Chapter 305: 290. Dreaming Smaller

Omen: 15, 19

Adam awoke in the morning, excited to create something that day. He had already created a fairly decent weapon yesterday, and today he could make something equally as good. ‘Nice.’

He played with his sister that morning, holding her hands as she stood and babbled, squatting every so often, before she finally sat down to rest. After a light training session, and a light breakfast, Adam went to smith.

Smithing Check (Strength)
D20 + 6 = 23 (17)

Smithing Check (Constitution)
D20 + 6 = 19 (13)

Adam thought about using his Omen, but decided against it. What was the use of using his Omen when it was already so good? He had managed to smith an axehead which was almost identical to the axehead he had forged the previous day.

“Not bad,” Redboulder said, staring at the axeahead. He held both the axehead Adam had forged. “Look here,” he said, dragging a thick finger along the side of the axehead he had forged that day. “Yeh folded this axehead five uhr ten times less than the other, lad.”

Adam nodded his head, unsure of how the Dwarf had managed to spot such a detail. ‘Dwarves…’ “Thank you, master Dwarf.” 

“Adam,” Laygak called, bringing the handle to the Half Elf, having finished it but moments ago. 

“Oh,” Adam said, taking the handle before placing the axehead onto it, before nailing it together. “Nice!” Adam swung the axe around lightly, but noted the gaze of two Rot family members, before letting Nirot play with it. “Make sure Turot gets a turn too, and watch over him.”

“I know how to do such things without your words,” Nirot replied, before taking the axe and going off to swing it.

“Kids, huh?” Adam said, looking to Redboulder.

“Ay,” he said. “Ah’ve got a few meself. It’s been some time since ah last saw ‘em.”

“When you say some time, do you mean a few years or a few decades?” Adam asked.

“Almost a decade,” Redboulder confirmed. 

Adam noted the lack of Iyrmen about, save for Citool and the other Ool family members. Sonarot wasn’t around, and hadn’t arrived until dinner was made, along with the others. 

“Working already?” Adam asked.

“It is time for me to return to work,” she said. “I have been gone for too long, I can feel it in my bones.”

“Fair,” Adam replied, thinking about whether he should spend more time with the children so that the others could move around in peace. Then he looked towards Mirot, Gorot, and Kaygak. ‘Though, that might backfire. I suppose I’ll play with them as long as I don’t roll at least a 14 in the morning.’

Omen: 9, 10

‘Well, that was quite the coincidence,’ Adam thought.

He spent that morning with the Guests who were still in the Iyr. He trained with them in the morning, teaching Nobby and Brittany, though Jonn dealt with Brittany much better. 

‘Should I apologise to him?’ Adam thought, looking at Jonn for a moment. ‘No, why should I apologise to him when he’s in the wrong?’

“I’ve been thinking more about the inn,” Adam said. “I think… I want to focus on that once I’ve finished with my tasks in Dawnval. No, after I finish making the magical weapons to kit everyone up, I’ll focus on the inn after that.”

“Speaking of magical weapons, I would like to know what you have planned for your next axe,” Dunes said. 

“Why do you think it’s an axe?” Adam joked, before smirking. “I don’t know. I think I’d like something which can do damage, but…” He shrugged his shoulders. “I need to figure out something which won’t have the Iyrmen covet my weapon. It has to be good, but not too good.” 

Dunes was sure that Adam was still salty, though he couldn’t blame the Half Elf. After all, he had spent so long making that weapon, and it was his greatest weapon to date. Though, he had hoped Adam would stop saying so many dangerous things in his vicinity.

“Anyway,” Adam said, looking to Fred. “I was thinking about who would be a decent person to take charge of the operation. I can’t do it. Dunes can’t do it. I’m not sure if Vonda wants to do it, but I highly doubt it. The Iyrmen can’t do it. I’m currently training Nobby and Brittany. So that leaves only one real possible answer, and that’s you.”

Fred wasn’t sure why Adam had been looking at him, up until the last sentence. “What? You want me to take charge of the inn?”

“Yes,” Adam replied.

“Why?” Fred asked, staring at the Half Elf suspiciously. They weren’t that close, and it wasn’t like he was someone who was trustworthy. They had only known each other for a couple of months, though they had fought together for some time.

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“You’re looking for purpose in your life, aren’t you?” Adam said. “So why don’t you become the manager of the inn? If you don’t feel like doing it, you can tell me and I’ll find someone else.”

“I don’t think I’m suited to being a manager of an inn,” Fred said. “I can’t do numbers too well or anything like that.”

“I’m not asking you to actually manage the inn,” Adam said. “You’re the face of the inn.”

“The face of the inn?”

“Yeah, you’ll be the…” Adam wasn’t sure how he could describe it. “You know. I’ll do all the hard work, and on the face of things it will seem like you’re the one managing everything. I’ll even teach you most of what you need to know, once I learn what it is we need to do.”

“It’s still a large responsibility,” Dunes said. “Even if you are going to be the face of the inn, it requires a lot of work, and there’s a lot of trust needed.”

“Well, who else am I meant to pick?” Adam asked. “The Iyrmen can’t do it, and it’s not like either of you are willing.” He looked to Vonda. “Are you?”

“Perhaps?” Vonda replied. “I do not think I’d make a very good face when I hide half of mine.” Her eyes shut, and she smiled, stifling her giggles.

“Right,” Adam said, clearing his throat. “Anyhow. Fred. I’ll pay you a salary and you’ll be treated well. You’ll have to work hard, even if it isn’t to do with numbers, but I’ll make sure it’s rewarding, both with coin and for your soul.”

“My soul?” Fred asked.

“Yeah,” Adam said, staring at the man, his eyes full of determination. “That’s what’s important to you, right? Doing something worthwhile? So why don’t you manage the inn, and as more inns begin to develop across the entire land, you might feel a greater sense of accomplishment.”

“Inns across the land?” Fred wasn’t sure if that was possible. “Aren’t you dreaming too high?”

“There’s a phrase from where I come from,” Adam said. “Aim for the moon, and if you miss, you fill find yourself amongst the stars.”

‘What does that mean?’ Fred thought, though he felt something stir in his heart. Adam always said stupid things, but there was something romantic about the phrase.

“Just think about it,” Adam said. “A dozen inns, maybe more, all across the land. No doubt there will be huge problems, from the Nobles, to other Innkeepers, perhaps even Adventurers. We’ll have to fight to survive against a harsh world, and a harsh people. However, we’ll provide a service that is so good, that people will have no choice but want to defend us. If anyone tries to take us over, then we’ll crush them, no matter who they may be.”

Adam could only imagine what he was talking about. “Like I said, it will be more than an inn. It’ll be a tiny little fort, each inn more like a village. We’ll create our own produce, weapons, and more. The Guards will be equipped with great weapons, magical weapons, and will be trained to be great warriors. Experts, maybe even Masters.”

Fred stared at Adam. “Experts are difficult enough to train, but Masters? Masters are so rare. Grandmasters are even rarer, and those who can be considered Paragons. Only the previous King’s Sword can be considered a Paragon, but even that’s debatable.”

“I’d say he was,” Adam said. “I’m sure he is. Sir Merry and Sir Royce.”

“There are maybe ten, twenty Grandmasters in a land of millions. There may only be a hundred, maybe a few more Masters, outside of those who work directly under the Nobles. Even if you’re strong, even if Jurot and the other Iyrmen are strong, you’re no Masters.”

“Not right now,” Adam said. “I became an Expert in a single year, and I’m sure I can become a Master in maybe two more.” Adam quickly froze. ‘Hold on. I can’t do that. If I Level Up too quickly, won’t it be chaotic?’ “Well, if I wanted to. I’ll probably not do that.”

“Right,” Fred said. 

“If you don’t want to, then it’s fine. I still need to find a nice spot. If the inn isn’t feasible, then I’ll just auction some enchanted weapons…” Adam then realised that may be difficult since the Great Elders seem to still distrust him. “No. Actually, I should make a home base for us first.”

Vonda smiled. ‘Every time he talks with us, his dreams get smaller.’ “Perhaps a home base will be the first step towards the inn, and then your agency?”

“Yeah,” Adam said. “You’re right.”

 

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Adam talking himself out of doing cool stuff...

So this is what it means to be a realist.

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