Beyond Chaos – A DiceRPG
[1198] – Y06.098 – Trouble in Our Hearts VIII

The group managed to arrive at the outpost without much bother, and with Jurot’s words looming over the half elf’s mind, and with Mork taking the lead once more, the group found no bother. 

‘Huh?’ Adam thought, for it had gone so easily, but it wasn’t just because it had gone too easily…

“Many blessings to Lady Tempest and to you, Brother Mork,” the Commander of the small outpost called out with joy, patting Mork’s shoulders. She was short, but strongly built, in her mid forties or so, though it was hard to tell since her hair was almost as white as her scales. Upon her brow she wore a dozen tiny piercings which curled down the side of her face, forming a crescent moon. 

“Ahahaha,” Mork replied, gritting his teeth slightly, for though she was short, as she pat his shoulder it was as though thunder rocked through him. ‘How are you so strong?’

“It’s no wonder the river has been flowing so heavily recently, since you must have been praying so hard, the Lady has been blessing the hills with more rain!” the woman almost cackled, half dragging the Priest about with her strong grip. 

“Ahahaha, who is to say?” Mork thought, gritting his teeth harder, his shoulders beginning to bruise. ‘I should have worn my armour!’

Tork’s eyes shone brightly towards the woman, who was so loud, proud, and though she was small of stature, was almost tossing her brother about. ‘Lady Tempest, once I am in Gold Port, I will donate an additional gold!’

Adam watched the scene with a small bemused smile. “It seems… there are plenty of things which bloom in noonval?”

“Adam, we cannot cause trouble,” Dunes said, placing a hand on the half elf’s shoulder.

“Oh, come on! It’s not trouble!”

“It is.”

“Just a little bit?”

“You promised Jurot.”

“How could you invoke my brother’s name like that right away?” Adam sniffled.

Tork screamed within his heart the next morning, for he had been too cowardly to approach Commander Caydra. He had the opportunity when Mork offered to pray, and even though she had accepted their prayer since it was going to be free, before they even mentioned it was free, he had let the opportunity slip. 

“She had such pretty horns,” Laygak mused aloud within their carriage.

“Yes,” Taygak replied. 

“Not as pretty as yours!” Laygak assured, ruffling his sister’s hair, the teen flushing slightly. 

‘My horns are nicer…’ Bael thought, resting his chin over a fist, half asleep after his micronap of only six or so hours, as they continued to make their way towards the next outpost.

The small fortress welcomed them towards midday, the sun still high in the sky as they cast their shadows towards the Order. It had been built around the river, the large village around it expanding out like a flower. Though the banners were of white and what seemed to be a purple with a hint of orange, it was once the home to the most famous Order within these lands. 

Jonn stared at the walls of the order, the walls he once called home, but a boy when they had adopted him. His eyes gazed across the fields he had worked, noting the specks of the villagers. He eyed up the walls, now manned by unfamiliar faces, even the little boys and girls not those he would have taught. 

‘I hope the apple trees remain.’

The warriors stood at attention as they waited for the carriages, and out of respect for Commander Silversky, the Honeysuckle Sword, the Grand Commander of the Heroic Honeysuckle, stood at attention to greet him. 

As the pair greeted one another, hushed whispers darted through the carriage.

“I’ll be good,” Adam whispered.

“We should allow Uwajin to lead.”

“I know Kitool can-, Uwajin?” Adam asked.

“Yes.”

‘Uwajin?’ Adam thought.

The young Iyrman stood at attention, no longer quite as slumped in her tiredness, but full of Iyrmanly spirit. The woman glared towards the Honeysuckle Sword, holding the small chest within her hands as she waited for permission to approach.

‘Why is she- ah!’ the Honeysuckle Sword thought, recognising the tattoos upon her forehead, the hollow oval of purple, and the green vertical infinities that flanked outwards from it. He raised a hand towards the young woman, allowing her to approach him. 

“I am Uwajin!” the woman declared, holding out the chest, which jangled lightly, meaning it was packed to the brim of silver, easily hundreds of silver within. 

“I had the pleasure of meeting one… two of your family.”

“My grandfather, Rajin, the Bearded Dragon, and my cousin, Timojin, who is still forming his name.”

Sir Harold had not managed to become the Honeysuckle Sword because he had the same name as the King, but because he was strong and wise, wise enough to recall the name Bearded Dragon, and wise enough to recall the strength her cousin displayed in clashing against him. Certainly, he would not have lost, but to deny the terrifying force that was Timojin, who had stated his intention to become the Chief, would have been a great folly.

The tension in the air remained as the Honeysuckle Sword held onto the chest, and as the seconds passed, he let out a small sigh, bowing his head lightly. ‘Did they really have to pack the silver so tightly within this chest?’

The name of the Bearded Dragon, the presence of his granddaughter, and the chest of silver had allowed them to enter the Order without trouble. However, was there such a thing as without trouble when it came to that half elf?

“Sir Honeysuckle Sword,” called a voice, full of feigned respect, before he let out a grunt as his brother slapped his shoulder. “If you would be willing to make some time, we would like to speak of some business between the United Kindom and the Order of the Har-… Heroic Honeysuckle.”

Sir Harold narrowed his eyes slightly, for those who misspoke the name as Harmonic Honeysuckle always annoyed him terribly. “What business is this?”

“The business of a gift of a Greater Enhanced sword, as well as the offer to procure magical items from our business, the United Kindom, during this turbulent time full of such wicked creatures as the Reavers.”

Sir Harold blinked. ‘I suppose that is quite some business.’

As the half elf and the Iyrman followed the Grand Commander of the Order, Adam paused. “Jonn, you alright?”

“Yes, Executive,” Jonn replied, though the complex emotions continued to swirl within his chest. His eyes fell to the side, towards the apple trees, which remained rooted firmly within the ground, filling his heart with relief.

Adam followed Sir Harold to a small wooden cabin, where they found a single room, furnished with a bed, a table, a desk and various cabinets against one wall. Adam spotted the lush carpets and walls full of tapestries, each with the designs of Floria, a myriad of pink, purple, and gold flowers upon white, heavily influenced by the nearby towns, and by Gold Port. Then there was the bowl above the fireplace, with a single stick of incense, which Sir Harold lit, the gentle floral scent filling the air. He brought out a small kettle, and as he placed it upon the wood, the water began to squeal. 

As the pot boiled, a servant brought a platter of biscuits, which were stamped with a honeysuckle, and as Adam bit into it, he could taste the gentle flavour of honey which danced on his tongue, as though a single drop had been spread across the entire biscuit. 

“These biscuits taste delicious,” Adam complimented, throwing a look to Jurot with surprise and delight, while he continued to nibble them. “Tastes a little bit like shortbread, with the tiniest bit of honey. Definitely one of the best I’ve had in years.”

“Thank you,” Sir Harold replied. ‘At least he is polite?’

‘He looks pretty handsome,’ Adam thought, noting the Grand Commander’s appearance, the man a silver fox, his hair white and burnt amber, his eyes a beautiful green, like the reflection of the leaf upon its dew.

“We have come to speak with you of a matter…” Jurot nodded to Adam.

“Right! I am Executive Adam, of the United Kindom, though… I believe we’ve partly met before.” Adam smiled innocently, already going off script. 

‘A Greater Enhanced sword?’ Honeysuckle Sword thought once Adam had explained his offer. He calculated what the half elf was offering, and what was expected in return. ‘Such a wonderful weapon gifted so freely? Why?’

“We’re offering each of the Florian Orders such a gift, so don’t feel too burdened,” Adam said, waving his hand dismissively. “We’re also here to ask if you would like to order… I mean… procure? If you would like to procure some magical items in exchange for money. Buy. That’s the word I was looking for, buy.”

‘Is he an idiot?’

“We’re currently offering a deal to the Florian Orders,” Adam began, explaining the deal to Sir Harold, who was even more baffled by the half elf’s words. 

“You wish to offer us the chance to buy ten Basic Enhanced weapons, and you will also offer an additional ten Basic spears?” Sir Harold’s eyes scanned into the half elf’s eyes, trying to find the trickery within.

“No, no. You can buy magical items from us. However, we are offering the opportunity of additional magical spears, Basic, if you order, uh, buy, Basic Enhanced weapons from us, up to a maximum of ten. I mean, you can buy twenty Basic Enhanced weapons, but we will only offer the free Basic weapons up to ten.” Adam sipped the tea, which held a far more powerful taste, causing him to wince, and quickly reach for another biscuit. 

Sir Harold remained silent as curiosity. 

“We wish to form good relations with the Florian Orders,” Jurot said. “We will speak with the King separately about our relationship with him.”

“You will speak to the King?”

“It is why we are heading to Gold Port.”

“…” Sir Harold waited for the request, but it never came. ‘You do not want me to write a letter to the King? Are you waiting for me to offer such? I may be able to, but…’

‘Man, these biscuits are great,’ Adam thought. ‘I wish I had some tea instead of this kind of tea. A little bit of milk and sugar and this would be perfect.’ 

The rumble of thunder filled the air.

Adam sighed, but paused. 

The rumble of thunder was followed shortly by another. 

“Oh? It’s not Bael this time?”

It was going far too well.