“I’m very sorry,” Adam said, bowing his head before the Mother. “I shouldn’t have said something like that to you, Mother.”
Mother Alexia stared at the half elf, her eyes still stern. She could feel the gaze of the Ray sitting beside the sheepish young man. The Ray, as his wife, dragged him to the Mother after hearing what had occurred.
"I didn't mean to threaten you, I was just worried for Elsie, and knowing how treacherous the-," Adam paused as he felt Vonda's hand against his own, he cleared his throat. "I was just worried for Elsie, because there are certain issues that certain individuals have with our business, and I believed they would take certain matters into their own hands."
Mother Alexia held a deep frown across her face, though she could feel the Ray’s gaze upon her. Even as a Sister, Vonda could have vouched for Adam, and as a Mother, it was a simpler matter, but as a Ray? Mother Alexia’s hands were tied, but she couldn’t allow the half elf to go around threatening Mothers of Life.
“Even if you were worried for Elsie, you should not have threatened a Mother. I am a Mother of Life, and if I wished for it, you would find yourself trapped within a dungeon for the next century.”
“I-,” Adam began, though he managed to stop himself before Vonda squeezed his hand. “You’re completely right, Mother Alexia. I have shown you a great disrespect, and though I am a follower of Lord Sozain, I hold Mother Soza deep within my heart. I have failed you as both a follower of Lord Sozain, but also as an Executive of United Kindom. I can only ask for your mercy at this time, and once we have completed our task, I will surely correct this matter as best as I can.”
“Since Ray Vonda has spoken highly of you, I will consider it a mistake of a youth, but I expect better of a Brother.”
“Yes, you’re absolutely correct, Mother Alexia. I am ashamed of doing something so stupid, and I promise to reflect on my behaviour.”
Mother Alexia glanced towards Vonda, who waited to see what else the Mother would do. She was the highest ranking individual of the small temple, and though the temple was small, it could still rely on the main temple of East Port for support, as well as Life’s Rose.
“I will take Ray Vonda’s words to heart and I will forgive you of this matter this once. I hope I will not regret it.”
“You will not, I assure you.” Adam clasped a hand over his fist and bowed his head. “I often forget the fortunes I have in this world and court death, and though I follow Lord Sozain, I hope to live a very long life still. Once I return back to the business, I will discuss appropriate compensation with the Enchanter.”
“There is no need for that,” Mother Alexia replied, stilling the greed within her heart.
“If you won’t accept a magical gift, then please, at least allow me to hand over some of my own salary as a donation to the temple.”
“We will not refuse a donation to our temple,” Mother Alexia admitted.
Once Adam was brought to the statue of the mother, a bust of the mother, whose face held no details, though the cloth around the bust that represented her robes were intricately details, the hem holding all manner of religious symbols, the folds crafted to the point they were nearly lifelike.
Adam dropped down before the statue, his hands upon his knees. ‘I’m really sorry, Mother Soza. I shouldn’t have been such an idiot.’ The half elf reached into his tunic and placed down a particular gem, that of a tiger eye.
‘If he’s willing to donate that much…’ Mother Alexia watched as the pair left after saying their goodbyes to Elsie. She smiled slightly, having gained two hundred gold from a single person that day. She prepared extra fruit that evening.
A quietness had taken East Port in the night. Adam and Vonda made their way, Vonda’s full plate jangling slightly as they made their way towards the Guild.
“Sorry, Vonda.”
“I know.”
“I mean it.”
“I know.”
Adam sighed. “I really shouldn’t be that much of an idiot. I can’t believe I’ve pretended to be an idiot so much that I’ve actually become an idiot.”
“I trust you will think before you speak from now on.”
“You’re trusting me a little too much.”
“I have to.”
“Why’s that?”
Vonda reached over to hold Adam’s hand, their fingers intertwining together. “What could the reason be, I wonder?”
“Okay, okay,” Adam replied, chuckling lightly. “I’ll treat the Priests of Life better from now on. I can’t disappoint you, and I can’t let them criticize you because you married an idiot.”
“I hope you will treat all Priests with such respect.”
“Baby steps, Vonda, baby steps.” Adam chuckled again, following along one of the many rivers within the city. “We probably don’t have enough time to meet Yellow Turban, right?”
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“Is it Yellow Turban you want to meet?”
“Don’t call me out like that.” Adam smiled, squeezing her hand gently. “Well, I suppose I’ll leave them be for now. We can meet them when we come back.”
“We are rushing so much.”
“Yeah, well… I’ve got a Princess to meet.”
“You dislike nobles, but you are so excited to meet the Princess?”
“She’s cute, and she played so well with Lanababy,” Adam said, recalling the little babe. “Do you think she’s grown up too much?”
“She will still be small and cute.”
“I won’t forgive her if she’s grown up too much.”
“I’m sure you will, because she’s too cute.”
“It’s scary how well you know me.”
“Who does not know your jokes, since you only have the same three or four jokes.”
“I have plenty of jokes.”
“Will they become funny soon?”
“They make you laugh, sometimes.”
“So they do.” Vonda stifled her giggle.
The Adventurer’s Guild was larger than the one in Red Oak, easily for or five times as big, and though there was no red oak within its structure, the Guild was surrounded by water, and was full of vibrant colours. Adam spent a short while within the Guild to deal with getting his tag stamped, before he left with the Iyrmen, wanting to return back to the inn quickly.
Quest Complete: Hydras Slain
XP Gained: +300
XP: 6 100 -> 6 400
Steel Tag: 2 -> 3
“Did it go well?” Jaygak asked as they made their way back to the inn. She could sense something had happened, and if it was Adam, surely it was because he caused trouble.
“I’ll tell you once we’re on the ship,” Adam said, resting the handle of the short sword over his shoulder. He was glad they had brought a shorter blade instead of a spear for him, his eyes glancing aside to his wife, who carried the spear in hand.
“It was that bad?”
“Yeah.”
Jaygak inhaled deeply, stilling her curious heart. “Okay.”
“Halt!” called a guard, adorned in chain, wearing a long cloak of deep blue, with the sigil of the city guard upon the tabard. He was an older fellow, whose narrowed eyes could vaguely see their outline in the darkness. “Are you adventurers?”
“Yes,” Jurot replied.
“What’s your party’s name?”
“Fate’s Golden.”
“What are you doing out so late?”
“We arrived at the city late, and we finished our business at the Guild.”
“You’re not staying at the Guild?”
“No. We are escorting a noble who preferred to sleep elsewhere.”
“Yeah? What kind of noble.”
“We should not say.”
“Why not?”
“We are too in the open.”
The old guard narrowed his eyes further at the group, while his companion quickly rushed up beside him, her own chain jingling.
“Lieutenant, what’s the trouble?” she asked, pulling up her helmet to spot the figures in the distance.
“We apologise for the worry caused, but we had little time to finish our business, and so it fell into the night,” Vonda said, placing a hand onto her chest and bowing her head lightly.
“Even if you’re young, you shouldn’t be rushing like this,” the older guard said, while the young woman beside him leaned in to whisper something to his ear. The older guard narrowed his eyes further before removing his helmet. “Many blessings upon you Ray.”
“Mother’s blessings upon you.”
“Any trouble?”
“No trouble at all.”
The guard glanced between the others suspiciously. “Iyrmen?”
“Yes,” Jurot replied.
“What business do you have with the Ray?”
“She is my sister.”
“What?”
“What my brother means to say is that Ray Vonda is his sister in law,” Adam explained.
The older guard narrowed his eyes towards the fellow in purple, who had not removed his helmet. “Your brother? You’re no Iyrman.”
“I’m not, but my brother is my brother, and my wife is my wife.”
Vonda sighed, understanding how much confusion the pair were causing. “Though it is awkward to explain, it is true that my husband is the Iyrman’s brother, and I am his wife. Mother Priest gave her blessing for the marriage, and so did Mother Soza.”
The guard cleared his throat. “Of course, Ray. It seems we’ve misunderstood…” His eyes glanced between them all. “We’ll escort you to the inn and leave you be.”
“Thank you.”
‘Oh, right,’ Adam eventually thought, having realised how suspicious they seemed, and how little they had explained things. ‘I’m so glad you’re a Ray, Vonda. One day, your Executive husband will be able to help you in the same way.’
Adam’s heart was uncertain of how he should feel that his wife had assisted him so much. He was a man, a husband, a father, he should also be dependable. However, he also enjoyed the feeling of his wife holding such authority, and doting on him in such a way.
‘Mother Vonda? More like Mommy Vonda, am I right?’
Adam chuckled in his helmet, before noting the attention he received from the others when he randomly chuckled. ‘I’m glad I’m wearing my helmet.’
‘He was definitely thinking something cringe,’ his companions all thought.
They arrived at the inn with little trouble, but Morkarai, Lucy, and Mara all understood how the guards had come to escort them. It was either because of Adam or the Iyrmen, about half of the reason falling on each of them, but if they had to make the bet, they would bet it was Adam’s fault.
The next day, they had gathered upon the ship, crewed by dozens of sailors, while the Captain, a man whose wrinkles were only matched by the number of scars upon his face. While the sailors all busied themselves, the Captain eyed up the Iyrmen, the Ray, the half elf, and the fire giant, who had left his armour in his room.
“Captain,” a younger sailor called, motioning his head to the group who had just arrived. “What’s the deal?”
“I’ll teach you about it once you’re older. Make sure we have enough rocks.” The Captain motioned with a hand to dismiss the teen. ‘I didn’t expect that I’d have to sail with a Prince.’
‘Of course we have enough rocks, old man, I had to wake up early to bring a ton on board!’ The teen grumbled as he walked away. ‘Just you wait until I’m the Captain, I’ll make sure you carry at least fifty rocks on board.’
As the dawn’s sun began to fill the docks with light, the Captain shouted for his workers, and soon the ship left the docks to sail across the sea, heading eastward, until they’d finally head south and west, towards the southern side of Aswadasad.
“Feels weird being on a ship again,” Adam admitted, though he understood why it felt weird to him. He felt so light, and outside of the Iyr, it meant that he was in danger.
“I agree,” Vonda admitted, reaching down to her stomach, massaging it gently, trying to ease her sickness. She could feel a sweat come across her. She inhaled the crisp salty air, reaching out to grab the railings of the ship tightly in hand. ‘The air smells so… unfamiliar.’
Lucy stared out towards the sea, her eyes glued upon the horizon. ‘I probably don’t need to worry about Oathkeepers while I’m out at sea?’
“Why are you all so worried?” Morkarai asked, smirking slightly.
“I don’t like being on a ship,” Jaygak admitted. “Unlike the desert, you can’t wear your armour.”
Morkarai nodded his head, understanding how she felt.
“You probably shouldn’t wear armour in the…” Adam glanced between Morkarai, a giant with a particular affinity with fire, and Jaygak, a devilkin with a particular affinity with fire. “Are you two picking a fight?”
“No fighting on deck,” the Captain said. “The sea brings plenty of fights.”
“Yes,” Jurot said, far too eagerly.
Though the Captain had said the sea would bring them plenty of fights, somehow it was not the sea, but the sky.