The mbers of Team Hollow Shade sat across from each other in their training room below the coliseum. Their professors sat in a corner, quietly talking amongst themselves. Sylvie was the only one who stood, she was busy reenacting her victory over Damian from a few minutes ago.
Then I jumped at him and swung my ax down with all my strength! Sylvie raised her arms in the air. Buuut, the stupid ax you gave , Freya, was unevenly balanced. I ended up missing his head and barely got his arm, she puffed her cheeks in mild frustration.
Wait, you were trying to kill him? Callum asked incredulously.
Uh, yeah, Sylvie said as if it was the most obvious fact in the world.
But why? Callum frowned.
Isnt that the whole point of a duel? Sylvie cocked her head to the side. Its not like these are mock duels, right?
Sure, but that doesnt an we should actively try to kill our opponents, Callum said. Those sorts of actions can have serious repercussions in the future. Damian is part of a powerful family, who probably all want to kill you right about now.
If Sylvie hadnt taken the fight seriously she could have gotten killed by Damian. Would you have preferred that outco instead? Stryg raised an eyebrow.
Callum sighed, Obviously not.
All duels are dangerous. I have to agree with Stryg on this one, Freya said reluctantly.
Callum slumped his shoulders, Yeah, I know. It doesnt make any of this better, though. Were all in enough danger as it is.
Freya nodded sympathetically, At least none of us are fighting in the next match.
Its that Frost Rim giant and so Murkton orc fighting, right? Stryg said.
It should start in about an hour, Freya said. Which leaves us plenty of ti for lunch.
About that, Gale spoke up. Your professors and I have been talking
About what? Freya asked.
This, Isne held up a letter. The black rose sigil of House Thorn was stamped over the letters wax seal. It seems Lady Thorn has invited you for lunch, Stryg.
? Stryg frowned.
Not just you, your Loh as well, Isne read the letter.
Stryg narrowed his eyes, What?
Loh glanced at Stryg uncomfortably, ...We dont have to go if you dont want to.
Want to? Who would ever want to be in a room alone with Lady Thorn?! Cornelius exclaid.
Its way too dangerous, Gale nodded. But that letter didnt just arrive right before the next match out of so strange coincidence. This was deliberate. House Thorns is one of the few families who hasnt sent you a letter yet, until now.
So you think I should go? Stryg asked.
Yes, but Im coming along as protection, Gale said.
So am I, Lysaila said quietly from the corner of the room.
Stryg nodded slowly, ...Fine, Ill go. But Im not going anywhere with that liar, he glared at Loh.
...Thats fair, Loh mumbled.
Then Ill be going in her stead, Isne said.
Why? Stryg furrowed his brow.
Gale and Lysaila will be busy scoping the room for threats. Youd be talking to Ophelia alone. I wont let you face her by yourself. Isne slamd her cane on the ground, End of discussion.
Stryg held back his tongue and bowed his head in acquiescence.
~~~
A pair of elite guards stood on each side of the entrance to House Thorns walled pavilion. Stryg quickly looked them up and down, noting the swords on their belts, the various daggers on their arms and legs, but most importantly, the silver mage amulets hanging from their necks.
House Thorn equips their n well at least, Gale muttered.
h, I could end them in 3 seconds, Lysaila shrugged.
Not a step further. State your purpose or leave, one of the guards stated in a deep voice. He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and stared steely-eyed at Lysaila.
Isne hobbled past the others and looked at the guards with an air of amusent, Im quite certain you are well aware of who and why we are here.
The guards glanced at each other with uncertainty. We were expecting only two guests, not four.
Not to worry, the two behind will be keeping you both company while Stryg and I sit down for a chat with your mistress, Isne said nonchalantly.
The guards reluctantly let go of their swords and stepped aside.
Co along, Stryg, Isne said without glancing at him.
Stryg nodded and followed behind her, though he made sure to hiss at the guards as he walked by them. The drow guards looked bewildered but said nothing.
Ophelia Thorn sat around a carved stone table, a dozen different plates of rare delicacies spread about. She looked up at their entrance and smiled smoothly. Ah, Im glad you could make it. Ophelia glanced at the food lantingly, I know its not much, but itll have to do for such short notice.
This is nothing? Stryg wondered to himself. He could feel his mouth begin to water from the various slls wafting into his nose.
Isne sat across from Ophelia and smiled coldly, Thank you for the al, but Id prefer to just talk.
Ophelia chuckled, Do you think it poisoned? Deadly to the touch? She picked up a piece of sweet bread dipped in honey and popped it into her mouth. She savored the taste and moaned softly. She licked her lips and sighed with satisfaction, Mmm, delicious.
I wouldnt think that the leader of the prestigious Great House of Thorn would ever stoop to sothing as low as poison. Isne stared at Ophelia pointedly, But, I suppose we can all be wrong, hm?
Oh? Ophelia raised an eyebrow.
Tell , how many of your people did you have to silence to keep the secrets of the roaming viperidae quiet? Isne asked.
Ophelia smiled wide, I must admit that when I sent out my invitation I did not expect the Tempest Archmage to co, but I am quite enjoying your company.
Funny, my enemies usually say quite the opposite, Isne said.
Is that so? Ophelia mused. Fortunately, there are no enemies here. You will find no trace of poison in the food. Our resident Ebon Aspirant should be able to test for poison, he is a Red after all.
Isne glanced at Stryg questioningly.
He nodded uncomfortably. Poison assessing was one of the few spells he had managed to learn from Elzris potion lessons, though he rarely ever used it.
Ophelia looked at Stryg, I had heard you were a man of few words, but last ti we t you at least spoke a few words. Do you plan to stay silent for the rest of the al?
...Alone, Stryg muttered. Thats what you said to , I am so very alone. I thought you were going to kill that night. But now you invite to lunch? Why?
Ophelia leaned her arms over the table and smirked, You are alone, Stryg. Far more than I ever realized the night we t. Its precisely why I invited you here today.
Im not alone, Stryg sat down next to Isne.
Is that so? Ophelia asked. Where may I ask is your master, Loh? Is she not the one who trained you ever since you arrived in Hollow Shade?
She couldnt make it, Isne said.
Really? I thought it was because Stryg despised her, Ophelia said casually.
Stryg and Isne stiffened at her words.
Isne narrowed her eyes, Our taverns servants I presu?
Youd be surprised how a few gold coins can loosen a commoners lips, Ophelia shrugged. It was quite easy to find out what the servants in your temporary residence had heard, and it seems theyve heard quite a lot, dont you think?
Not really, Isne said curtly.
You think so? Hm. Id think that Strygs falling out with the Great House of Noir, one of the Seven Ruling Families of Hollow Shade, would be quite a big deal. But perhaps we just think differently.
Is that why you invited Stryg here? To threaten him? Isne asked in a quiet, but serious voice.
Ophelia shook her head with a smile, Not at all. I already told you, there are no enemies here. But there are many out there. Powerful groups who do not wish for the return of the Ebon Lords. Those people would exploit Stryg or kill him if given the chance.
Ophelia ran her finger across the edge of her wine glass, It was quite easy to infiltrate the tavern you're all holed up in. How long until soone else does the sa? Lets face it, Lady Isne, your friends and you are fishes out of water. This isnt your city, you have no castle here, no loyal retinue of guards, you have no one but yourselves.
Are you finished? Isne asked coldly.
Ophelia chuckled, Almost. I just have one more question. How do you plan to protect Stryg?
Im more than capable of keeping the child safe, Isne said.
I believe you, Ophelia nodded. The legendary Tempest Arch-mage, Scourge of the Ebon Sea and all the pirates who had the misfortune of crossing your path. I dont think theres any archmage whod try to fight you one-on-one. But what about two archmages? What about three? Or do you think no arch-mage will try and get their hands on Stryg, hm?
What do you want? Stryg interrupted. Im tired of all this back and forth. What exactly do you want? Why did you invite here?
Youre as impatient as my spies said, Ophelia raised her glass in acknowledgent, But I dont find that a bad thing. I invited you here, Stryg, to offer you a proposal.
What kind of proposal? he asked.
The proposing kind. Ophelia smiled, Marry .
Stryg blinked, his jaw went slack, Huh?
Isne sighed. I thought as much, she muttered.
Wait, you thought this was gonna happen? Stryg frowned. He glanced at Ophelia, Why do you want to marry ? Arent you married already?
I was under the impression your people embraced non-monogamous relationships whole-heartedly, Ophelia said. Or is the rumor of your Sylvan origins false?
W-well, no, Stryg scratched his cheek. I am Sylvan, but Im married.
To a commoner, yes? I admit, it is strange to see an Aspirant married to a commoner, but it doesnt bother .
Yes, but
Do you not find attractive? Ophelia smirked.
Stryg suddenly found his eyes drifting down towards her ample chest and the way her thin silk dress left little to the imagination.
Since when does attraction have any weight in the marriage decision of a Lord or Lady of a Great House? Isne asked.
It doesnt, Ophelia said. But Id wager it does to Stryg. He is a young man barely out of his teens, whose needs clearly havent been t for so ti now, judging by the way he is staring at my breasts.
Stryg blinked and looked up, Huh? What?
Isne shook her head in disappointnt.
In fact, Ophelia smiled. Id wager, like every man Ive t, you dont like to share, do you, Stryg? You seed uncomfortable when I ntioned my husband.
Im just uncomfortable being at this table, he said.
You know what? Ill get rid of my current husband, no questions asked. You dont have to share with anyone, Ophelia winked. And of course, I dont mind how many secondary wives you decide to take on.
Stryg swallowed, his eyes slowly drifting back towards her chest, Um dont you have kids?
Two, yes. Does that bother you? I am only 42 years old. Compared to a goblin, my body is still in its early twenties. I can easily have your children for many years to co.
Stryg frowned. Children?He had never given any thought to having children of his own.
Stryg is a hybrid, he cant have children, which is one of the most essential parts of any marriage alliance, Isne noted.
That little tale has never been quite proven, has it? Ophelia shrugged. Soday Stryg will be an Ebon Lord with powers that none of us have. Im quite certain that with his future abilities and my arcane knowledge we could find a way to continue his line.
You an your line, the bloodline of House Thorn, Isne tapped her cane.
Ophelia sipped her wine, Lady Isne, Im not going to disrespect you by lying to you about the painfully obvious. Having an Ebon Lord back in my family would reinvigorate House Thorn to its forr glory. We could take our rightful place back in Hollow Shade.
As the ruler of Hollow Shade, Isne crossed her arms.
No, Ophelia shook her head. That role will fall to Ebon Lord Stryg of the Great House of Thorn.
Wha? Strygs eyes widened in shock.
You, Stryg, will sit on Hollow Shades throne. And I will stand by your side as your faithful queen, Ophelia smiled proudly.
Youd give the boy the throne? Isne said cautiously.
Of course, the people of the realm will only accept a true Ebon Lord on Hollow Shades throne, Ophelia said. I think youve misunderstood , Lady Isne. Im not interested in ruling Hollow Shade. Ive only ever cared about returning my House to its forr glory. Stryg is the key to that dream. She glanced at Stryg with a warm smile, Ive been waiting for soone like you for a very long ti.
Um, Stryg cleared his throat, That sounds good and all for you, but why would I marry you?
Besides the fact that I am your greatest hope of protection within this city and that you clearly want to sleep with ? Ophelia smirked.
Yes, besides that, he nodded.
Mm, very well, Ophelia nodded. Undergrowth and Hollow Shade have been close to war many tis in the last century. My citys armies have grown significantly larger than Hollow Shades. However, your city is currently at war with the Valley Tribes, but despite their best efforts, they are unable to quell Lord Marek and his savages.
Ophelia leaned forward, But what if my armies helped? How quickly could we end this Lord Marek? The man who killed many of your classmates last year and almost killed you. If we married, one of the first things I would do is help you find Marek and end his miserable life.
Stryg looked down at his hands, they shook with a slight tremble. How many tis had he dread of killing that bastard and all his bloody tribe? He swore on Clypeus grave that he would end the Cairn and the lives of every single one of them. He thought it would take years before he was strong enough to exact his revenge. Now, the answers to his problems sat right in front of him in the form of a beautiful Lady.
Stryg glanced at Isne. What do you think? he whispered.
...I think that Lady Thorns offer could easily be turned into a threat, Isne said grimly. As she said, her armies are greater than ours. How easy would it be for her to attack Hollow Shade while were busy fighting the Valley Tribes?
Ophelia said nothing and simply sipped her drink with a small smile.
Isne sighed, Overall, her offer isnt bad. Ruling Hollow Shade is a far-fetched idea for anyone, even an Aspirant. But with Lady Thorn, it might actually be possible or perhaps itll all end in catastrophic failure. You need to know Stryg, that no matter how all this plays out, blood will be spilled over your re existence. Itd be best if you are on the winning side. Though if that side is the Thorns, I do not know.
I never really thought of ruling Hollow Shade Stryg muttered. But Im not too keen on dying either
Its your life, Stryg. I will not make this decision for you, Isne said quietly. Either way you will have to live with the consequences.
So what do you say? Ophelia stretched out her hand. Will you marry ?
Stryg breathed shakily, ...I
He will have to think on the matter! a familiar voice called out.
Stryg shot up from his chair in surprise. A petite vampiress strode past the guards and marched towards their table.
Ophelia narrowed her eyes, And who might you be?
!? the vampiress scoffed with indignation. I am the right hand of the Ebon Aspirant, his closest confidante, and his most trusted advisor! You may address as Lady Maeve of the Great House of Mora!
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