“Are you alright?” Vonda asked, not for the first time that day.

“Yeah,” Adam said, laying against the snow as he stared up at the sky. The party raged around him, but he sulked in the corner, still annoyed by the fact he had to give up Phantom.

Even if it was a pretty good deal. The fact that he didn’t need to worry about paying to use the shrines. The fact that the Rot family was gifted a great magical weapon, one which Jurot may be able to claim in the future.

The fact that Phantom may come in clutch in the future when something terrible may happen.

Phantom was a lifeline, something Adam could pull out in order to create an easier time for himself and his companions. It wasn’t that he wasn’t strong without it, it was that he could not guarantee that things would go smoothly without Phantom.

“That axe of yours was such a great weapon,” Vonda said. “It does not match artefacts, but even the King would be jealous of such a great weapon. It is a weapon that brings too much attention to itself, which it would have brought to you. Even now, I think that Sir Landon may have already spread rumours about you and your weapon, so you must be careful.”

“You have a point,” Adam said. “I think, maybe, I should make a weapon that isn’t as flashy. Or, maybe I should make a weapon which I’d be willing to lose if something were to happen. I was originally meant to make Phantom something which could turn into a ring, and something which could allow me to use my spells while wielding it without my die.”

“Do you have the resources to make another such weapon?” Vonda asked.

“I don’t think so,” Adam said, before checking to see how much gold he had total. “Nevermind, I have just about enough for another great enchantment. It would leave me with those two diamonds to make sure I can revive someone, but that’s it.”

“You could create a great weapon during Dawnval, since we are spending the first month here to wait for Jurot and your sister’s birthday.”

“Yeah, that’s true,” Adam said, nodding his head. “Plus, if I can’t afford it, I could dip into some of the funds I’ve set aside for the children’s magical weapons.”

Vonda slowly cocked her head to the side. “How much money have you set aside?”

“A little over four thousand gold,” Adam said.

Vonda raised her brows in surprise. “You have set aside that much for the children’s magical weapons?”

“Yeah,” Adam replied, as though that were obvious. “Don’t forget how many children there are. There’s Turot, Raygak, Taygak, Saygak, Damokan and Kalokan, Katool, and that doesn’t include the four teens either. What’s that, eleven of them? That’s only four hundred and forty gold for each, which should be enough for a basic enchantment with a little extra, though that doesn’t include the price for materials.” Adam sighed.

“Could you not use that money to make yourself the weapon now? In the future you could make more money, and you can create an enchanted weapon for each of them when you return, between adventures, and between making your inns.”

Adam shook his head. “Imagine I make the weapon and then we leave after Lanarot’s birthday only to die. I asked Elder Zijin to keep a hold of the money so that at least the gems required for their enchantments would be paid for if they ever wanted a magical weapon in the future.”

Vonda’s eyes grew wide. “You have thought that far ahead.”

“Yeah,” Adam said. “Have you forgotten who I am?”

“No, but…”

“I told, no, I promised both Damokan and Kalokan that I would help them in the future, and if I end up dying, at least they have the gems ready for them,” Adam stated.

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‘Adam is crazy,’ Dunes thought, sipping some wine from nearby. He wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but he was near enough to hear the Half Elf. ‘Just how far ahead does he think?’

“Adam,” Jonn called. “May we speak?”

“I’m all ears, Jonn,” Adam replied.

“Privately?”

Adam sighed, hoisting himself up, patting the snow off his back, before following Jonn out to a private area. It wasn’t quite private, as it was the Iyr, so there was always someone nearby.

“What do you need?”

“I would like to face you in combat,” Jonn said.

“No thanks, I’m good,” Adam said, sighing.

‘What?’ “You do not wish to fight?”

“Nope.”

“It doesn’t have to be in the next week, we can fight during Dawnval,” Jonn said.

“Ask me when Dawnval comes, then.”

Jonn hadn’t expected to be rebuked. He had thought he had figured out Adam to some extent, but being refused so bluntly had made him pause. ‘He is quite the queer young man.’ “Very well.”

“Why do you want to fight anyway?”

“It has been some time since we last fought, and I think that fighting you will help me.”

“Help you? So why should I fight you, then?” Adam asked. “I’m not here to help you, Jonn. I’ll help Nobby, I’ll help Brittany, and I’ll help Fred. Why should I help you? You who promised something and broke your word?”

Jonn remained silent.

“Being with me is a privilege for you,” Adam said. “You get to hang around the Iyr, such a beautiful place, such a beautiful people, mostly. Yet here you are, asking for more? Even I, Jonn, know my place.”

Adam turned and stormed off. He probably wouldn’t have snapped at Jonn if he was in a better mood, but losing Phantom had left such a sour taste in his mouth. ‘Seriously. What a guy. Asking me for more help when he broke his word to me? I bet he was some Noble or something, the little shit.’

“Adam,” Dunes called, drink in hand, offering him a cup. He noted that Adam looked quite strained, so invited him for a drink.

Adam sat down opposite him, taking a sip of the alcohol Dunes poured for him. “You know, Dunes. You and Vonda are the type of people I’m into. You’re the kind of friends people would kill for.”

Dunes smiled. “We are friends because you will bring us many fortunes, Adam.”

“Like I said, friendship is transactional,” Adam said, placing down his drink. “I haven’t really thought about my inn that much for a while. As much as I want you to run it, I understand why you refused. If only I had some more capable friends like you, those that weren’t Iyrmen or Aswadian.”

“You will find them,” Dunes said, placing down a slice of roasted boar for him. “Perhaps Fred could assist you? It could be his calling in the world.”

“Maybe,” Adam said. “Brittany said she wanted to travel the world, so I can’t really ask her to stay in one place forever. Nobby is, well, Nobby is going to be my number one gun.”

“Gone?”

“I mean, my number one, you know, sword. Axe. Uh, big axe.” Adam tried to think of a way to describe Nobby. “He’ll be the axe I need to swing down to deal with issues.”

“Aren’t you the best axe to swing down to deal with issues?” Dunes asked.

Adam stared at Dunes. “See, this is what I mean. You’re so wise, Dunes. Then Nobby will be my shield, the shield for those that I need to be protected.”

“Like your sister?”

“No,” Adam said. “Jurot is her shield, and I am her axe.”

Dunes smiled. “Yes,” he said. “That is more applicable.”

Vonda sat down between them. “It is a shame it will be the Twilight Month soon. Otherwise you could have created more magical weapons.”

“Yeah,” Adam replied, sipping some more of his wine, sighing. “I hear that I’ll die if I try and enchant during it.”

“Magic is chaotic during the Twilight Month,” Dunes said.

“Chaotic, you say?” Adam replied. ‘Chaotic? Does it have something to do with why Belle is missing? Maybe the month has something to do with how he’s missing?’

“I am glad that we are able to remain within the Iyr during the month,” Sir Vonda said. “I may go to the nearby village to assist them.”

“I hear the Iyr’s going to send more people to the villages nearby to deal with the issue,” Adam said. “In which case, maybe you can stay here and help the Iyrmen out? You probably have knowledge you can share with the Iyrmen due to your recent travels. Plus, aren’t you from the Order of…” Adam paused. “Wait, give me a second. Order of White Rose. Actually, it’s Order of… Life Rose?”

“Order of Life’s Rose,” Vonda said, bowing her head.

“Life’s Rose,” Adam repeated after her. “So close.”

“It was close enough.”

Adam smiled. “Anyway, you’re from an Order which the Iyr respects. You could probably speak to them about something, you know? Pass on some of the recent issues you’ve had, maybe you could form a connection with them?”

“Perhaps,” she said. “I may spar with them during my time here, and I could speak with them about all manner of things.”

“I’ll need to deal with Filliam too,” Adam said. “I’m not sure how he goes through life, but I would like to work with him more. Meaning I need more gold for him too. Maybe I should make another enchanted weapon to sell off to the Iyr first?” Adam sighed. “No, no. I need an axe. Otherwise it’ll be awkward.”

“You have Stormdrake now,” Vonda said. “Though I know little of it, it appears to be quite a powerful blade.”

Adam raised his brows at her. “Vonda, please.” Adam motioned to his sister. “My sister will be looking at me using a sword and then Jurot will be her favourite.”

“Right,” Vonda said, sighing. “Of course.”