Chương 1820: [1717] – Y07.217 – The Lightness In Their Hearts II

As the noonval sun fell upon them, Elder Teacher circled around a particular idea. It was his responsibility to deal with it, but he hadn't figured out an appropriate idea for the festivals yet. It was important, for he would set the precedent for the next century or so, perhaps even for the next millennia. What did it mean to be the Iyr in the twenty first century? After two millennia, after the Blackwater Crisis, and the other one, what did it mean to be the Iyr?

After the Year of Silence, after coming in contact with various Anomalies, when their warriors had managed to gain great strength, and the youngsters were beginning to blossom so quickly? He lay back, rubbing his eyes, letting out a low groan, until, finally, he had to meet with the other Great Elders, and as the warm wind accompanied him upon his journey, he found the Great Elders each awaiting for him, some with great pressures upon their shoulders, others who seemed to wish for such pressures.

"I apologise for my lateness," Elder Teacher joked, for though he was the last to arrive, he was not late, and as he sat opposite the other Great Elders, he shared his tea, and as they began their conversations, the tea whittled away, until another pot was brewed, and then another.

"I will know upon the turn of the decade," Elder Teacher assured, for there was still some time to construct meaning for the various elements of the festivals, in the same way another Great Elder had previously done so. Meanwhile, another held a heavy heart, thinking of a previous conversation.

"It was difficult," Baztam had admitted.

"The Grand Malawi, he had decided to bare his fangs, and now…"

"The children's hearts are heavy?" Iromin had replied.

"I should have slain him where he stood."

"It was good to show restraint, for the children may have been in danger," Iromin had said, and as the two wallowed in the silence, Baztam raised a brow.

"I have spoken with Elder Peace, and it is she who will decide on the matter."

"I hope…" Baztam had begun, but he did not continue, instead sipping his tea. As Iromin returned to the present, he looked to all the Great Elders, and as he placed down his teacup in a particular way, he clasped his hands together.

"It seems the children still fear the world." The Great Elders let out awkward sighs, some side eyeing Elder Peace, who sipped her tea lightly.

"To think I have failed this terribly…"

"It is not your fault, the Aldish are the Aldish, the Aswadians are the Aswadians, and we are the Iyr," Elder Wrath replied, the man who had inherited the position after Bovin stepped down, all because of the Lion King. This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Iromin didn't want to admit his idea of sending the children forward in the future, for he wasn't sure if he could speak the words, if he was allowed to, or if it was wise to, and yet he couldn't help but think, perhaps it would be best for them? To send the children out to see the great might of the Iyr, not to a peaceful nation like Aswadasad, and not with so few Iyrmen, and especially not where it would be troublesome to draw their steel.

However, if something happened to them because of the Reavers, he would cut his own throat if something were to happen, and so he buried his worries in his heart, and sipped his tea.

"At this time, we should rely on their father, and their mother, who will take care of their hearts, and we should sharpen our steel," Elder Forest said, glancing aside to Elder Gold, who nodded, and yet, though they spoke the words, their hearts ached. Why shouldn't they just step out and slaughter them all?

"The matter with the Aldish…" Iromin began, his eyes falling to Elder Peace.

"I shall send word soon, but for now, we shall continue to behave appropriately," Elder Peace replied, rubbing along her beads, for they had already sent quite the statement to the Aldishmen, and soon they would try to figure out what to do. How unfortunate they were distracted by the Reavers, otherwise they would have marched onto the Iyr, and they would have found themselves under the steel of the Iyr.

The Iyr could have slaughtered Red Oak, and should they wish for it, have gone beyond, towards Deadwood, or Eagle Wing, or, perhaps, they could have had a chance to assassinate the King, and a great many of his new Grand Army, and they could ask for greater concessions. Elder Peace had already drafted out the demands of the Iyr depending on which path the King wished to take, and even had plans for Elder Forest and Elder Gold, who would need to prepare depending on which path the King wished to take.

However, there was the matter of the children, who were so sweet of heart, so green of skin, so amber of eyes, for it they were to send the children out next year, as she assumed the Chief would wish to do, then they would need to show greater mercy. Or, would they need to show less mercy, so they understood, and then they would parade the children, to let all know what the Iyr was willing to do for their children.

'I am honoured to have such a difficult choice,' Elder Peace couldn't help but think. It was at that time, however, when they decided to rely on the children's father, that they had also made their own preparations.

Adam gasped, blinking as the carriages rolled in, and he stood, almost charging towards them, and as the children stepped out, Adam lifted them up one by one, picking up Kavgak first, much to her annoyance, and yet she did not speak her annoyance, for though she wished to help the other children, she also needed to deal with her troublesome cousin.

"You!" Adam declared, planting firm kisses all along the girl's cheeks, and then placed her down, swarming all the children with his affection, all the while the twins and triplets rushed over to greet the children. Kavgak turned, facing Virot, and as the two caught one another's gaze, Kavgak opened her arms, and the girl flushed, rushing up to her kako, and the two embraced.

"Virot. Good girl." Kavgak planted a firm kiss on her cheek and hugged her, tightly, but not too tightly, as her mother had taught her.

"Kako…" Adam's eyes threatened to burn with tears as he saw all the children, and how they showered his children with such affection.

"You punks! Who gave you permission to be so cute!"

"I did!" Lanarot declared, widening her stance, ready to battle her brother.

"You! You dare!" Adam held out his palms.

"Courting death!" Lanarot raised her fists.