“I greet the Moon,” the guard said, placing her hands together, palm to palm, and bowing her head towards the dark skinned woman, adorned all in white, hiding her thinness, who sat within a wheeled chair. She sat within the Dome of Life, that which Noor’s rays raised, although out of all the domes which represented the various faces of the Lord of Light, this one at the very least had enough shame to possess a faceless statue of a woman, the Mother of all the Divine, with all the quirks that denoted the two missing figures only few possessed the knowledge of. 

The dark skinned woman smiled in return, though since the woman was a guard for the Amira, she raised a hand to dismiss the convention. “What is the issue?”

“The Amira has requested for Kal Zahid’s presence,” the guard replied. “There is a figure who claims to have duelled the Fariq of High Garden, and had defeated him.”

The Crimson Blade turned, facing towards the female guard, not just any guard either, but a guard for the Amira, one he had personally trained. His hair was peppered with silver, but mostly dark, with a hint of red, as though dyed with blood, his moustache almost like a red caterpillar atop his lip, while his beard was barely a finger digit thick. He wore no armour, as one might have expected within this temple, but at his side he wore a blade of crimson, in which he claimed his epithet. It was a beautiful blade, which held a great power within, which allowed him to take the title of Sun Commander of the Malika's Golden Guard. 

“A figure who claims to have defeated the Fariq of High Garden?” Crimson Blade replied, brushing his moustache, curling it at the tip in amusement. “I recall the Amira is meeting with a business which dealt with…”

It was then the Crimson Blade remembered. Wasn’t there also a half dragon, who was mostly likely a dragon, also with the group?

“Am I to spar this figure?” the Crimson Blade, Kal Zahid, asked, feeling a lightness within his chest, then the flooding of delight. 

“Yes, Kal.”

“Malika, may I ask permission to leave?” Kal Zahid asked. 

“I cannot pray for you to leave quickly enough,” the Malika replied, a playful smile across her lips, the woman raising a hand to dismiss the warrior. 

“At your command, Malika,” the man replied, bowing deeply, before marching out, with a swiftness in his steps, eagerly wishing to face the half dragon in combat. 

“He is too old to be behaving that giddy,” the Malika joked, flashing a warm smile towards the Moon Commander of the Malika's Golden Guard, the unofficial Commander, that of a woman adorned all in white, her eyes peeking through her scarf, her eyes bright emerald. 

“I do not wish to hear that from you, Malika,” the woman replied, raising up her scarf to sip her tea, even though it was just the women here, she remained on guard. She thought of the figure the Crimson Blade would face. 

It was more than likely the half dragon, wasn’t it?

The Malika hoped she could watch the half elf fight, and her eyes darted to the side, towards the Radiant Blade, and began plotting to cause trouble. 

Meanwhile, another’s words also caused trouble. 

“Luckily my children were able to watch, and it seems their nightmares have lessened,” the half elf said, unable to bring the strength to smile, barely able to keep his heart still, the pounding filling even his ears, the heat of rage flooding through him. 

“I am sorry to hear what has happened to your children, Brother,” the Amira said, bringing her hands up together, palm to palm. “I will pray they are able to recover well.”

“Me too,” the half elf replied. 

“There are many gardens within our land, each said to calm one’s heart,” the Amira said, her voice calm and clear, though dripping with sympathy. “Perhaps they could enjoy their time within.”

Adam fell quiet for a moment, stunned by the offer. However, considering she was a royal, she probably didn’t mean it, or did she, and so refusing would be considered a slight? Didn’t she think they were goblins and demons? “I appreciate the offer, Amira. Perhaps I will take you up on it.”

Noting the guard he held up, the Amira wondered if perhaps his foolishness was all an act, an assumption many had already made about the half elf. “Do you intend to nurture your children into greater positions within the business?”

“I want them to live their lives however they want. If they want a place in the business, they’ll have it.” The half elf seemed to beam, though it was obvious that would be the case to all of them, since he was thinking of his children. “You know, our little sister is six years old. She’s grown so big, even though we didn’t give her permission. We have the workers call her the Young President, and my children are referred to as the Young Executives, Little Executives, Little Bosses, along those lines. They’re cute titles, for the cutest children, but it shows that, if they want it, they may take the roles that I have made for them, if they’re willing to put in the work to make sure they don’t do a terrible job.”

“It is only right for a parent to pave the way for their children.”

Adam inhaled deeply, for he knew so many would call it something else. He was glad he was rich, because instead of it being called a handout, it was called an inheritance, one that could not be taxed, and so his family would grow richer and richer as generations passed, but it was up to him to make sure they were not corrupted by the great wealth. The half elf winced, for he understood it would be difficult to not spoil them. 

“If they want to become alchemists, they can. If they want to become enchanters, they can. If they want to become Paragons, they can. If they want to live their lives peacefully within the Iyr, they can. Whatever my children want, I will make it a reality, save for, you know, stuff like conquering the world, then I’m going to have to speak with Jirot, and probably Virot, maybe even Larot, about that sort of thing, because it’s too hard, for little benefit, and it’s far too dangerous, so that can remain a childish whim.”

The Amira was certain, without a shadow of doubt, this young half elf was the Crazy Father. She understood why so many had warned her about him, and she was glad she had taken their words seriously. He also felt like someone she knew, a fool of a father, though she quickly closed up the hole that would perhaps allow him to slip in. 

“Your business, such a grand business that it is, for very few deal in magical weapons, especially the kind that can gift away Greater Enhanced blades upon a first meeting, even for a Princess,” Miriam said, smiling warmly, though it was full of politeness. “Who has your business worked with?”

“We’ve worked with a great number of figures,” Adam admitted, trying to recall. “We’ve worked with the Grand Duchess of the North, Lady Aeda, who asked us to enchant a grand blade for the future Knights of Death. We have worked with the Duchess of East Port, though I don’t quite recall the exact blade that was enchanted for her, forgive me, and we’ve worked with some more nobles across the land. Oh, actually, one of our first projects was for Queen Silvari, Entalia, if you’ve heard of her?”

“You have worked with Queen Silvari?” Miriam asked, her eyes narrowing towards the half elf, for working with the two Duchesses was already a great feat, even just one of them, especially the Grand Duchess, said enough about their business, but Queen Silvari of Drakkenlen? 

“That’s right, I think she was our first, so we started off with quite a bang!” Adam chuckled. “She wanted a sword enchanted, with certain enchantments, those we must keep secret, but to give you a little clue, the blade was called the Deep Flame Blade, and let me tell you, it’s a beautiful sword, and with the most beautiful enchantment.”

Miriam could see the pride in the half elf’s eyes, not the kind of pride that came from dealing with such a weapon, but something much deeper. The Amira remained silent, staring deep into the half elf’s eyes. Perhaps he had not realised what he had just done, but the Amira remained silent as the memories flooded back to her, hearing the complaints so many years ago. 

“Your…” Miriam kept the half elf’s gaze, uncertain of how much she should give away. “The United Kindom…”

Adam tensed up slightly as a blade appeared from nowhere in particular, glowing brightly with purple fire, as the Amira held the blade in front of her, causing Dunes to tense up, though Jurot and Kitool remained unphased. Adam’s eyes darted along the blade, as beautiful as it was, mesmerised once more by the purple flames which danced around the blade. 

“Wait,” Adam said, tilting his head, noting the look within her eyes. “You’re her friend’s daughter?”

‘You are the Enchanter?’ Amira’s thoughts raced. 

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What?