. “I remember there being a Sergeant last time, but now there’s a Commander?”
“I was requested to step out of retirement to assist the fort,” the Commander replied, saying no more.
“Are you as strong as Blue Sword?”
“I wouldn’t lose so easily, but Blue Sword is a great warrior who can match even the greatest across the nearby lands,” the Commander replied. “My blade is great, but they consider me a Grandmaster, but Blue Sword is closer to a Paragon.”
“Yeah, I heard he was pretty strong…” ‘I wonder if I should fight him.’ Adam felt Vonda’s hand against his for a moment. ‘You’re right, of course.’
“That brother of yours…”
“Yeah?”
“Is he by any chance related to The Kid?”
“I’m surprised you used that nickname and not Mad Dog, but yes, Jurot is the old man’s grandson.”
“Is he your grandfather?”
“He wishes he could be my grandfather,” Adam replied. “He’s happy enough to be my children’s greatfather.”
‘Your children’s greatfather?’ Theodore filed away all he had learnt about the young man into the back of his mind, to report it in the future should he need. “It makes sense that he was so ferocious while fighting.”
“The reputation of the Iyrmen really is pretty vicious,” Adam said, thinking about how many people his brother had fought at once. “Well, once he becomes a Paragon, I wonder if the Grand Commander will be able to beat him.”
“The Grand Commander?”
“Of the Thousand Hunts,” Adam confirmed, smiling innocently.
“Does he have business with the Grand Commander?”
“The Grand Commander didn’t want to step back, like his Vice Commander. They clashed together, but eventually stopped. Then, the Grand Commander thought better than to fight, I hope the Vice Commander will learn that too.”
Theodore reached up to his helmet and tipped it. “I wish you a good night, and great health to your children. Mother’s blessings upon you.”
“Mother’s blessings upon you,” Vonda replied, and Adam nodded.
‘The Mad Dog’s grandson?’ The Commander stepped away towards the central building, his mind deep in thought. ‘It seems like the stories held more truth than I realised.’
“Sometimes I forget how crazy Jurot’s heritage is,” Adam whispered. “He’s the old man’s grandson, but I heard his great…” Adam paused. “Wait, what’s before your greatfather?”
“It is twice great?”
“I don’t know… I’ve never heard of the Iyr use that. I guess his mother’s greatfather? Anyway, yeah, his mother’s greatfather was pretty strong too. Crazy to think he’s got monsters on both sides of his family.”
“They are all proud of their ancestors,” Vonda stated. “I have heard that Amokan’s granduncle is still active in distant lands, and Timojin’s grandfather also fought to become the Chief.”
“I wonder why he didn’t become the Chief.”
“He didn’t want to know too much about the Iyr if he wasn’t the Chief.”
“How do you know?”
“He told me.”
“He did?”
Vonda nodded. “I have spoken with many of the Iyrmen.”
“Oh…” Adam blinked. “I guess that makes sense.”
“If you wish to spoil Majin and Tinajin, you should speak with their family more often.”
Adam blinked. “That’s why you’re my wife, Vonda.” Adam smiled wider.
“Ray Vonda.”
“Well, the title does sound hot.”
“Hot?”
“Nothing,” Adam replied, glancing down at her burn marks for a moment, before glancing aside. “I mean, you know… it sounds like… it makes me want to…” Adam hid his face behind his hand, feeling the cringe invade through every pore of his body.
The Commander was glad they left immediately the next morning. He watched over the Iyrmen, who had spoken so openly of their families and their stories. ‘It was too easy to obtain all that information.’ Yet, he knew of the Iyr’s relationship with the truth. ‘Do they think we aren’t a threat? Or are they assured of our alliance?’
“Bill, it’s them again,” George said as the setting sun sparkled off the purple armour.
“Not again.”
“No wolves, though?”
“Yeah?” Bill narrowed his eyes, squinting towards them all. “Oh, thank the Divine.”
The pair of guards were adorned within the chain mail of the guard, and covering their chain shirts were red tabard, the symbol of a tree imprinted against it. They wielded long spears in hand, a shield within arm’s reach and a pair of blades at their side. They guarded the town, though one would be far more impressed with the walls, made of heavy stone, around three Adam’s tall, with several towers running along the perimeter.
“Hello there,” Adam called, pulling up his visor to reveal his handsome, smiling, half fae face.
“Hello,” George replied, glancing between them all, taking note of their steel adventurer tags. “Were you Steel last year?”
“Bronze.”
George nodded, glancing across the group, noting the tattoos of all the Iyrmen, before his eyes darted to the charcoal skinned fellow with the red beard. “You one of them fire giants?”
“Seventh Prince Morkarai,” Morkarai smiled politely.
The guards stood at attention instantly. “A Prince, you say?”
“A Prince.”
“Bill, go call the Captain.”
“Aye,” Bill replied, knocking on the gate, before it opened enough to allow him to slip through. After a moment, there was a crash of chain against the floor, before the unmistakable sound of someone trying to get back up before stumbling away.
‘I told you to stop drinking, you absolute prick.’ “Sorry about the bother, Prince, but we’ve got to confirm the matter.”
“You do not have to worry.” Morkarai smiled wide, waiting patiently outside of the walls.
The gates opened up a moment later, with the a dozen guards marching swiftly to place on either side of the group, who paid little attention to the guards, their eyes glued to the woman in breastplate. Her breastplate was stamped with the sigil of Red Oak, at her side was a blade made of red oak.
“Sir Robin Scarletwood, Sixth Branch of the Oakguard,” the woman declared before removing her helmet, revealing her long hair, as brown as an oak, her eyes as green as the first leaves of dawnval. Her beauty was only matched by the authority she exuded, not considering any of them to be a threat.
‘Sir Robin?’ Adam vaguely recalled the name. ‘Don’t I know someone whose name is Sir Robin?’
“Greetings, Sir Robin, I am-,” Ray Vonda began, before noting the woman inhaled sharply to interrupt her, only for her eyes to dart towards the Ray, and the knight froze. “I am Ray Vonda, of Life’s Rose.”
“Mother’s blessings upon you, Ray Vonda.”
“I am currently escorting Prince Morkarai.”
“May I see your amulet?” Sir Robin asked, before inspecting it with the Ray’s permission, feeling the ridges against her fingers, closing her eyes and pressing it against her cheek. “It is an honour to meet with a Ray.”
“The honour is ours, Sir Robin of the Oakguard.”
“I have been informed of other… guests within your company.”
“Which guests?”
The Oakguards eyes glanced upon the demons. “I have been informed that Life’s Rose has taken responsibility for such guests.”
“We have.”
“We will escort you to the Countess’ residence, but your guests may not come.”
“I must stay with the guests,” Vonda replied, simply.
“We will escort those who wish to accompany the Prince,” Sir Robin glanced to Morkarai. “Does such please you.”
“I will not cause you trouble in this regard. May we take a moment to discuss who will accompany me?”
“As you wish, Your Royal Highness.”
Adam winced visibly upon hearing the address, before catching Morkarai’s smirk. “Executives, would you wish to accompany Prince Morkarai?”
“I will remain,” Jaygak said, glancing across the Aldish guards. “You and I should escort the Managers.”
“I think you’re right, Executive Jaygak. Executive Jurot, Executive Kitool, could you accompany Prince Morkarai? Amokan, Timojin, would you also be willing to assist?”
“Until you leave Red Oak, we will accompany Prince Morkarai,” Amokan confirmed, flashing a charming smile.
“Four Iyrmen should be enough.”
“Are you sure you don’t wish to accompany me?” Morkarai teased.
“I think my wife’s wisdom is brushing against me, so I’ll choose to spend less time with other nobles,” Adam said, his voice full of a lightness he shouldn’t be using with royalty.
“I almost believe you have matured,” Morkarai joked.
Adam smiled wide. “Well, it is what it is.”
“You should speak more politely to the Prince,” Sir Robin said.
Adam narrowed his eyes towards the Oakguard. “Jurot, please greet Sir Merrick on my behalf if you see him.”
“Okay.”
“I won’t take the Oakguard’s rudeness as the Countess wishing not to do business,” Adam stated, still glancing aside to his brother. “Executive Jurot, please inform the Countess of our offers.”
“…”
“You know, the ability to buy a few magical weapons if she so requires, and we will send word to the Enchanter to make them.”
Sir Robin’s eyes darted between Adam and Jurot, her eyes curious. ‘What are these fools talking about?’
‘We really need money for the road, and we should probably send some back to ease the worker’s worries.’
“Okay.”
I hate them.
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