“I’m glad the Iyr’s looking out for me,” Adam admitted, his hands glued to the cups full of warm milk. The building was warmer than he expected, the stone keeping away the chill. “Of course, Manager Dunes, Manager Vonda, your wisdom is appreciated too.”
“It would be awkward to allow them to freeze to death when the Mother guides me,” Vonda said.
“Right…” Adam smiled. “I’ll check the books later for the coin, but I hope everyone is getting paid properly?”
“The pay is handed out twice a month, the first and fifteenth,” Dunes assured.
‘The Iyr’s estimates were pretty spot on. I’m glad they ended up dealing with everything on our behalf.’ “I brought over the code of conduct. I didn’t end up making anything too serious.” Adam slid the paper over to Dunes, who scanned through it, before handing it to Vonda.
‘It is very like Adam,’ Vonda thought, scanning across the rules. They were firm and blunt, and of course the first rule was about children.
“I ended up making the disciplinary actions too…” Adam slid the two documents.
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS FOR CHILDREN
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS FOR ADULTS
“No heathenic punishment,” Dunes asked.
“What?”
“Physical punishment for those who break the rules.”
“Corporal punishment? No. We don’t do that here. We might have them run laps or something, but we don’t hit people.”
“It makes sense not to hit children…” Dunes recalled all the time he was hit. “But as an adult?”
“We beat our foes, not our workers.”
“You have a softer heart than I thought.”
“I come from a land in which violence is seen as uncivilised. Well, it’s seen as uncivilised for the masses to engage in violence, but the wealthy and the elite? They worked hard to be able to beat the masses in whatever ways they see fit.”
Dunes was always surprised with the disdain in Adam’s voice. ‘Were you not a member of the wealthy elite?’
Vonda remained silent, still slowly forming a painting of Adam’s life within her mind. He seemed just like her, a young man born into a noble family, who ultimately rejected it for all the sins and flaws which came with such a life.
“Anyway,” Adam said, clearing his throat. “In this scenario we are the wealthy elite, but instead of using our violence against our workers, we’ll use it against those that dare to threaten us.”
“What if those who threaten us are within?”
“They won’t be within for long if they threaten us.”
“What if it was I?”
“What are you planning?”
“It is a hypothetical.”
“If you decide to threaten the business from within with everything you know about me and the Iyr, you’re possessed, or you’ve gone insane. In which case I’ll be sure to try and fix whatever’s wrong, and if not, then we’ll make sure you get back to the order back safe and sound.”
“I appreciate your thoughts.” Dunes smiled, feeling the relief ooze within his muscles. ‘I am not so foolish that I would threaten the business.’
“You better not threaten the business, not when I’ve brought you such a fine gift.” Adam stood, quickly stepping to the other room where he had placed several bundles, before returning with a particular pair of bundles. It was obvious enough what they were, long and wrapped in a black cloth, tied on either end with thin strands.
“Must I prepare myself to receive these gifts?” Dunes asked.
“You probably should.” Adam held out the first blade. “This is what you asked me to make.”
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‘The hazya althifaf?’ Dunes thought. His eyes beamed as he accepted the bundle. “May I open it?”
“I would hope so.”
Dunes began to unravel the cloth, revealing the blade within its sheath. The haft was long, the pommel in the shape of a circle, but engraved within was a sun with rays that seemed more like flames. The leather around the handle was tightly wrapped, made of thick leather, dark greyish, brown, and green. Dunes glanced up towards Adam questioningly.
“Of course,” Adam replied, watching as Dunes gently rubbed along the hydra leather, the Aswadian pausing for a moment as the tingling magic filled through the rest of his hand.
Dunes continued up towards the hilt of the blade, where the cross guard seemed to slowly melt into the rest of the blade. He slowly unsheathed the blade, where the steel of the cross guard melted into the longer blade. Dunes froze for a moment, before pulling more of the blade out, noting the patterns within the darker steel.
“Yes,” Adam replied, flashing a small smile. “Shouldn’t the meteorite go to someone who decided to give up so much to be a Manager of ours?”
Dunes hadn’t expected Amira to take the position of a Manager, but it was Adam after all. “Thank you, Adam.”
“Dunes.”
“Yes?”
“I get to spoil your kids, don’t I?”
Dunes flushed slightly, but let out a long sigh, before a wide grin forced his mouth open. “Can I stop you?”
“You can try.”
“What is this?” Dunes asked, glancing towards the other cloth bundle.
“It’s my gift to you.”
“A gift for me?”
“What? I can’t give my friend gifts now?”
“I didn’t expect a gift.”
“You’re about to get married, I can’t come empty handed now, can I?”
“I’m glad you decided to give it to me now rather than on my wedding,” Dunes said.
“Was I meant to give it during your wedding?” Adam asked, blinking. “No, don’t reply, I know that was a stupid question.”
“Common sense between the Aldish and the Aswadians are different, but with you, I do not know at all.”
“Common sense is a myth, but hurry up and check out the gift so I can show off!”
Dunes held the cloth bundle within his hands. ‘Heavy.’ He cautiously undid the string, as as the cloth slid off, Dunes blinked. The handle was smooth, a wood he had only seen once, almost golden in colour. The pommel was a thick block of metal, rigid and heavy.
Adam smiled.
“Adam!” Dunes replied, throwing a look to Vonda, who smiled politely. “What madness is this?”
Adam smiled awkwardly. “A thank you would suffice, Dunes.”
“Thank you?” Dunes replied, his voice still full of shock. “This was a gift to you, Adam, from a dwarf! A dwarven smith!”
“Yeah?”
“Do you not understand what that means?”
Adam glanced towards Vonda. “It means he thanked me for helping him and he gave me a gift?”
“You are not meant to gift the blade away!”
“Why not?”
“It was a gift from a dwarf!”
“Okay?”
Dunes looked to Vonda for support, but the young Ray continued to smile innocently. “You don’t gift away gifts from dwarves, Adam. It’s not done.”
“When am I bound by the customs of the land?” Adam asked.
“Adam!”
Adam crossed his arms. “Just remember, I get to spoil your kids.”
“If you’re going to spoil them like this, I’ll have to decline.”
“If you don’t want it, gift it to your kid.”
“…” Dunes leaned back within his chair, rubbing his forehead, which had grown slick with sweat.
“Like I said, common sense is a myth,” Adam said, far too proudly.
“Even children know the significance of a dwarven gift,” Vonda said.
“Aren’t I pure of heart like a child? So sweet and innocent?” Adam smiled, though his smile faltered as the flashes of fire flashed within his mind. For a moment his eyes fell to the floor as shame flashed through him.
“Two Greater Enhanced blades?” Dunes covered his eyes with his hands. ‘Just how much is this debt between us?’
“I’m walking around with a Greater Enhanced weapon, so you should too. I mean, Jonn’s walking around with one too, so why shouldn’t you?”
Dunes had forgotten Jonn’s blade was Greater Enhanced too. “Thank you, Adam.” Dunes could still feel the great magic tingling against his palm. “What is the enchantment?”
“Greater obviously, and though it doesn’t do extra fire damage, it still hits harder, like a greatsword. You get to choose to strike true three times each day, and when you strike true, you regain some of your vigour. Technically, it’s a little weaker than your current blade in terms of how hard you hit, but you do regain more vigour on average.”
Amira’s Strength
Requires Attunement
You gain a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this weapon.
Deals 2D6 slashing damage.
Three time per day, on a hit, choose to Critical Hit instead.
On a Critical Hit, regain 2D6 Health.
“It’s a pretty scary sword,” Adam said. “I’ve called it Amira’s Strength, and I’ve called the other one Dunes’ Strength.”
Dunes furrowed his brows for a moment, before a small smile slipped across his face. “How apt.”
“I’m quite the poet, aren’t I?”
“You are too talented.”
Adam winked cheekily once more. “What can I say? I’m a bit of a… well, that doesn’t make sense here since it hasn’t happened?”
“What is it?”
“Ah, just…” Adam waved his hand, still unsure of how many sayings he should bring from his world. “I shouldn’t tempt all the higher powers which are waiting for me to make a mess.”
“Sometimes you say such scary things…”
Adam glanced towards Vonda. “Do you agree?”
Vonda glanced between the blades. “It is not your words which are most terrifying.”
“Why are you speaking to me like I’m some kind of monster?” Adam asked, while the gentle rasping of a knock sauntered through the silence. Adam glanced towards the door for a moment. “Yes?”
“Daddy!” called the muffle noise of a troublemaker.
Adam let out a light snort. He opened the door, while Jirot paused as she stared at his leg, before her arm blurred through the air and a snowball struck her father’s shin. She squealed and stormed away in the snow.
“Could a monster have such a cute kid like her?” Adam asked, squatting to grab some snow, before a shadow loomed over him.
“Executive,” Rick called.
“Yes?”
“Could we speak?”
“Sure. I’ll have Jirot thank you since you saved her from my snowball.”
Rick blinked.