Beyond Chaos – A DiceRPG

The tale was unbelievable.

Of course it was.

How was it that after they left, a tsunami of trouble threatened to drown him?

Ah.

Right.

It was because Adam was Adam.

Korin had listened intently to the entire tale, though Jurot spoke the first half of the tale, while Adam continued the second half. He could hear the way Jurot spoke of what had happened, not just that so many Iyrmen came to assist, but there was something deeper within his words, the pauses within the tale, those which lasted too long. He understood there was a deeper political situation that had rocked through the Iyr during the events, but whatever had happened, he was glad the Iyr was the Iyr, and the children were brought back to life.

Sara thought of the twins, the same twins who enjoyed playing with her, listening to her stories, and would often praise her beauty.

‘Not as pretty as mummy, but so pretty,’ Jirot assured, the girl always so eager to remind the woman just who took first place within her heart.

Sara glanced aside towards Dunes, who had remained silent during the story. His relationship with the twins had always been strained, he was but a ghost who longed for more, and at the very least, this had brought them closer. She knew Adam didn’t to mind at all, seemingly at least, but since Dunes himself was hesitant, the half elf hadn’t pushed for it, no doubt thinking of other ways to bring them closer.

Sara frowned.

‘What a terrible way for them to mend their relationship.’

Korin decided against thinking about how Adam had managed to defeat the likes of Kal Yamas of High Garden, most things were difficult for him to understand when it came to Adam, but that was too much. However, to hear the Malawi stepped back when it came to Dunes…

‘He must have considered the benefit Adam brought to Black Mountain,’ Korin thought, glad the decision was made, although he was uncertain of how to feel about it. Adam was a great fortune, sure, but that also meant the likes of Adam could pressure Black Mountain in such a manner. It was one thing for the Iyr to do so, another for the likes of an individual.

Sara glanced aside towards Korin, who seemed to be deep in thought about the second most important manner, because he wasn’t annoyed enough to consider the most annoying thing, which was…

Lani beamed towards her elder brother, a smirk across her lips, meanwhile Korin completely ignore the young woman. However, even he had to eventually come face to face with it, and when he did…

“Stop it!” Lani complained as her elder brother grabbed her within a headlock, growling at her.

“Do you think a title has changed you from a milkdrinker?” Korin asked.

Many would not have assumed they were related, for the woman’s hair was much darker, though still held a gleam of red under the light. However, if they saw the pair like this, who could deny their relation?

“Stop it!” Lani almost began to whimper, trying to wrestle out of her elder brother’s grasp, until he finally let go, only to pick her sword, the eponymous title, feeling its great magic within. It was a Greater Enhanced sword, that much was for certain, but the sword he held and the sword Lani held were two different blades.

‘This sword…’ Korin glanced aside towards Adam, since this sword, without a shadow of doubt, was not one that was within the Order before his arrival. ‘…’

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Adam asked, though a small smile encroached across his lips, the half elf winking. “Anyway, what’s this about… you know.”

Korin wasn’t sure what, until he noticed where Adam was motioning his head, and Korin sighed. “I need to show that I am worthy of her, that is all.”

“What’s your plan?”

“I am considering slaying a great creature,” Korin mused aloud, as though he was able to complete such a task. “I can earn much coin, though in the land of gold, such is less impressive, or I could become a great warrior, a Master, perhaps?”

“I see…” Adam thought about it for a moment. It was rather annoying that he’d need to take Korin out for at least a year, perhaps a year and a half, then there would be at least a year or so before he would get married, and then almost a year later he could expect another niece or nephew to spoil. ‘That’s too long!’

Korin took great offence to the expression the half elf was making.

“What about if you possessed some fine magical items, not the likes of your sister’s sword, but something that you wouldn’t feel embarrassed about standing beside Mo Dunes, at least.”

“Why must you speak in a way to offend me?” Korin asked, half hurt by Adam’s words, but he was glad the half elf considered his feelings at least. “I am uncertain where I could…”

Adam, for once, managed to give the kind of look he often received from his companions.

“I could not afford such weapons,” Korin replied bashfully.

“When it comes to matters of gold, we could say you’ll work with the business for a few years or so to pay it off?” Adam offered in a way that suggested his concept of a few years came from his fae side and not his human side. “We need someone to teach the young, the new recruits once we get some, and I can think of very few better than the likes of someone from Black Mountain.”

“Indeed, one could suggest the Iyr may be able to match such?” Korin teased.

“We’ll take care of you both,” Adam pushed through, flashing a charming smile, the kind that said he wanted to trap Korin. “Also, if you end up having any children, we’ll obviously take such good care of them, and I’ll spoil them so much, and I’ll pinch their chubby cheeks…”

“You are speaking your thoughts out loud.”

“Excuse me,” Adam cleared his throat, but who could deny it, when it came to spoiling children, he was nearly outmatched.

“Are you planning on making your own force?” Korin asked, his tone playful, but his eyes far more serious.

“I need to create a force that will be able to deal with various situations which may arise,” the half elf replied, for once speaking so formally. “I need more warriors, I need to hire and few and train them, and I’ll need someone who can train them well.

“With the benefits you can offer, I am certain there is little difficulty in such a task.”

“I need a loyal group, Kal Korin,” Adam replied, holding Korin’s gaze for a long moment.

“If you need a loyal group, there are plenty of mercenaries who follow the Oaths of Gold. Usually they work for a few years under a group, and for quite a pretty penny. However, they have been known to work for a patron for generations.” Korin thought deeply, trying to recall the figures he knew of. “There is an Emira in one of the Ejirates, a young woman who has a third generation guard that branched off from a group. They say each member is paid their age in gold monthly, until they turn fifty and they retire. There are at least fifty, and each become Masters in their lifetime.”

“That’s a lot of gold each month…” Adam said, not even noting how he said each of the warriors would become Masters in their lifetimes.

“Indeed, for each guard also leads another ten warriors, each who are paid a typical wage. In Aswadasad, a member of the guard is gifted a goat, which provides them with milk, and their housing costs are reduced. Their children can apply for education from the guard too, which works closely with a temple. The education isn't quite as substantial as the education for merchants or nobles, but it is decent. The force rents out the equipment to the guards, for extremely cheap, but it's a steady cash flow for the force which pays for certain costs for its members. Equipment is maintained by the force too. They are given every few holidays off too.”

“Our business offers way more than that, I suppose,” Adam thought, trying to recall how much Experts were usually paid. In a cushy job, it was about fifty gold each month, though twenty five was the most common, only slightly above the United Kindom’s own offer of twenty. However, the United Kindom was the United Kindom.

“Experts usually take the title of Mulazim, and they are usually paid… twenty to fifty gold monthly? Usually those who are bought in as Experts from outside are also given an additional sum of gold every season, at least ten gold, but it is usually much more.”

“Are soldiers a similar way?” Adam asked.

“Soldiers are paid similarly, though soldiers gain a pension earlier than guards, and experienced soldiers also receive promotions to other sectors, especially in the courts of nobles. Guards may be able to become guards for nobles, but soldiers can often earn greater accolades.”

“We pay pretty well too, considering we’re paying quite similar and we also offering more education and healthcare and housing, our business can afford to covet you, huh?”

“Very few would refuse,” Korin replied, smirking.

“Yeah, I guess… Vasera, she refused.”

“She seems to like adventure and such. Many mercenaries prefer to make money while they're able and make a name for themselves. It is rare they have a family to deal with. Once they choose to settle down, then your offer will seem very great.”

‘Should we increase our pay,’ the half elf thought. ‘No, then I’ll have to work even harder!’

“You should create a sheet, and you may hire criers to advertise in the towns and cities. Villages would be best though. Villagers hunger at the chance for a better life, those within the towns too, though villagers are best, even if you must pay a sum to the village itself. Tribesfolk, however, are too insular.”

“Is this your way of rejecting me?” Adam frowned.

Korin laughed.