Beyond Chaos – A DiceRPG

“Jurot, I need some help,” Adam whispered, glancing towards the Iyrman to his side. The first week had passed, and Adam had promised to spend the seventh day with his children. It was still early in the morning, the group all eating together. This time breakfast had only been delayed by an hour, as Jirot broke the bread for her brother, offering it to his lips. Jarot took a bite, returning to his own meal, nibbling away at it, and his sister continued to eat her own meal. 

“What is it?” Jurot asked, holding Damrot close to his chest, the boy sucking his thumb as he cuddled up to his father’s large chest. 

“I am probably going to need to work through the festival this time…”

“Hmm,” Jurot replied, understanding Adam’s apprehension. He was right to be so worried, since his children had spoken so excitedly of the festival, and how much they wished to explore it. Adam wouldn’t have mentioned it unless it was important. ‘He is making the rings?’

Adam could feel how heavy his brother was thinking about his words. It was that kind of topic and Adam wasn’t just asking for protection, the stress of enchanting so much was beginning to weight heavily upon his shoulders, as well as the stress that came with neglecting his family. The last month had passed him by just like that, and this week had passed by almost as swiftly. 

“Will you be able to spend the evenings with them as usual?” Jurot asked.

“Yeah.”

“What of the mornings, if you are to delay your enchanting?”

“Yeah.”

“Hmm…” Jurot thought about the festival, before he stopped thinking about it as another thought popped into his mind. “The festival this year is changing.”

“Huh?” Adam asked, his eyes darting aside to stare at his brother. He leaned in slightly, and for once, wasn’t pretending to steal Damrot from the Iyrman. “What do you mean changing?”

“Elder Teacher and Elder Forest have decided to change the festivals going forward.”

Adam blinked. “What?”

“They shall remain during the last week of each month, but the activities and the meanings are to change,” Jurot said, but in a tone that suggested this was perfectly normal, and not something that happened less than even once per generation. 

“They can do that?”

“Yes. Due to the chaotic times we live in, with the Year of Silence and the Reavers, the Great Elders have decided to change certain matters within the Iyr. We cannot fall into old habits during such a time. We must understand the importance that is the turn of the millennium, and the time we live in.”

‘Damn!’ Adam felt the chill run through him again. He glanced aside towards the rest of his family, from his wife, to his children, to his cousins and his aunts and uncles. The older Iyrmen must have known, and yet they didn’t inform him about it? Did that mean it wasn’t a big deal? No, wasn’t it a big deal? They just didn’t want it to seem like a big deal?

“It is within their rights,” Jurot said, trying to reassure his brother, noting the shock upon his face.  

“That sounds like a big deal, though…”

“It is a big deal, it is a small deal.”

“What does that mean?”

“Kitool can explain it better than I.”

Kitool approached the pair after Jurot called for her, the woman having returned with Jitool, who needed to be changed. Jitool joined Jirot and Jarot, eating with them, the girl sharing her fruit with the siblings, her bright smile feeding Adam’s heart.

“It is within their rights,” Kitool began to explain, but seeing as that Adam was still shocked, and assuming Jurot had already explained such, the woman fell silent for a moment to think. “It is a large shift in regards to the Iyr, but it is not unprecedented. The Great Elders have decided it is time to change. It is a signal to the Iyr. You are surprised, but rather than surprise, you must accept it, as we all have, and to follow the Iyr’s lead. If you do not, you will find yourself sinking behind the ship.”

“I guess…”

“The Iyr is changing, but the Iyr is the Iyr. The Iyr you see today is almost unrecognisable to the Iyr from a thousand years ago. That Iyr is almost unrecognisable to the Iyr a thousand years before that. Almost.”

“Almost?”

“We follow our ways. An Iyrman a thousand years ago will draw their blade at the Iyr’s request. An Iyrman today will draw their blade at the Iyr’s request. That has not changed. When the Iyr was first founded, it may have been different, but we Iyrmen have decided to follow this way, and that will not change, or it may lead to the Iyr’s destruction.”

“Right… so how’s it changing?”

“We will find out the week before.”

“You said it was Elder Forest and Elder Teacher, right?” Adam said, thinking about their duties. “Yeah, I guess that makes sense.”

“Elder Forest will take the lead, since Elder Teacher is also changing the curriculum, again.”

“Again?”

“He changed it in the last few years. It is typical for it to change, at least once every generation, though usually it is once a decade. Rarely is it twice a decade, but this time, Elder Teacher changed it thoroughly, only for the Reavers to arrive.”

“Why is that relevant?”

“It is required, just in case the Reavers remain for long. The next generation must know of their threat, so all the Iyr knows of the Reavers must be passed on. We, too, have been briefed on the Reavers. Elder Teacher will also increase the physical education, to make sure we remain safe for the next generation. Even if we defeat the Reavers, it may come at a great cost, a cost that is to be born by the next generation.”

‘Damn,’ Adam thought, his eyes darting between Jurot and Kitool. “If the Reavers do cause a bigger mess, I guess we’ll have to do something about it.”

‘If he is making a joke, I must have assuaged his worries,’ Kitool thought.

“We should probably take Bael with us to fight the Reavers, unless he wants to kick it? Oh! What if we take Bael with us to Aswadasad? He might like that, right?”

“He may,” Jurot confirmed. 

“We should ask him. He’s probably bored at the Front Iyr, since he’s a battle maniac. Seriously, what a guy, who is bored in the Iyr?” Adam tutted, crossing his arms in thought. It felt weird to cross his arms, and Adam glanced around, realising why. 

“No!” Virot complained, rushing up to her mother. 

‘Virot, it’s getting a little hurtful now…’ Adam frowned, watching as Damrot followed her away. ‘Seriously…’

“Adam,” Jurot called, watching as his son abandoned him, leaving him with a pained heart. He thought to tease his brother about it, but since Adam had entrusted him, he decided to forgive him, just this once. “There is a way to deal with the situation.”

“Yeah?”

“You must ask him.”

Adam let out a sigh. He had hoped Jurot would help, but if he felt like he couldn’t handle it, then it was a big deal. ‘I guess I’ll need to ask him.’

“What is he doing?” Tanagek asked, watching the half elf approach the Mad Dog, bringing Danagek and Dagek with him to the shared estate. 

“He is asking for help,” Jurot replied.

“Ah,” Chosen said, placing Chisen down. 

“Why does he look like that?” Tanagek asked.

“He is making the same face you make when you ask me for help,” Chosen informed.

“Ah.”

Adam approached the one armed old man, who growled quietly as the triplets quickly rushed away from him towards their papos. ‘Damn it! What terrible timing!’

“Ha! My grandson has come to replace my greatchildren!” Jarot pat his lap. “Come! Sit!”

“You old-,” Adam began, though quickly flexed his muscles. “Grandfather, I need help.”

Jarot exhaled. “You are going to work through the festival?”

“No, I…” Adam furrowed his brows.

“Do you think I do not my own grandson?” Jarot growled. “Since you have come to me, it must be because of that.”

‘Come on,’ Adam thought, flushing slightly. ‘Seriously…’

Old Jarot looked to Jirot, who washed her mouth and wiped it clean, checking on Jarot and Jitool, making sure their mouths were clean too. The old man felt a squeeze at his heart. “You brat! How could you-!” 

Adam raised his brows in shock as the old man flashed red with anger, though it quickly passed. He flushed harder, and though he may have been cringe, he had enough shame to realise what he was doing and how wrong it was. 

“What is so important that you would even work through the festival at this time?”

“I need to make some Rings of Protection.”

Jarot remained silent, holding his grandson’s gaze. “Do you think we do not have enough rings to hand our own children?”

“You should use them for those who will fight against the Reavers.”

“Are we so poor we cannot afford such items?”

“You should save the money, especially at a time like this.”

“We have already bought many such rings!”

“It’s always good to have more, though, and plus… these are rings for the business.”

Jarot could have pushed for more, but seeing the half elf’s ears drop, his hands crossed sheepishly in front of him, the old man let out a sigh. His eyes met Gangak’s, who told him that he had done enough, and the old man reached up to rub the side of his neck. Of all the things Adam was doing, this was probably one of the best reasons to work through the festival. 

“You have come to me since you could not ask your wife,” Jarot accused. “Since I will take the rage, you should spend more time with her. You are lucky enough to marry a Ray, you brat! Shower her in gold if she does not like blood!”

“It’s just that any time we’re alone…” Adam cleared his throat, hiding his red face.

Jarot flashed red hot with rage again, but this time it was to stop himself from bursting into laughter. 

Gangak was glad the old man had decided to keep his wits about himself. “I will inform the children.”

Jarot’s anger turned more real as he aimed it towards the woman. “I will do it!”

“Okay,” Gangak replied, having distracted the old man so her grandson could flee, except, as always, he hadn’t taken the hint. ‘Should I go with them to Aswadasad?’

Gangak understands Adam can’t be left on his own.