studiobondurri [808] – Y03.108 – Life’s Rose IV
[808] – Y03.108 – Life’s Rose IV
[808] – Y03.108 – Life’s Rose IV
“My grandfather lost his leg while facing Lord Asa,” Jurot said, his hand firmly gripping Adam’s shoulder. He pulled the young man down beside him, before he crossed his arms. “I only know great pride for my grandfather, whose leg was taken by the Blood Knight while he fought Lord Asa.”
Thomas cleared his throat, awkwardly. “I meant no disrespect to your grandfather. I just meant to say that those who should have fought are not those who should remain within the Iyr to retire peacefully, but those more suitable.”
“My grandaunt fought Lord Asa with his grandfather,” Jaygak said. “They fought alongside a Vice Commander of the Thousand Hunts, Sir Kris Huntsmaster. He fought bravely beside the Iyrmen, but Lord Asa’s strength far surpasses most.”
“To the Iyr, Lord Asa is considered of similar strength to Great Jaeryael,” Kitool said.
“I understand your proclivity to speak so highly of Lord Asa, since he defeated your elders, but to compare that fellow to the magnificence of Lady Jaeryael, it is humorous at best, and insulting at worst.”
“It is a great shame that Lord Asa did not defeat our elders,” Jaygak stated.
“The bout was undecided,” Jurot said.
“It is a great shame,” Kitool stated.
“Though the emphasis has been placed on Lord Asa, it was King Merryweather who caused such death. His brilliant mind, and his great blade, was what caused so much avoidable death.” Thomas shook his head. “It is a great shame.” However, he could say no more, not since he had grown up hearing such great tales about the previous King’s Sword, to the point they overshadowed even the current King’s Sword.
Adam still felt the simmering anger within himself. ‘Stupid Aldishmen and their stupid stupidness.’ “I mean, it’s not like King Merryweather is... actually, he is pretty strong.”
Thomas smiled ever so slightly. Not even the braggart was stupid enough to speak so poorly of the Florian King.
“Speaking of King Merryweather, my brother here got to face him a few years back.”
“I’m sure you’ll say he won.”
“No, that would be ridiculous, Hope Thomas,” Adam said, raising his brow. “However, he did use two Fourth Gate spells against my brother.”
Jurot’s lips twitched into a small smile. “Yes.”
“Of course, I am certain,” Thomas replied, almost sighing out.
“Since you won’t listen to we commonfolk, you can ask... what was his name?”
“Sir Landon.”
“That’s right, Sir Landon Littlesea. He was with us. We went on to defeat a twilight fox for him. He’s been rather decent to us, considering that he’s a-,”
“Adam,” Jaygak said, raising her brows.
“Anyway, he’s a great fellow. Speaking of which, we didn’t go see him when we were in East Port.”
“Sir Landon has married,” Jurot said.
“Really? Ah, right, he wanted a gift for the Lady he was courting. We should go congratulate him at some point.”
Thomas glanced at the group before them all. “What else would you like to speak of? That you have slain dragons?”
“I mean... yes, but they weren’t, you know, big dragons.”
“You slew Vandra,” Jurot said.
“I assisted in slaying Vandra,” Adam corrected.
“I know that too!”
“Me too.”
“Me too.”
The children chattered between one another, while Cobra watched with a curious look. ‘Did he pick a fight with a Hope.’ She glanced aside to Rick, who raised his brows in a way to say that this was about as expected. ‘It’s a Hope!’
Dunes sighed, sipping on the milk the Fourth Hope had offered to him. “It is Lady Arya who teases me. The moment I speak of Adam and his proclivity to causing trouble, I hear him challenge the Seventh Hope.”
“He would trouble even a Hope?” Hope Willow asked, raising her brow curiously.
“If Adam could, he would trouble the Divine themselves,” Dunes said, before recalling the events of the previous year. ‘No, he’s already troubled them.’
“Is causing trouble within our temple so praiseworthy?”
“Adam might cause trouble, he might be disrespectful, but he had a good heart. Jurot mentioned something about his grandfather being spoke ill of. I am sure the Hope did not mean any disrespect, but Adam is very twitchy about his family.”
“His family? He is no Iyrman.”
“From what I know, Adam has lost his family, and it was the Iyr which adopted him. It seems Hope Robert wishes to see Adam’s abilities. I hope he is willing to accept the consequences of such an action.”
“Should he be reminded that this is the Holy Temple of Our Great Mother, the Goddess of Life?”
“I’m sure Adam...” Dunes leaned back. “Adam.”
Adam, who was putting on his breastplate, turned slightly. “Yeah?”
“This is a temple of life,” Dunes said. “Please.”
“I’m not stupid enough to kill someone in the temple of life,” Adam replied, only to hear Dunes loudly slurping on his cup.
“You seem so certain Adam is going to win.”
“Do you wish to bet?”
“Are you asking a Hope to bet?”
“Are you suggesting a priest has asked a Hope to bet?”
“We will welcome a donation of one hundred gold to the temple if Adam defeats our Seventh Hope.”
“I will welcome your support in keeping Adam alive in case he does something ridiculous,” Dunes replied. “It would be beneficial for you.”
Hope Willow, a pretty woman with short hair, dark eyes, and a large build, that which would have been best for a member of Black Mountain, smiled wide. “What has he done for you to speak so highly of him?”
“There is a saying in the Iyr,” Dunes said, before sipping the last of his milk.
‘Are you trying to get me killed?’ Lucy’s eyes pierced towards Adam’s back as he changed. ‘Damn it! Adam! Damn you to the Fires of Averzon!’
Dunes placed down his cup, before glancing aside to his companions, who had gotten so used to Adam’s antics, they continued their conversations casually while preparing to watch the fight.
“Adam is Adam.”
It's actually happening?