Chapter 241: Chapter 239: Cinder Brood

Chapter 239: Cinder Brood

 

  “And that is how the hunters managed to slay the behemoth,” Stryg said in a dramatic whisper. “Even now, a hundred years later, no other Sylvan tribe wishes to mess with the hunters of the Frost Whisper Tribe.”

  The orphan children sat on the floor and stared wide-eyed at Stryg in enraptured silence.

  Stryg cleared his throat and sat back, “The end…”

  “WOOAAH!” a small child screamed. 

  “They killed the behemoth!” Another child yelled.

  “I wanna kill a behemoth!”

  “Yeah right, you could never kill a behemoth!”

  A few of the children jumped to their feet and began to punch and kick the air, reenacting the slaying of the beast.

  Stryg smiled, content to watch the eager children run around the room.

  One of the older children, a girl about 13 years old, tugged Stryg’s sleeve. “Um, how big is a behemoth?”

  Stryg spread his arms wide, “Bigger than this entire temple.”

  She bit her lip and furrowed her brow, “Then how did the hunters win?”

  “Weren’t you listening to the story?” Stryg said, amused. “The hunters worked together, some even sacrificed themselves, but they managed to win in the end.”

  “That seems really hard…” she mumbled.

  “Well, remember, it was a baby behemoth,” Stryg winked. “So it was probably only as big as this room. If you ever see an adult behemoth, the best you can do is run.” Stryg’s eyes widened eerily and he grabbed her shoulders, “Run for your life and don’t look back.”

  She giggled, “But you could kill the behemoth, right?”

  “I think you all seriously overestimate my abilities,” he said wryly. “A single behemoth has wiped out entire tribes before. They are the apex predators of Vulture Woods. If there ever comes a day where we must fight a behemoth, then we must do it together as Lunisians, only then do we stand a chance.”

  “Mm… I still think you’d win,” she said without a hint of doubt.

  “...Thanks,” Stryg sighed in defeat with a warm smile.

  The little girl giggled and ran off to play with her friends.

  Karen and Witt appeared at the doorway and gave a thumbs up, the signal.

  “Looks like we’re ready,” Stryg nodded. “Okay, everyone, follow me.”

  The children all stopped running immediately and lined up behind Stryg. They followed him outside without a single peep of a whisper.

  “They never listen to me like that,” Witt grumbled.

  “Oh, it’s okay,” Karen patted his arm. “They just don’t respect you is all.”

  “...Is that supposed to make me feel better?” Witt frowned.

  Stryg led them to the small garden behind the temple. A pair of large wooden crates sat on the dirt floor.

  “Um, sir, what are those?” the eldest orphan, Mel, asked.

  “Just a small gift for all of you before I leave,” Stryg said. He pried the first crate open and threw off the wooden lid. 

  The children watched in anticipation as he reached inside.

  “I began my weapons training when I could barely walk. It’s due time you all begin your own,” Stryg pulled out a spear from the crate.

  The orphans gasped in surprise and ran over, their little hands reaching out to touch the weapon they had heard so much about in his stories.

  “Calm down, I made sure to buy enough spears for everyone,” Stryg chuckled. “Along with enough of these,” he opened the next crate and pulled out a bow.

  The children screamed, their excitement practically oozing off them.

  “I’ve taught Karen the Sylvan basics of wielding the spear and bow,” Stryg said. “She’ll teach you how to train in these weapons while I’m gone.”

  Karen raised her finger, “I only accepted this job because I don’t want any of you running around with spears behind my back, and yes, that includes you, Witt. If any of you are going to learn how to use these dangerous weapons then you must promise me that you will be responsible with them and you will only use them under the most extreme of circumstances and only for self-defense. Is that understood?”

  Mel nodded excitedly, “Of course. Isn’t that right, guys?”

  The children nodded and voiced their agreements loudly.

  “Do I have to, though?” Witt said reluctantly.

  “You’re the one I’m the most worried about,” Karen narrowed her eyes.

  “Oh, worried, eh? Well, in that case, count me in,” Witt grinned.

  “Whatever,” Karen rolled her eyes. “Okay, kids, gather around and we’ll start the first lesson; weapon maintenance.”

  Stryg watched the kids sit around Karen and listened to her speak for a few minutes before he got up and left quietly. Mel noticed his departure and chased after him.

  “Mister Stryg!” he called out.

  Stryg paused in his steps, “Mel? What is it?”

  The boy gripped his pants tightly and stared at his feet, “Are you really leaving?”

  “Yeah. The Great Cities Tourney is about a week away. We’re leaving tomorrow.”

  “Oh… I see,” he mumbled.

  Stryg patted the boy’s shoulder, “I’ll be back soon enough, in about a month or so.”

  Mel straightened his back, “I finally came up with a name! Well, we all did, the other kids and I.”

  “Oh? I’m listening.”

  Mel swallowed, “Our tribe’s name is… Cinder Brood.”

  Stryg cocked his head to the side, “Cinder Brood?”

  “Well, um, the ‘Brood’ part is because we’re all sort of young…”

  “Most Sylvan goblins never live to be old,” Stryg nodded. “What about ‘Cinder?’”

  “And the Cinder part is, well, um …When you saved me from the Rattlesnake gang while their base burned down around us.” Mel looked him in the eye, determination clear in his voice, “You taught me what it meant to be a leader, to be a Lunisian… I’ll never forget that.”

  “Well, chieftain Mel, you are now the leader of a Lunisian tribe.” Stryg said solemnly. “I’m counting on you to keep our people and this temple safe.”

  Mel placed his hand over his heart and nodded earnestly, “I promise, I won’t let you down, sir.”

  Stryg turned around and walked away, “I know.”

~~~

  Gale found Gian sitting under the shade of his favorite yew tree in their mansion’s garden.

  “Good afternoon,” she bowed her head. “You wanted to see me, uncle?”

  “Come, sit,” he smiled peacefully. “Tea?”

  “Yes, thank you.” She grabbed the offered cup and sipped. “Mm, it’s a little more bitter than usual.”

  “It’s not my preferred brew, but it seems Frost Rim’s tea shipments are behind schedule this month.”

  “They probably sent the majority of their shipments to Undergrowth for the Great Cities Tourney. Ladies and lords from around the realm will be attending, and they always demand the best.”

  “Yes, I guessed as much,” Gian sighed. “A pity I won’t be able to taste some of the more exotic delicacies this year. I quite like Murkton’s honey custard pies.”

  “You’re not going?” Gale furrowed her brow. “You’ve always been a fan of the tourney. And your apprentice is one of the chosen this year.”

  “Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to go. But Lord Veres has left the city and is leading his armies in the valley. Carmilla has also joined her father in the war effort against the valley tribes. With Lord Veres and his heir apparent away from the city, I must stay here and ensure the safety of our two Houses.”

  “...I see,” she muttered. “Maybe I should have gone with Lord Veres instead of Carmilla.”

  “Nonsense, Carmilla wishes to show her father that she is a capable general. This is a good opportunity for her. No need to spoil that with your presence on the battlefield.”

  “A Veres should always have a Gale at their side, you taught me that.”

  “Which is why your father is with Lord Veres. And unlike you, Lord Gale knows how to show restraint. He will give Carmilla a chance to shine.”

  “Carmilla doesn’t need it. Everyone knows she is the strongest of the Veres children.”

  “Yes, she has always excelled in her training, whether it be in magic or swordplay. She reminds me of Stryg in that sense.”

  “I guess,” Gale shrugged. “Except Carmilla also excelled in politics. I don’t think Stryg could last one day in a room full of aristocrats without punching someone.”

  “Perhaps. Still, you must admit that his sword training has been improving at a much more rapid pace than what we expected.”

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  “Lysaila definitely had a hand in that. I knew lamias were deadly, but seeing her in action…” Gale whistled. “Now there’s a sword prodigy.”

  Gian nodded, “Yes, Lysaila is truly remarkable. Which is why I find Stryg’s improvement so strange.”

  “Huh?”

  “You’ve trained Stryg longer than I, you know better than anyone that Stryg is not a genius with the blade. Talented? Sure. Prodigy? No.”

  “Okay…? What are you getting at?”

  “Lysaila and you have been mainly teaching Stryg swordplay, from forms to tactics. And while his sword form has improved, it’s his life force that has seen significant improvements.”

  Gale placed her tea aside, “What do you mean?”

  “The flow of Stryg’s life force has become less erratic, more constant. He doesn’t even realize it. Usually, we only see such precise flow control once a student has trained their body and reached a certain threshold. In other words, once their body has reached the stage of a swordmaster.”

  “Stryg isn’t a swordmaster…” Gale frowned.

  “Exactly, he’s skilled, yes, but he is no swordmaster.”

  “He is a chromatic grey though,” she said thoughtfully. “Mages with experience in drain magic tend to have a bit of an easier time developing their own life force thanks to being exposed to the life force of others.”

  “Yes, but this is far more than just a small advantage,” Gian shook his head. “Stryg’s body is circulating life force energy very efficiently.”

  “Well, the kid already knew how to fight with a spear. Maybe he was already training in some kind of Sylvan style flow control before we met?”

  “No, that doesn’t make sense. Even if he had been, every style uses different flow control techniques. If anything, Stryg’s body would have had a harder time reconciling his old techniques with the new. His flow would have become more erratic.”

  Gale sighed and sipped her tea, “I don’t know then. Maybe the kid is just really good at flow control, maybe he’s just weird like that. He’s a hybrid, you should expect the occasional odd quirk when it comes to hybrids.”

  Gian clicked his tongue, “Hybrid mutations don’t change the flow of someone’s life force. No, Stryg’s flow clearly uses the Gale Style and it’s quite highly developed, almost as if he’s been training in our style’s flow techniques since he was…” Gian’s eyes widened, “...since he was a child.”

  “Uncle, are you okay?”

  “...I’m fine,” Gian smiled to himself. “Anyways, I asked you here because I have a task for you.”

  Gale stared at him suspiciously, “Does it have to do with Stryg?”

  “Precisely. I want you to go with him to Undergrowth for the tourney.”

  She grimaced, “Uncle, you know I am loyal to our House and I will do as you say, but this seems unnecessary. And you know I hate going to the tourneys. Every time there are always a bunch of pompous assholes who think they know better than everyone else. And they're always trying to get me to take one of their children on as a sword apprentice, it’s annoying as hell.”

  “I’m not asking you to go to Undergrowth to mingle with the aristocrats. I’m asking you to act as Stryg’s personal instructor during each of the tourney’s matches.”

  “The academy is already sending four professors to the tourney; they'll be acting as the chosen’s instructors.”

  “True, but they will only be able to advise the chosen on magical matters. Stryg isn’t just a mage, he is a swordsman, he could use the insights of a grand swordmaster like you.”

  “Can’t Lysaila help? She’s already made it clear that she’s not going to let Stryg leave her behind in Hollow Shade.”

  “She can, but Stryg needs the help of a Gale swordmaster too. Plus, you would mostly be working from under the stadium, in Hollow Shade’s training room; only the students and teachers are allowed in there. You wouldn’t have to listen to any annoying aristocrats.”

  Gale opened her mouth, but hesitated to speak.

  Gian grabbed her hand gently, “Please, I’m asking you this as a personal favor. Accompany Stryg to Undergrowth, keep him safe.”

  “Safe from what?” Gale cocked her head to the side.

  “...I’m not sure. Anything that might hurt him. Stryg is important, more than you know. Undergrowth is a very dangerous place for Hollow Shade’s chosen.”

  “Why is he so important to you? Why are you sending me to act as his bodyguard?”

  Gian smiled weakly, “I’m asking you to trust me. I’ll explain everything soon, I promise.”

  Gale sighed and nodded reluctantly, “You know I trust you, I always have... I’ll keep Stryg safe if that’s what you wish.”

  Gian poured her another cup of tea, “Thank you, it means a lot.”

~~~

  Elzri tapped his desk with the tips of his fingers. He stared at the five teachers and three students who had been called into his office. 

  Vayu Glaz kept a polite posture and bowed to Elzri; House Glaz’s manners were as scrupulous as usual. Tauri Katag stood at attention, arms at her side, her eyes looking straight ahead. The dwarf, Cornelius Rotrusk stood a few paces away, stealing the occasional glance at Tauri.

  Loh, well, Loh was her usual self, lounging in a chair in the corner. Ismene stood next to the window and rested her weight on her steel-tipped cane.

  Sylvie and Callum Veres stood in the other corner, talking to each other in small whispers as they passed the time. Freya Goldelm fiddled with one of her bracelets, a sapphire-studded golden band.

  The door swung open and Stryg burst into the office, out of breath. He quickly took in the room, spotting each individual. His lilac eyes settled on Elzri and his dour expression.

  “You’re late,” Elzri said curtly.

  “I was at a temple in the Commoner District and… Sorry, I lost track of time,” Stryg bowed his head.

  “...It’s fine.” Elzri reached into one of the desk’s drawers and pulled out a map, “Now that we’re all here, we can begin to discuss the plans for your journey to Undergrowth.

  “The rumors you’ve no doubt heard are true, the valley tribes have become much more aggressive these last few months. However, your parents,” Elzri stared pointedly at Freya, Callum, and Vayu, “are leading their armies in Dusk Valley as we speak. The roads are fairly safe thanks to their efforts. And to ensure that there will be no repeat of last year’s… unfortunate events, I have asked Professor Ismene to join you on this journey. She will lead your party as you travel to Undergrowth and you will all listen to her instruction, is that clear?”

  “Yes, Lord Noir,” the students and teachers said in unison, all except for one.

  Elzri looked at the anxious Loh expectantly, “Is that clear?”

  “Huh? Oh, um, yes, of course.” Loh cleared her throat, “Yes, grandfather. There will be no repeat of last year’s events. I’ll make sure of it, no matter the cost.”

  “Lighten up, Elohnoir, we’ll be fine,” Ismene winked.   

  Loh frowned, but said nothing.

  “Professor Ismene is right,” Elzri said. “I expect you will all be fine traveling the roads of Dusk Valley, but your journey will not end there. The Great City of Undergrowth is situated deep in Glimmer Grove forest. Glimmer Grove may not be nearly as dangerous as Vulture Woods, but it is still dangerous. The paths are winding and beasts are lurking in the trees. Many foreign travelers lose their way each year.”

  Elzri raised his index finger, “Which is why I have hired the Hunters Guild. Some of their hunters will be waiting for you a few leagues outside the forest. They will act as your guides in Glimmer Grove and lead you to Undergrowth safely.”    

  “Now, on to my next point.” Elzri pointed at the four chosen students, “As you all are aware, the tourney will be starting a few weeks late this year, due to the snow in Frost Rim’s mountain path thawing late. Because of this delay, the academic year has ended before the tourney has begun. Technically speaking, you should have graduated with the rest of your class last week and been granted the rank of adept. However, since the tourney is for 3rd-year students, your graduation ceremony will be postponed until the end of the tourney and will be held in Undergrowth with the other cities’ chosen.”

  Elzri pointed at the orichalcum amulet around his neck, “You will also be given a silver mage amulet adorned with a gem for each of your chromatic colors. The amulet represents your status as a mage, the culmination of your coming of age ceremony so to speak. You may not have your amulet just yet, but make no mistake, the four of you are mages now in full. You are no longer novices, whether in experience or skill. You are adepts in all but name, remember that when you represent this academy and this city in Undergrowth’s stadium.”

  Stryg, Freya, Callum, and Sylvie nodded solemnly.

  “Which leads us to our last order of business,” Elzri said. “The choosing of a team captain.”

  “Captain?” Stryg asked.

  “Yes,” Elzri nodded. “Every team at the tourney will have one. The captain will be in charge of receiving orders from the judges and relaying them to their team, keeping the team organized and morale high. The captains are also in charge of giving their team’s opening speech.”

  Elzri reached into his white robes and pulled out a golden ring with the insignia of Hollow Shade, a black sun with a skull at its center. “Based on everything I’ve just said, Stryg and Sylvie are clearly ruled out.”

  “What? Why?” Stryg glared.

  “What he said,” Sylvie frowned.

  Elzri stared at them indifferently, “Stryg, you’re too aggressive. Even when you are calm, it doesn’t take much to set you off. Sylvie, from what your teachers have told me, you often do not take matters seriously. You are also unable to connect with Stryg, a team captain must be able to communicate clearly with each of their teammates. Not to mention neither of you is good at dealing with high-stakes political situations. Shall I continue?”

  “No thanks,” Sylvie smiled with a wince.

  Stryg sighed and bowed his head, “Understood, Lord Noir.”

  Elzri looked at Callum, “You have the most experience in the political spectrum of aristocratic society. You would be the best candidate to represent Hollow Shade at the tourney.”

  Callum smiled and bowed deeply, “Thank you, Lord Noir. I am honore-”

  “However,” Elzri spoke over him. “The nature of your acceptance into this team is questionable. Had it not been for Nora Azol’s sudden resignation in your final match, you would not have been one of our four chosen. Therefore, I will not award you the title of captain over your teammates.”

  Callum swallowed hard, “...I understand.”

  Sylvie looked at Callum with sympathy.

  “Freya, step forward,” Elzri said.

  “Yes, my lord,” she said respectfully.

  “Hold out your hand,” Elzri said.

  Freya raised her hand and tried hard not to smile in excitement.

  “You have been trained in the art of politics since little and you have excelled in your mage classes since your first year at the academy. It is clear to me that you, Freya of the Great House of Goldelm, are worthy of the title of captain.” Elzri slipped the golden ring over her middle finger. “Carry our city’s name with honor and hold your team together when the enemy threatens to tear them apart. Make Hollow Shade proud, captain.”

  “Yes, my lord,” Freya smiled wide.

  “Very good.” Elzri sat back in his chair and glanced at everyone in the room, “Any questions?”

 

 

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