That is by far the worst story I have ever heard, like ever. Like, not even Maxys boring prattling of military tactics disguised as a sorry excuse for a story were that bad, Rhian crossed her arms.
...I for one liked it, Maximus nodded.
Of course you liked it, Rhian stuck out her tongue.
Not all stories are ant to be entertaining, so are simply ant to teach a lesson, the captain smiled softly.
Welp, I think Ive had enough nightmare fuel for one night, the actress said.
Sa. Cap, would you like to join on a late night stroll? Loh asked.
Sorry, I have so business to attend to, the captain bowed.
Was worth a shot, I guess, Loh yawned.
Everyone slowly got up and began to head for their own tents.
Huh, what about the ga? Rhian looked around.
h, Loh waved her hand.
Aw, co on, Rhian frowned. Master, are you going to play?
Nah, I think Im fine. Why dont you go head to bed, Ill et you in a bit, Stryg muttered.
Fiiiine, Rhian sighed. She bowed to the captain, Good night.
Stryg poked at the fire with a stick as one by one everyone left, until only the captain and him sat alone.
She glanced at Stryg in the dim firelight, What did you think of my story?
Stryg scratched his head and sighed in frustration, It was aggravating? The drow lost everything. And what exactly was the lesson supposed to be? Not to trust complete strangers in the middle of a storm? To fulfill your promises? I learned those lessons long ago.
She laughed, Perhaps others may take away such lessons. But, I thought the story might serve as a final piece for our introduction. To let you know that I am on your side.
Huh?
She cleared her throat, We have been traveling together for so ti. I had hoped you would eventually open up to , but I understand your reluctance. The story was my way of letting you know I am not your enemy. I truly hope you are not mine.
What are you saying? He tilted his head.
Before we continue I think it is ti we have proper introductions. Well keep it simple, I will tell you my na and you tell yours, although I believe we both already know the answers, she smiled.
Im Stryg?
I do not refer to the na you give others, but the one you hide from them, the piece of yourself you do not wish for them to see. There is no need to hide from . You need not be alone, not anymore, she reached out and grabbed his hand.
He glanced between her intrusive hand and her smiling face, What exactly do you want from ?
She smirked, A proper introduction for starters.
My na is Stryg and its the only na I have ever had. I dont understand why you are asking , he furrowed his brow.
She stared into his lilac eyes and let his hand go. Maybe you do not. Or maybe you just do not rember?
...What? Are you seriously implying I dont rember my own na? He frowned.
Honestly? I highly doubt it, but, I also doubt you do not know your own na. Which probably ans you are simply lying to . I had pictured tonights events very differently. I thought I had hoped for Nevermind, she sighed. Maybe soday you will be ready to tell the truth. Good night, Stryg, she stood up and walked away.
Stryg didnt know how to respond.
She paused in her steps, Oh, before I forget. She tossed him a small object.
He caught it before it dropped on the grass.
Whats this for? He stared at the small black coin.
Whoever told the best story wins a coin, rember?
But, I didnt tell a story, he frowned.
Stryg, you are the most interesting story I have heard in a long ti, she winked.
Its not even a gold coin...
~~~
Rhian shivered as the wind blew past her thin jacket. The last days of sumr were behind them, autumn had seed to arrive. Stryg made a ntal note to buy her so warm clothing. It did not matter if centaurs had an overall warr temperature, he was not going to risk her getting sick.
Stryg watched Hollow Shades glossy black walls grow in the distance as they neared the Great City. He rembered what it had been like the first ti he had co, how terrified he had felt of what lay beyond the walls, or how useless he felt for being unable to escape the ropes the poacher had tied him with.
Co to think of it, that was the first ti he had used magic. It had been grey magic, a small drain spell to be precise. Things were different back then, life seed simpler, albeit more difficult. A year ago all he had to focus on was his own survival.
Stryg glanced at the back of Rhians head, a few strands of jet-black hair had slipped out of her ponytail and tickled his face. Life was more complicated now. There were people he had to look after, other than his own. It was difficult.
Master, you okay? Youve been pretty quiet, Rhian asked without glancing back at him.
Perhaps it wasnt as difficult as he imagined, there were people looking after him as well.
Yeah, Im fine, just happy to be ho, Stryg said.
I know, right! Im sooo relieved. I could use so proper polish for my hooves. Theyve been through too much these past few months. Oh and a nice stable all for myself.
How about we get you a large bed too?
Rhians head whipped back, Are you serious?
I am. You deserve to sleep in a bed like the rest of us. You werent able to in the taverns, but now that were ho, Ill make sure you have one, Stryg nodded.
Rhian faced forward, hiding her expression. ...Thank you.
You dont have to thank . This should have been done before we left, were tribemates after all, we take care of each other.
As they grew closer to the city, Stryg spotted a crowd of people of all sorts forming a long line at the gate. The large gate seed to ld into the wall, there was no evidence of it being built so much as created.
Stryg read the words above the gate, The Protection of Death.
The first ti he had arrived in the city he failed to understand the aning. After learning about the shades that lurked within the magestone walls he understood exactly what the words ant. As for the two statues, one on each side of the gate, he still did not have a clear grasp on their significance.
One statue was a black skull, the other a black sun. Unlike the glossy walls, the statues were not built of magestone, but a matte-black substance, without any reflection. He knew a black skull above a black sun was the heraldic symbol of Hollow Shade, but he still did not know why. It was just one more thing on his long list of things he was still ignorant of. He sighed.
The caravan paused at the back of the line, waiting for their turn to arrive. Maximus trodded to the front of the caravan, Loh on his back. She spoke to the captain, their words too far for anyone to hear. However, Stryg had no problem listening from such a distance nor did he have any compunction against eavesdropping.
Let take care of this, just have the troupes wagons follow , Loh said.
I appreciate it, the captain smiled.
Maximus cut through the line. Loh pulled out her naplate and began waving it through the air. The captain ordered the troupes wagons to follow behind Maximus. So people complained as the enormous centaur pushed them aside, but after they saw Lohs golden naplate they all grew quiet and made ample room for the caravan to pass.
The guards at the gate bowed as they noticed Lohs naplate, Welco ho Miss Noir.
Glad to be back. These are my companions, let them through, she said.
As you wish, the guards nodded in unison.
The Singing Willows wagons passed through the gate without any trouble. Stryg looked around as he entered the gates tunnel. His life had changed when he first entered this city, he wondered if things would stay the sa this ti around.
As he ca out the other side he was greeted with hundreds of people walking through the streets, going about their daily lives. So wore fancy clothes, others rode centaurs, but most were commoners with simple clothing.
Loh took a deep breath and sighed with relief, Ah, its good to be back.
The air isnt nearly as fresh, Stryg noted.
I dont sll anything, Loh said.
Im not surprised, Stryg jumped off Rhians saddle. He wanted to walk on his own two feet for a while.
Thank you for the help Loh, my troupe appreciates the smooth entry, the captain said.
My pleasure. Could I interest you in so dinner by chance? Id love to give you a tour of the city, Loh said.
The captain chuckled, Ive been to Hollow Shade more tis than I can count. I suspect I know this citys ins and outs more than you. And as tempting as dinner sounds, I must go and help my troupe settle in before our next performance.
I guess Ill have to stop by and watch your play then, Loh stroked her chin.
I would like that, the captain grinned. She walked over to Stryg, I am afraid this is where we must part ways. My troupe will only be in Hollow Shade for a few days. I do not know if we will get a chance to see each other before the troupe leaves.
Then why do I get the feeling well see each other again? Stryg tilted his head.
Oh, darling, I have no doubt we will et again, no matter where life takes us. Until then, she leaned down and kissed him on the cheek. Goodbye, little one.
What was that? Loh glanced between them both.
The captain winked, Hold on to that coin for .
Stryg rubbed his cheek as he watched her disappear into the crowd.
Stryg, as your ntor and teacher I demand you tell whats been going on between you two, Loh jumped off Maximus.
She was just talking about last nights ga. She gave a coin as the winner, Stryg pulled out the plain black coin from his pocket.
Rhian hovered above him, Aw, you didnt even tell a story. I wanted a gold coin, too. Wait, thats not even gold.
Stryg pulled out two gold coins and handed them above to Rhian, Here you are.
Wait, really?! Rhians eyes widened.
I liked your story, he nodded.
Nice! Easy money, she grabbed the coins and did a little jig.
He shook his head with a small smile.
Stryg, Rhians right, that coin in your hand isnt gold, its orichalculm, Loh said quietly.
Orichalculm? Isnt that sorta rare? He asked.
Loh pointed at the coin, Its one of the rarest tals in all the Null Realms and probably the rarest in the Ebon Realm. It may not have magical effects like magestone, but its durability and beauty makes it incredibly valuable.
Loh gently closed Strygs fingers over the coin, Keep it hidden, you dont want so pickpocket to try and steal it. Even the city lords only have a little orichalculm and most of the ti its only on their naplates. The captain gave you a very valuable gift, take care of it.
Stryg stared at the plain coin in his palm. It had no mint markings nor any other kind of symbol etched on either side. It seed odd that such a little coin was worth so much.
Ill keep it safe, he pocketed the coin.
Good, then well part ways here for now. I need to go and see my grandfather. Loh ruffled Strygs hair, Your magical skills have grown considerably these past few months, youve done well. The academy starts back up in a few days, try and relax a bit before then.
Stryg twisted his lips at the hair-touching gesture, but decided to let it slide. Thank you for your ntorship, I wont let you down.
Thats my apprentice. Youre one in a million, kid, Loh laughed and hopped on Maximus saddle.
The centaur nodded curtly to Stryg and Rhian before he headed towards the scholar district.
I for one have seen enough of the city gates for today. Should we start heading ho? Go see Mistress Feli, perhaps? Rhian asked.
Id like that, Stryg nodded.
He grabbed Rhians saddle and was about to pull himself up when he caught a familiar scent amongst the crowd. He froze.
Stryg slowly turned around, Plum?
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