'Hold on, wasn't I exiled?' Adam thought, standing before the outpost, the walls looming over the group, all the while the heavily armoured figure glared out towards the group. She glared towards the group since she held the position to glare at such a large group, but as they revealed themselves, her eyes turned from a glare to a curiosity.

"What a blessed day," the young woman said, greeting the group personally once they had rolled into the outpost, her eyes darting between the entire group.

"It is so," the woman with the bow replied, instantly causing the Commander to tense up, not expecting her to speak up. Indeed, even the others within the Iyrman's own group seemed startled she spoke up, for who had expected the half elf to step up and request she step forward until they returned to the Iyr, where Maharan would be brought safely.

"I am Commander Orla Plumefield," the young woman introduced herself.

"I am Sokikez, though you may know me as the Raining Bow," Sokikez greeted.

'The Raining Bow!' the young woman thought, having thought the woman seemed familiar. As those of Floria, where their archers were considered among the best, especially the likes of the Whirlwind Arrows, who had recently defended the nearby lands, how could she have not heard of such a figure? If the Raining Bow was personally leading the group, it meant they could not trouble such a group, not that they would have originally.

As the group settled themselves into the outpost for the day, deciding against pushing forward towards the western outpost. They passed along the appropriate coin to the outpost, as well as an additional pouch.

"Don't feel too heavy about accepting my offer," Adam said, dropping down beside John, feeling the ache within his body. It was always worst when returning. "If you decide against accepting the offer, then this is where we part ways. I'll give you some coin and consider it part of my misfortune."

"I do not believe I will be able to refuse."

"If you want to, you can. I'll just feel annoyed that I can't spoil the three." Adam thought about the triplets, who seemed so cute. "I really want to spoil them…"

"I will go too," Yasha informed a short while later. "I will continue his training and return with the Silver Fate Squad."

"Makes sense…" Adam thought about who else to send, considering the logistics of the situation. "Manager Jonn, you should go too."

"Yes, Executive."

'Who else should go too, though?'

"I will go," Korin spoke up,

"I will go too," Sara added, since Korin going without her seemed like trouble, but since she also possessed a noble title, it would assist them on their journey.

"I intend to return too, for the girl should be fine without my feedings, since she is able to eat so well," Anka informed.

"Thank you so much for watching over her as you have, and I apologise again for taking you away from little Barak."

"It is fine," Anka assured, smiling warmly. "I apologise for not being able to join you on your adventure, nor the Sword of the Lady, but I should return to the Order to complete my duties."

"Once more, thank you, and should you ever require my assistance, know that I am always open to listening," the half elf promised, bowing his head respectfully. 'I hope Amal doesn't cry too much.'

As the day passed by, a group made their way to the outpost from the east. They were a group of five, in their forties or so, and each were no doubt Experts, for there was no way such a small group could survive with the gryphons all around them if they were not.

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One in particular, a man with copper hair, a sharp jaw, cleanly shaved that morning, with eyes the colour of fresh leaves, stared out towards the half elf. He wore steel armour, and carried at his side a blade and a club, and upon his front hung an amulet. One might have thought he would be a Priest of Nature, of the Lord Gale, but the amulet that hung over his chest was very different.

"The Lord of Death bless you, Your Eminence," the Priest said to the half elf.

"Well now, I'm not an Eminence," Adam replied, smiling awkwardly as he waves his hand to dismiss such words away, feeling his heartbeat quicken.

The Priest bowed his head, but reached into his cloak, pulling out a small hourglass, no bigger than his thumb. Within liquid magic, which shimmered in all manner of colours, slipped through the centre, and fluttered so beautifully. The liquid was roughly even on both sides, seemingly.

"Would you be willing to hold my hourglass for a moment?"

"What does it do?"

"It is an hourglass," the Father replied.

Adam wanted to refuse, but since he was a Priest of Death, and showed that much respect, the half elf reached out for the hourglass. As Adam held it, the magic within the hourglass froze in place instantly, and turned from mostly silver with glittering edges, to lifeless grey.

'That doesn't seem good.'

"Thank you," the Father said, holding out his hand for the hourglass, accepting it from Adam's grasp. The Father then undid a strand of his sleeve, holding it out to the half elf. "A gift."

"Thank you?" Adam replied, accepting the strand, though almost immediately recalled the magics that would allow the Priest to… No, wait, weren't those Wizard spells? Plus Sending didn't require something like that.

"What were you doing, you creepy fucker!" one of the heavily armoured adventurers asked, elbowing Alden in the side.

Alden looked up towards the sky, noting the grey clouds above. He did not reply, his companions noting how he was in no mood to speak.

'Who is that leaf ear?'

The next morning, they saw the kind of fellow the leaf ear was.

"You guys, don't cause any trouble for the Primrose Sword, alright?" Adam almost berated, speaking to the Iyrmen.

"…"

"That doesn't give you permission to bully the Bellflower Sword or the Honeysuckle Sword either," Adam continued, holding up a finger, as his daughter would, daring to threaten them. "What? Just because you're the granddaughter of the Mad Dog? The granddaughter of the Bearded Dragon?"

'What of I?' Naqokan thought.

"Since Naqokan and Faool are with you, I don't feel too worried…" Adam then turned towards the other figure. "Especially you, you can't bully the Primrose Sword, especially after what your cousin did!"

Laygak grinned wide, shrugging his shoulders. "I am certain my niece will understand."

"Damn it! Just because you're a handsome guy, it doesn't mean you can cause trouble!" Adam pat Laygak on the shoulder, before letting out another annoyed huff.

"Betti, you should return to me quickly," Zabir said, rubbing the top of her head gently.

Yasha flushed lightly, her heart pounding swiftly, unsure of how to feel that she was leaving her grandfather behind. "I will…"

Adam looked to John, the father returning his gaze, and with a single bow of their heads, their greetings were over. Adam hoped John would make the right decision for his heart, if that was to remain in Gold Port, or to join the United Kindom, as long as he didn't regret it, that was all that mattered.

'Did I send them off with enough gold?'

"If it is acceptable, we would like to accompany you on your journey to Red Oak," Father Alden said.

"Sure," Adam said. "Dhin, your carriage is free, right?"

Dhin nodded, while Father Alden tried to refuse, only to find the annoyed half elf insisting with a threatening glare, then going on to complain. It was thankful the half elf stopped when a cry pierced the air, for Amal had finally woken up, only to find Anka was gone.

"Why are you acting like that?" Terri, the lightly armoured woman with the bow, asked.

"It is my honour to meet him," Father Alden replied.

"You've neglected so many nobles, but now you meet a fellow like him, and suddenly you're so respectful?"

"I pray my respects to the Divine, not to mortal, and though he and I worship the Lord of Death, Lord Sozain does not favour me as he does the Holy Father."

"The Holy Father?"

"You should treat him as you would anyone who holds the title of Father Death," Alden stated firmly.

"Is he really…"

"He recently gained quite the epithet…"

"He did?"

"…"

Terri considered his words, but glanced to the rest of her companions, only to find one of them deep in thought, and as Robert's eyes fell to Alden, the pair exchanged a look.

"He's the Crazy Father?" Robert asked.

"The Crazy Father!" Terri whispered in surprise. "Him?"

"A half elf in purple," Alden confirmed.

After speaking the words, everyone understood how obvious it was.

"What is he doing here? On this land?"

"Perhaps King Merryweather has forgiven him?" Alden replied.

"He is known to be a man of justice."

"A man of justice? How is it just that-,"

"Terri, we are near too many Iyrmen for you to speak those words…" Alden warned.

Terri cleared her throat. 'That leaf ear is the Crazy Father?'