“It’s so beautiful when it’s snowing,” Adam whispered.

“It is,” Vonda agreed, her head upon her husband’s shoulder, their fingers intertwined together. The thick clothing of the Iyr warmed the pair, the snow falling all around them so gently, blanketing the Iyr with a white serenity.

The half elf poured tea within the cup, and for the fear of burning his wife, he decided against holding the cup up to her lips. He stared out towards the canvas of white, then he took in the sight of the sky, hiding so shyly behind the fog.

“After my prayers, I would draw in the snow,” Vonda said. “Long winding branches, leaves curling outwards. Sometimes I would draw a repeating pattern along the snow, slowly, carefully, until I was called to assist. The next morning, it would be gone, taken by the snow, I would have a blank canvas once more.”

“When I was a boy, I would do the same. Then, we bought a computer, and outside of playing a bit of footie now and again with my cousins, I’d stay inside, playing games, exploring the internet, watching videos. It’s weird. I never thought I’d be able to stop and enjoy nature like this again, but…”

Vonda nestled her head against her husband’s neck, wrapping her arms around his arm, her fingers resting against his biceps, clutching at him gently. Though her husband flushed at her touch, she was certain he did not understand the fear which gripped her heart. She closed her eyes, pinning the half elf close, not allowing him to escape from her clutches, not that he seemed to mind.

Adam could feel the ache within his arm, but since it was his wife, the ache was not annoying in the slightest, but rather, the ache of their love. The half elf smiled, resting his cheek atop her head, remaining trapped within his wife’s adoration.

The snow continued to fall upon the Iyr, and though the chill renewed aches of old bones, it hardened the bones of the young.

“Do you see it?” Jurot asked.

“See?” Damrot asked, glancing up at his father, the tip of his nose and his cheeks red like a rose. His innocent eyes blinked up towards the Iyrman, whose eyes remained glued to the landscape in front of him, and the boy looked back out at the white world in front of him. “So?”

“Snow,” Jurot confirmed. “When I was a boy, I would come and sit here, and watch the snow fall. Do you see it?”

“See,” the boy replied.

“This… is the Iyr.” Jurot hoisted the boy up and placed him upon his lap. “This… is the Iyr. It is our home. Mine. Yours. Your mother’s.”

“Mama?” Damrot asked.

“Yes. It is now.”

“So.” The boy leaned back against his father’s chest, though his small legs sunk into the snow, his thick boots still too light to sink against it. “Baybaybayboo?”

Jurot fixed the boy’s hat, and wrapped an arm around his front. “I do not understand what you said, but know that I listened.”

“Bibi,” Damrot stated.

“Bee?”

Damrot looked up at his father, the boy cackling lightly, clapping his hands excitedly. “Dada!”

“Are you bullying me?”

“Bi!”

“I see.” Jurot reached down to hold his son’s chin, holding his son’s gaze. The boy smiled, but his smile dropped, only to return as he saw his father’s gentle smile.

“Bibi!” The boy’s words remained full of delight, even as the shadow of his father engulfed him, their warm foreheads pressed together.

“I know you do not understand my words, but you must know this. I am not as good as Adam when it comes to showing my affection, but when it comes to love for you, he can only match me.”

“Dada!”

Jurot had so many things he wished to say to his son, but he understood it was not the right time. He held the boy’s head to his chest, before bringing the dummy to his son’s lip, for a gloved finger was no good. As they embraced so tenderly, Jurot wondered if his father had held him like this as a boy during nightval.

As nightval continued to pass, the children bullying Adam further, all the while he continued to flirt with his wife, the Iyr continued to prepare.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

The Chief double checked his notes, making sure the armour and glave were returned to the Iyr’s storage, and checked to see if the Prince had made his way back safely. Once that matter was attended to, he read the letter he received back from the Thousand Hunts, and it was, as expected, filled with vitriol.

‘They will not come during nightval,’ Iromin thought, glad that the Iyr had the time to prepare for the real threat. He noted down the threats, and the demands, of the Order, before tasking an aide with the draft of a response.

‘The King will finish his negotiations with the Orders soon,’ Iromin thought, writing it upon a note, to be handed out to remind the other Great Elders and aides. ‘Should we take a light hand?’

The biggest problem with the Iyr’s foreign policy was the wild card that had been Elder Story’s actions earlier in the year. Iromin was still uncertain as to why the Great Elder had decided to act in that moment, for she could have easily requested them to act on her behalf, or advised the Rot family to allow them to act.

‘Elder Story…’ Iromin sighed, rubbing his forehead. The Great Elder had not informed them of her reasons why, and as expected, the Great Elders continued their business. There was a minor issue with them not understanding Elder Story’s thoughts, and how they should continue their relationship with Aldland and the Orders, but they continued to put their trust in the other Great Elders to do their job properly.

As nightval continued to pass, Adam greeted all the visitors who approached the shared estate, from the Iyrmen who wished to pass on their congratulations to the half elf, to the various babos and nanos who wanted to spoil the children.

“What are you doing here?” Adam asked, reaching out to shake Dunes’ forearm.

“I came to check upon you, to appease the worries of the business who has not heard from you in some time,” Dunes replied, flashing a smile warm smile, though completely wrapped with thick clothing, pulling up the scarf to warm his face again.

“Ah, sorry.”

The pair sat and drank tea, going through the pleasantries, speaking of their families, the business, and nothing in particular. Adam snuck some crisps for the Priest, making plenty every other day for his son.

‘Wait…’ Adam glanced around, feeling the chill in the air. “Remind me to make my son a baked potato.”

“Okay?” Dunes replied, and as he bit into the crisp, he fell still. The awkwardness and shame filled him, the Aswadian slowly chewing the crisps. ‘Should I eat it?’

“Anyway, you know, I was thinking about increasing the number of enchanters. I wasn’t sure who, I don’t know many people who know magic, and then I realised…” Adam raised his brows.

Dunes raised his brows in return, sipping the tea, waiting for Adam to continue.

“I already taught Vonda, and I thought…”

“…”

“Dunes. Do you want to learn enchanting?” Adam finally asked.

Dunes smiled slightly. “You have done so much for me already. I am needed at the business. If I am enchanting, I will be unable to complete my tasks.”

Adam clicked his teeth. ‘He’s right.’ “It would be nice if you were a back up enchanter, though.”

“Perhaps in the future?”

“Then…” Adam’s eyes remained glanced aside. “Say Ranya and Enisa learn magic…”

“I won’t stop you, but Amira might.”

“Why would she stop me? What? It’s not that expensive! It won’t take me that long either!” Adam huffed, for how dare anyone stop him from spoiling his nieces, though he still needed their mother’s permission.

“…” Dunes smiled slightly. “I wish to go to Aswadasad next year, to… inform the Priest Commander of my… situation.”

“Your situation?”

“That Amira and I wish to remain at the business.”

“Ah…” Adam slowly nodded his head. “I guess that’s a good idea. I should go too, bring some gifts to smooth things over, and if he wants to punish you, I’ll accept it.”

“The punishment may be too severe.”

“Will he kill me?”

“No.”

“Then it’ll be fine,” Adam said, shrugging his shoulders, as though it were truly that simple. “Jurot will make him think twice about doing anything too bad.”

Dunes let out a low sigh. “He will be interested in meeting you…”

“Yeah?” Adam smiled. “What have you told him?”

“Not enough, and too much.” Dunes shook his head. “I informed my mentor that I was going to…” Dunes paused. He blinked. “I forgot to message my mentor that I was alive.”

“…”

“…”

“We should probably go another year,” Adam joked.

Dunes chuckled, the pair continuing to drink away at their tea, eating their snacks.

‘Should I switch to a sword?’ Adam thought, thinking of his new axe. ‘If I keep acting up, the Rot family and the Iyr will be…’ He reached up to scratch his cheek. He glanced aside to his twins, who were playing with their nano from the Tam family. His eyes fell to his son, who smiled so adorably. Jarot joined in on their morning training, but he also copied his uncle, squatting in such a way that Adam couldn’t help but think his son was the cutest.

‘Ooofookurkuh!’ Jarot would groan aloud whenever he finished his squats, holding onto his hamstrings.

‘What am I thinking? I should use an axe…’ Adam sipped his tea with a smile.

“Pahpuh,” Damrot called, rushing up to Adam, his hands swinging wildly as he urged himself forward.

“Damrot?” Adam lifted up Damrot onto his lap. “What’s the matter?”

Damrot smiled up at Adam, before his eyes darted to Dunes, his smile quickly dropping. He withdrew to his uncle’s chest shyly, while Adam wrapped an arm around him.

“How can my son call me papo? Am I that terrible of a father?”

Dunes raised his brow, sipping his tea.

“You should say something encouraging, Manager!” Adam lifted Damrot up with his bicep, planting a firm kiss on his warm forehead. “Damrot, you see? He thinks he is a big man now that he survived certain death!”

“Ooo!” Damrot cooed.

“Where is your dada?” Adam asked.

“Dada…” Damrot peeked over his shoulder, furrowing his brows. His father had told him to come to see his papo, but he was gone?

Elder Zijin leaned back in his chair, raising his brow at the Iyrman. “Are you certain?”

“Yes.”

“…” Zijin thought for a long moment, his thoughts falling upon Jaygak, who continued her intense training. ‘It may be best for them to go this year.’ “Okay.”

“I am sorry for coming so late.”

Zijin raised a hand, bowing his head lightly, before dismissing the Iyrman. ‘You have all grown so much.’