Omen: 16, 16

  “Adam, are you willing to fight for the Rot family?” Sonarot asked.

  “Sure,” Adam replied, not thinking too much about the issue.

  “Thank you,” Sonarot said. “The fight is scheduled for the evening, tonight.”

  Adam frowned. “Damn. Alright.”

  “Is that a problem?”

  “Evening is when I py with Lanarot,” Adam said. “I did have something else I o deal with though, so I guess it’s not a big deal. Do you know where Elder Zijin is?”

  “He should be at his estate,” Sonarot said.

  Adam quickly left to try and find the Elder, heading into the Jie, seeing the family all around. “Yo,” Adam called.

  “Son of Fate, what brings you here?” Lojin asked.

  “Hey, I’m looking for Elder Zijin.”

  “The Elder is in his estate,” Lojin replied.

  “Oh. Is that somewhere else?”

  Lojin chuckled, before motioning with an arm to the side. “He is withiate at the tre.”

  “Oh,” Adam said, heading into the tre of the ates, which was equally as rge as the family estates. ‘So there’s oe for the Elder who looks after what… thirty something families?’

  Elder Zijin was reading a paper when he saw Adam. Adam gnced around to see there were a great many pots withiate, and the garden was more like a field, though it was not in use during Nightval.

  “Adam,” the Elder called. “Trouble?” He held the paper up for a moment, before remembering that Adam kheir tongue, so quickly hid it.

  “I’m here for a favour,” Adam said.

  “What favour is that?”

  “Well…”

  “That is all?” Zijin asked, sighing. “I thought you would ask for something troublesome.”

  “Then what if I asked for double?” Adam asked.

  “A simple matter.”

  “What if I asked for a sword made of something amazing? The Iyr’s best materials?” Adam asked.

  “If you win some fights, I am sure you request such items,” Zijin said. “Perhaps not the best items, but a tier below.”

  “I’m fighting today,” Adam said. “So maybe after the fight I could ask.”

  “Then it is not so troublesome.”

  “Damn,” Adam said, frowning. “I’ll go ask Jaygak for help.”

  “It is fine,” Zijin said, yawning. He wasn’t sure if he could hahe pair of them together.

  “Are you alright?”

  “I am well. It is Twilight Month soon, and it is quite busy. It seems that this Twilight Month will be more difficult.”

  “Is that bad?”

  “It is good and bad.”

  “How so?”

  “You will see,” Zijin replied, smiling at the Half Elf.

  Adam sighed, before turning on his heel and leaving. ‘Seriously.’

  Adam returned back to the Rot family, where he found a familiar face. “Wahruv? What are you doing here?”

  “I am here to fight,” Wahruv said, shaking Adam’s forearm.

  “Again?” Adam groaned. “I don’t want to fight you again.”

  “No, I have e for your brother this time,” the Iyrman said. “He, too, is an Expert.”

  “He’s strong, you know,” Adam said. “You shouldn’t hold back against him.”

  “If he is your brother, it is certain for him to be strong,” Wahruv replied.

  “That’s right. Which is why Lanarot will grow up to be a super Expert.” Adam pihe girl’s cheek gently, causio pull away from him, aurn to her block of wood.

  “The fight will be in an hour, will you e and watch?” Wahruv asked.

  “Of course,” Adam said. “Si’s my brother’s fight, I have to watch.”

  “Then I will see you then,” Wahruv said.

  “What do you think?” Adam asked. “They’re both pretty strong.”

  “It will be quite the match,” Sonarot said. “I will believe in my Jurot.”

  “I’ll go get my gems,” Adam said.

  The Rot family, save for Mirot, went to go and watch the fight. There Adam saw Jarot, who was bandaged up, his skin marked red as though he had been burned.

  “You look like shi-“ Adam began, only to see Churot and the others. “You look awful.”

  “I had some fun st night,” Jarot said.

  “You’re too old to be having that kind of fun,” Adam admonished.

  “We are oo old to have fun, Adam,” Jarot stated.

  “Did you win?” Adam asked.

  “No.”

  Adam let out a soft sigh, smirking at the old man. “You should leave it to Grandaunt Mulrot, since you’re so weak.”

  “You call me weak once you beat me,” Jarot replied, simply.

  “I made ao deal with you, did you fet?”

  “I want to have a taste of the axe you made to face me,” Jarot said. “I wonder if it is good enough to take me down.”

  “Don’t be in such a rush to die, old man,” Adam said.

  Churot frowned, gring at Adam.

  “I mean,” Adam said, clearing his throat. “We’re not here to fight, but to wateone else fight. Yht the ?”

  “I have,” Jarot said. “A hundred gold. Did y any ?”

  “No,” Adam said.

  “Do you have no faith in your brother?” Jarot asked.

  “I brought gems,” Adam said. “s are awkward to carry.”

  Jarot ughed. “Did you pn that little joke?”

  “No, I’m just that witty.”

  Jarot spped the boy across his arm. “You have to be at least that funny to be my grandson!”

  “Whose yrandson, old man?” Adam rubbed his arm gently.

  Sooire area was full of Iyrmen, who were sharing food and drinks, save for a handful of people who were set to fight ter. Jurot appeared, with Fming Sanguine in hand.

  “Yo,” Adam said, shaking his forearm. “Our baby sister is watg so you ’t lose.”

  Jurot nodded.

  “I will bet one hundred gold on my grandson!” Jarot decred. “What say you, Lahruv?”

  “I will match the bet,” Lahruv replied, an older woman who wore her scars like jewellery, revealing most of the scars she had gained.

  ‘Does the cold not bother her?’ Adam thought, seeing that she was wearing mostly a pair of shorts and a sash arouorso, and not much else.

  “Where is your betting spirit, Adam?” Wahruv called from nearby. He, too, held a magical bde in hand. “Are you wishing to bet a greater on again?”

  “I was de once already,” Adam replied, feigning a pout. “I suppose one hundred gold and one copper will be enough.”

  “A copper too?”

  “I believe in my brother just that much,” Adam said, throwing Jarot a side eye.

  Jarot held in a shough it was quite painful, what with all the burns over his body. ‘I ot even enjoy the fight without grimag? I should have fought harder.’

  “The us make it just a copper,” Wahruv said. “A copper worth more than one hundred gold.”

  “Lanarot, e kiss your papa,” Sonarot said, raising her up to Jurot’s cheek. Lanarot pressed her lips against Jurot’s cheek, before sug on her block. Sonarot also kissed her son’s forehead. “Fight well, my Jurot.”

  “Yes, mother,” Jurot replied. He caught Adam’s eyes, and the pair o one another.

  The low drumming which had been a part of the Iyr’s background, suddenly increased, causing Lanarot to twitd look around to try and find the source. The flutes were pyed with ever increasing iy, before they stopped, and the drumming turned quiet once more.

  Wahruv and Jurot stood opposite one another for a long moment, near sileweehe betting had long fihose who were drinking aing fiheir bites for that moment.

  The pair turned red together, leaping into a. The pair mao force each other back, the battle following the motion of a pendulum as Wahruv and Jurot both struck true, with the snow beh them turning red.

  Jurht up his magical shield, and though he was struck, he did not wish to use the magic of the shield against Wahruv. The blow was heavy, and caused his shoulder to shudder.

  Wahruv, full e, forced Jurot back, striking true once more, as Jurot’s side was cut, though the bde did not find as much purchase as it should have. Jurot, was still a member of the Rot family, so even the fmes which licked at him did not bother him as much.

  Fming Sanguine mao burn Wahruv’s cheek, the Iyrman pulling back to avoid losing his eyes, and the pair cshed together once more, magical steel against magical steel, which struck a o add to the music which had picked up.

  Lanarot threw up her arms joyfully, squealing as she watched the fights, g her hands, and dropping her block.

  Jurot, hearing the squeals, was filled with renewed vigour, charging forward. ‘I do not want to lose in front of mother.’ His eyes were focused with rage as he struck Wahruv’s side, cutting an into the man’s side.

  “You fight well,” Wahruv gruhrough gritted teeth. His bde was raised high above him, but it crashed down against Jurot’s shield, but the blow caused Jurot’s shoulder to shudder once more.

  The pair met steel with steel, and as they danced, it was being harder to find who would win. Wahruv, who was firmly an Expert and had been for years, against the young man who had bee an Expert within a year.

  Wahruv, with greatsword in both hands, swung wildly, and Jurot caught the blow with his shield. He skid back to a halt, and as he charged forward to meet Wahruv’s bde, he saw the shadow of the bde above him. His axe mao clip the man’s side once more, but the giant bde came upon him the same way that Sir Merry’s sword had fallen atop him.

  Jurot dropped to his knees, uo raise his shield and axe.

  Adam held his breath. ‘Damn.’

  Lanarot screeched with joy as the fight ended.

  “Oi,” Adam said, ping her cheek. “You didn’t kiss him properly and so he lost.”

  Lanarot looked up at Adam, her gaze full of innoce.

  “Don’t try that with me,” Adam grumbled.

  “Do not fet the copper,” Wahruv panted.

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  When you realise that Jurot doesn't get the big brother buff because he didn't look after her much...

  I owe three chapters due to all the support, so I'll try and post double chapters the few Sundays.